Privacy fences are an excellent investment for homeowners who want to protect their properties or contain children and pets. But which side of the fence should face the neighbor? As a property owner in Lakeland, FL, you want to follow state guidelines, but you also want to look out over an attractive fence.
My Fence Company’s residential fencing experts in Lakeland, FL, offer advice about fence etiquette for homeowners. Use the information below to help you make decisions and be a good neighbor.
Types of Residential Fences
You can choose from a variety of fence posts to outline your property lines. Many people explore the following residential fences:
- Wooden picket fences
- Chain link fences
- Ornamental aluminum fences
- Vinyl fences
Each fence type offers an attractive view for both sides.
But you’ll still have what contractors call a finished side and an unfinished side. What does each side look like? And which side of the fence should face the neighbor?
Which Side of My Fence Should Face the Neighbor?
The finished side of a fence, also known as the face, features each board or post with a uniform, flat surface. Many homeowners find this side more attractive and therefore want the fence’s face positioned toward their home. The face is also the strongest side since all hardware and supports on the back can handle more impact. The front surface more evenly disperses force.
The unfinished side, called the back, does not feature a flat, uniform surface. The property owner facing this side of the fence will have a full view of any hardware and support beams used to connect and secure the wood. This side is also weaker as it lacks a flat surface to disperse impact.
So which side of your fence should face the neighbor? The front side of the fence should face your neighbor while the back faces you. But as the person funding the project and installing it on your property, shouldn’t you get to enjoy the fence face?
Privacy fencing can cause arguments between neighbors as it stands. So, facing the front toward the neighbors provides them with the more appealing, uniform side. Most municipal fencing codes state that the property owner should position the front face to their neighbors.
Plus, this positioning provides your property with more protection from outsiders. Supports and hardware provide footholds to potential trespassers aiming to climb over it. If an external force impacts your fence, it will do less damage striking from the front.
How To Make the Fence Look More Attractive
If you plan to resurrect a classic wooden fence on only your dime, you can explore decorative projects to make the unfinished side look more attractive. Some homeowners do the following to improve their view:
- Plan and execute a unique mural or painting project
- Install twinkling light strings along the fence
- Plant and nurture vining plants that can crawl up the posts and bloom
Choosing Other Types of Privacy Fences
Despite looking at the support pieces, you can still opt for fence materials that provide a gorgeous view for your family. Explore the following options for a viewing experience that benefits you and your neighbors:
- Certain styles of vinyl fencing don’t require supports to stand tall and firm. You and your neighbor will see the same thing.
- Shadow box fencing is a style of picket fence that includes a double set of picket panels. You’ll still have traditional supports and hardware facing your property. But contractors will add a second row of panels on your side to cover it.
- Like vinyl fences, aluminum security fences look the same on both sides. Plus, this style includes ornate aluminum bars to prevent trespassers from entering your property.
- Although chain link fences include both a back and a face, they also look fairly similar regardless of the side. They also provide optimal security for people looking to contain animals.
Other Residential Fence Requirements to Consider in Lakeland, FL
The direction your fence faces isn’t the only requirement to consider before installing a fence in Lakeland, FL. You should also plan for:
- Building permits
- Height
- Property line identification
- Whether your neighbor influences fence construction
Review Floridian laws concerning fence construction. Speak with fencing contractors about municipal laws in Lakeland, FL.
Ensure Your Fence Follows All Regulations With My Fence Company
Which side of the fence should face your neighbor? Per proper etiquette and most building codes, your neighbors should enjoy the finished side’s view. But that shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying a privacy fence in your front yard.
Contact My Fence Company for a free estimate on your project.
