Who gets the nice side of the fence?

neighbor The finished side should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it's the standard. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. Otherwise, your fence will look like it was installed backward.

fenceauthority.com - Fence Etiquette: Who Gets the Good Side? - The Fence Authority

Should I put landscape fabric under gravel?

Should landscape fabric go under gravel? Yes. Putting landscape fabric under gravel isn't a requirement, but it is recommended. When used under...

Last updated Oct 13, 2022

Can you install electricity in a shed?

To run electricity to a shed or outdoor building, start by planning out the the electrical cable routing. Next, add a GFCI outlet to the home's...

Last updated Nov 1, 2018

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

When you get a new fence, you can’t just think about yourself—you have to consider your surrounding neighbors. If the type of fence you want is permitted in your neighborhood, you may feel you have the green light to install it. However, your fence may be in your yard, but your neighbors are still going to see it every day from their yards or windows. There are a few rules of fence etiquette you should keep in mind before you go forward with the installation.

Make sure your property lines are defined

Do you know where your property begins and ends—and are you really sure about that? It’s a good idea to check your house’s plat, which is a drawing that maps out your land. If you’ve lost this document, you may be able to get it free from your county’s records office. You can also hire a land surveyor to clarify the borders of your property. Additionally, a surveyor can place stakes along the boundary, giving you a clearer idea of exactly where your fence can go.

Talk to your neighbor

Provided your fence is definitely within your property lines and complies with neighborhood regulations, you may not actually be required to talk to your neighbors about it. Still, it’s common courtesy to ask—and it could save you future legal trouble if it turns out your neighbor wants to dispute your fence. Besides, if it’s going to be a divider between your yards, that could actually be something your neighbor is considering, too! You might find that you and your neighbor can collaborate on the project—and split the cost.

Face the finished side of the fence toward your neighbor

Certain kinds of fences have a finished side or a “good” side that looks smoother and more polished than the side with the rails and posts showing. In particular, the solid panel fences often used for privacy are generally constructed like this. The finished side should face toward your neighbor. Not only is this more polite, but it’s the standard. Your property will look a lot nicer with the “good” side facing the outside world. Otherwise, your fence will look like it was installed backward. However, many other types of fences look identical on both sides, and they’re often called “good neighbor fences” for this reason. You can install a double-sided privacy fence if you don’t like the way the inside of a fence looks. Double-sided fences are created with “sandwich construction,” which also makes them stronger.

Can I put a roof on my pergola?

A roof can easily be added to almost all styles of pergolas. There are many prebuilt and building plan pergola styles that already come with roofs...

Last updated Jun 25, 2020

What paper is best for blueprints?

Vellum plotter paper Vellum plotter paper is the preferred choice for printing a large volume of blueprints as it delivers crisp, clear blueprints....

Last updated Jul 10, 2022

Promotion

Continually maintain your fence

Of course, you want your fence to look the best it can—you don’t want the paint to fade or chip, you want to keep your fence clean, and you don’t want your wood to rot. However, this really isn’t only for your own benefit—if your fence becomes an eyesore, your surrounding neighbors won’t be very happy. It could even affect their property value if they decide to sell. Only get a fence that you can keep looking great. If you can’t handle the maintenance for a wood fence, you should consider a lower-maintenance material like vinyl or aluminum. A darker colored fence will also show less dirt than a lighter one and not need to be cleaned as often. If you follow these guidelines for fence etiquette, you’ll ultimately deal with a lot less stress and will find it easier to enjoy having a fence. Communicate with your immediate neighbors as you work on the project—don’t let it be an unpleasant surprise. You may discover that you’re surprised by how eager your neighbors are to cooperate and help you out. Have any other neighborly advice for homeowners looking to install a new fence? Leave a comment below!

fenceauthority.com - Fence Etiquette: Who Gets the Good Side? - The Fence Authority

How do you make a rubble foundation?

To construct a rubble trench foundation a narrow trench is dug down below the frost line. The bottom of the trench would ideally be gently sloped...

Last updated Sep 12, 2020

What should you consider before anchoring?

Along with evaluating the nature of the seabed when anchoring, these are the elements to be considered: direction and strength of wind and current,...

Last updated Feb 26, 2022

Promotion

What is Ireland's flower?

the shamrock Although arguably not exactly a flower, the shamrock is a small clover which is now the national flower of Ireland. It came to be so...

Last updated Nov 20, 2018

These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »

Promotion

How many vents should a shed have?

To install a wall vent, simply cut a hole in the siding to match the size of the vent. Next, attach the outside flange using a strong adhesive or...

Last updated Nov 1, 2019