Nosy neighbors- please read on to help us.........Serious ideas?

Question

We bought our home last November. This spring our set of neighbors to the south are about to drive us crazy! We have a screened porch (floor to ceiling) out back, and we love it. The problem is the end of the porch coinsides directly with the neighbors kitchen window and side door. Our business is their business.
We would like to stop this by blocking off that end of the porch. We have considered lattice, but that won't stop them. We do have a 6' fence, but they hang on it . We've tried roll down shades, and they look around them.
Does anyone have some serious ideas for how we can get our privacy? This porch was one of the big selling points for this house! We are completely open to serious ideas!!!! PS- Talking to them is like talking to the wall.....

Answer 1

Well I know that here in Arizona there is a thin bamboo sort of fencing that you can line porches with...you can't see thru it but the air does flow thru it...maybe that would block there view without ruing the effects of the screen...Check with your local Home Improvement store for the material or something similar. Also if they are coming onto your property..if you want to take it to another level report them to the authorities.

Answer 2

Short of a punch in the nose...I have some ideas.
You could install triple track storm windows. This would require some minor re-framing etc. but it's nothing that someone with some construction know-how couldn't do. The storms are relatively inexpensive as opposed to regular windows. The triple-track offers two panes of glass (upper and lower, as well as a screen on the lower portion. You'd need to carefully measure the openings that you want to create for the new storm windows and have them fabricated, or go with standard sizes that are available at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. Once the storms are installed, install reflective material (sun-shade) on the inside of the windows. This basically reflects the sun, making the room a little cooler. They won't be able to peer through this material. A punch in the nose still sounds like more fun, lol.

Answer 3

They hang on your fence to look over it or something? What? Check at the local nursery to see if they have some creeping vines with thorns that you can plant and run along the top of the fence. Looks nicer than barbed wire and does the job as well. Maybe you could try talking to them, are they mentally ill? If they deny it and still keep on doing it, I suggest you begin documenting their behavior. Get a video camera and catch them in the act. Film them hanging on your fence and peeking around the shades. Police will be much more responsive if you have documented proof of their activities.

Are they kids doing this? Can you talk to their parents if so?

You might want to look into getting a dog, many dogs get all hyper when they see someone peeking into their territory and that might scare them off if the dog is making a ruckus about it.

Answer 4

Plant a big tree between the porch and their window. Build a wall on that end of the porch. Make your fence higher in that area. Do all of the above.

Answer 5

I think the roll-up bamboo screen is a good idea.. particularly if it's on the south side of the porch.. that's the direction the sun comes in.. so it will help keep the porch shaded and cooler as the sun gets hotter..

.. or you and your significant other can moon them.

Answer 6

I think I would just take the private conversations inside from now on. I would do 1 of 2 things.... Set them up with a big gossip that is not harmful but embarrasing for them if they repeat it and it gets back to you....get it?? Have the other party aware of what is going down so no feelings are hurt that the rumor is about. Confront the neighbors on it and tell them to but out.........................OR

Hopefully you are a bad singer... which brings me to the point. Get your headphones on and play some wild rap music or such, anything...sing along as loud as you can long enough to annoy them to P them off and they will quit sticking their noses in where they don't belong; close the freakin' door and window.

If you want to beat a rat, think like one!

Answer 7

Would it be conceivable to add brackets for large hanging baskets onto the outside of your porch that might block some of their view?
You could paint the fence and turn it into a very long task- so that they might not be able to hang off of it for a while.
Maybe they are still just fascinated with your novelty ( being new neighbors)

Perhaps - you might just have to be ugly to them- to make them go away.

Answer 8

I can only speak from my own experiences. I learned rather late in life that, I have enough on my own plate right here in my own home sweet home, to keep me busy for the rest of my born days. I don't need any more 'drama' to add onto what I already have with my wonderful husband, six kids, three dogs, two cats, two birds, chickens, pigs, a few steers and a Beta fish! :D Peace and Blessings

Answer 9

I can see why this drives you crazy.
Ever tried runnig over there and start staring back at them?
Usually gives folks a hint, without talking.
Put up a small readable sign that says "Staring is RUDE."
At worst I'd call the police once, to report a peeping tom.
Say that you think you neighbor might be peeping at you.
Finally- A nosy neighbor is not always a bad thing...it stops theives sometimes.

Answer 10

Thick hedges should do the trick, go to a garden supply store and look for hedges that grow thick and tall. Hedges look nice and also serve as a natural barrier, go to the garden section of your local Home Depot.