For those of you with a Privacy Fence, I need help.

[cindy0721]

May I ask, do you have the pretty side in or the side with the horizontal boards in? Hubby and I are waiting for this cold wet weather to finish so we can start on our fence finally, but we are seeing the pros and cons to putting which side in... any suggestions ?

[scoobiedooiscoo]

i guess the rule of thumb is pretty side out.

[Mom2BabyNatalie]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

May I ask, do you have the pretty side in or the side with the horizontal boards in? Hubby and I are waiting for this cold wet weather to finish so we can start on our fence finally, but we are seeing the pros and cons to putting which side in... any suggestions ?

Well, we live in an Oklahoma City residential area where the city ordinance states that.......... regardless of who actually paid for and built the fence, if the "smooth side" (pretty side) is facing your property, it's your fence... if the "back side" is facing your property, it's your neighbor's fence.

Also, when deciding to build a privacy fence in the city of OKC, you can request that your neighbor on that side to pay for half of the fence and installation... most comply.

This certainly doesn't apply everywhere... so you'll want to check with your city or county ordinance.

[Erin]

I live in a very picky town with all sorts of weird rules about that stuff. I would definitely agree you should check with your village hall. You need to call to find out if you need a permit anyway.

[Little Bit]

For the back yard a lot or people will put the pretty side in, since they will be the only ones seeing it. Depends on how close your neighbors are I guess. Definitely pretty side out in the front.

[cindy0721]

yes the front part has the pretty side out... I am just debating whether to put the pretty side in on the sides.. I am going to check my city ordinance the last thing I want is to build a fence for my neighbors.... and pay for it ... geez I had never heard that.. glad I asked... I was debating on asking one of my neighbors if he wanted to go 1/2 on it.. but I feel weird asking too... did any of you ask?

[Nikki+2]

Pretty side out.

[HallTx1203]

We are in a brand new Sub Division....The builder installs the fences when the home is built...
So with that info, We have the pretty side out on both front sides...And in the back...We have the pretty side in on the back fence and the right hand side and the ugly side on the left hand side.....They did this all the same all the way down the street...Why I have know idea....

Joyce

[TatumsMom]

At our old house that was in a subdivision, we had the pretty side in just because there were no neighbors on either side when we did it so it was our money and our choice. I've often wondered though..... is it easier for a prowler to scale the fence if the framework is on the outside (giving them better footing)?

And yes, definitely ask the neighbor to go in half with you. But in that case, how do you decide who gets the pretty side???

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by TatumsMom

At our old house that was in a subdivision, we had the pretty side in just because there were no neighbors on either side when we did it so it was our money and our choice. I've often wondered though..... is it easier for a prowler to scale the fence if the framework is on the outside (giving them better footing)?

And yes, definitely ask the neighbor to go in half with you. But in that case, how do you decide who gets the pretty side???

good question....thats my dilemma.. who gets what side..lol

[TatumsMom]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

good question....thats my dilemma.. who gets what side..lol

Well, I guess if they don't want to help pay for it, you get the side you prefer. Otherwise you have to hope that the neighbor is nice and you can both agree on a solution. Good luck!

[jp4m2]

Any time we installed wooden fencing the smooth side went facing out.....I preferred this anyway because I didn't want to provide a ladder to get into my yard with the horizontal boards running along the panel....I just planted pretty climbing vines to camouflage the fence.....

[cindy0721]

Originally Posted by jp4m2

Any time we installed wooden fencing the smooth side went facing out.....I preferred this anyway because I didn't want to provide a ladder to get into my yard with the horizontal boards running along the panel....I just planted pretty climbing vines to camouflage the fence.....

thats what I was thinking too.. I dont want to provide a means to climb over .... which is why I am leaning towards the smooth side out.... but the smooth side in does look so pretty...

[chachi]

Ours is pretty side out

[Tammyh]

Originally Posted by cindy0721

yes the front part has the pretty side out... I am just debating whether to put the pretty side in on the sides.. I am going to check my city ordinance the last thing I want is to build a fence for my neighbors.... and pay for it ... geez I had never heard that.. glad I asked... I was debating on asking one of my neighbors if he wanted to go 1/2 on it.. but I feel weird asking too... did any of you ask?

I would definitely ask your neighbors to pay for half of the part that runs between the two of you but if your neighbor does not want to pay I don't think you can force them. If they don't you should run the fence just on the inside of your property line (pretty side in), this way if down the road they want to fence in their yard they can't connect to your fence without your permission and at that time you can have them pay for their half.

As to the pretty side of the fence, we're on a corner lot so the pretty side is on the outside and I can't remember what we did on the part between us and our neighbor where we split the cost. It's been there so long I guess I don't think about it. I'll have to look when I get home.