When installing a wood fence, does it matter which side faces your neighbor's house?

Question

I have just installed a wooden privacy fence. One of my neighbors is quite upset that I put the "ugly side" on his side. His side is the side where you can see the posts and crossboards. His property is poorly maintained and the fence was installed to screen our view.
Is there some fencing ettiquette that I have breached or is the method of installation a matter of preference?

Answer 1

Most of our customers in Central Florida opt to have the "ugly" side of their fence facing in, out of respect to their neighbors. You could always just build a shadowbox style fence in which both sides look exactly the same.

http://www.fenceorlando.com

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Most ppl put the "ugly side" so that they can see it NOT so others and the public can see it. Is it ettiquette I wouldnt say it was but would you want to see the "ugly side" if your neighbor was the one who had put the fence up?

I live in a very upperclass gated community and anyone that puts up a privacy fence must put the "ugly side" so that the public and neighbors can not view it.

Personally if I was driving down your road and saw the posts out I'd laugh thinking that you didnt know what you were doing. No offense

Answer 4

first, i must say that your neighbor should be thankful that such a decorative fence borders his property and that you've allowed him privacy to create the mess that he prefers. Next, maybe when he complains again, you might ask him to kick in for the other half of the fence and you would be more than happy to lend an hand in installing a moredecorative side....also let him know (ps? I;ve been where you are) that its not your responsibility to maintain his property. Its a PRIVACY fence...stay out.

Answer 5

When constructing a fence that has a good side and a let's say not so good side, the good side should face away from your property. You would have to nail the finished fence from the neighbor's side. Some towns and counties enforce this rule and it is also proper etiquette.

Answer 6

Well typically a fence is used to make a property look good from the outside. The smooth side of the fence is the side visible to passerbys an onlookers. Your neighbor probably feels like you built him a fence and he doesn't want it.
When you're in a backyard that is fenced in, you expect to see the "ugly" side of the fence.

Answer 7

Just as long as there isn't nails sticking out the other side, it should be fine other than him being angry about it. My parents took their neighbor to court after my daughter ran into a nail sticking out of their ugly fence and the judge made them install a second fence on the other side.

Answer 8

The old saying should read good neighbors make good fences. My neighbor wanted a fence. She had the good sense and good manners to consult us before going ahead. In turn we shared the cost and got the nice side facing us. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone got along as well?

Answer 9

I didnt pay thousands of dollars to look at the ugly side of a fence, besides, my neighbor already called the township and it isnt illegal the way i have it. I may had been more considerate if he had been a good neighbor but at 65 he felt it was needed to sit in his driveway for a hour a day reving up the engine on an old beat up muscle car lol. Check local regs but if u pay, u shouldnt have to look at an ugly side!!! Especially if u put up the fence due to offensive neighbors! Mine used to poke my pure bred boxer with a broom handle over my fence, in my yard!!!

Answer 10

Our city has an ordinance that makes a homeowner face the attractive side of the fence towards the neighbors. I think it's nonsense, but it's the law. One can, however, double face the fence to make both sides attractive.