The Drawbacks of a High Backyard Fence

Building a fence in your backyard is a great way to increase your home’s privacy and security. However, it is important to remember that there are potential drawbacks to having a high backyard fence. In this article, we will discuss the key considerations you should keep in mind before installing a tall backyard fence.

How high can a backyard fence be

Backyard fences are structures that are designed to enclose the inside of a yard or garden for either decorative or practical use. Typical materials for backyard fences include wood, vinyl, composite, aluminum, chain link and wrought iron. A backyard fence may serve various purposes depending on the intended uses, including security, privacy and visual appeal.

Aside from materials being used to construct a high backyard fence, another important feature to consider is the height of the fence. Fence heights typically range from 3 feet (0.9 meters) to 8 feet (2.4 meters). Some jurisdictions may impose specific regulations on the maximum allowable height of a yard fence in order to maintain an overall aesthetic appearance in residential areas as well as provide walkability or unobstructed public views in certain areas such as waterfronts or parks.

If a homeowner decides to build a higher backyard fence without following local codes and ordinances, there could be consequences such as fines or having to take down the fence due unforeseen problems like decreased visibility while driving through streets lined with tall fences. Additionally, there may be complaints from neighbors who feel their views have been blocked due to overly tall fences obstructing their view of nearby parks or bodies of water.

Benefits of a High Fence

A high backyard fence can provide many benefits for homeowners, such as increased privacy, security and noise reduction. While a high fence may be beneficial in some ways, there are also some potential drawbacks that should be taken into consideration before making a decision. In this article, we will look at the pros and cons of a high backyard fence, so you can make an informed decision.

• Pros:
• Cons:

Increased privacy

A high backyard fence provides a feeling of being fully encased, secluded, and private. With increased privacy from neighbors, the sound from outdoor activities such as music, loud conversations, children playing, and parties are no longer an issue.

In addition to providing more privacy for homeowners, a high backyard fence also adds security. By deterring unwanted visitors or burglars from entering your backyard, it increases peace of mind in knowing that your property is protected against any type of interference or intrusion.

A higher-than-average fence can also reduce the amount of light entering a yard which provides homeowners with more control over the atmosphere in their outdoor space. Less noise and light means less stress levels while you take pleasure in the natural beauty of your outdoor space. Moreover, you will be able to enjoy amenities such as swimming pools or hot tubs with greater comfort and relaxation knowing that your privacy is taken care of by the height of the fence surrounding your property.

Protection from animals

A tall fence can provide excellent protection from potentially aggressive animals, such as bears and cougars. A high fence can also protect small children, pets, and livestock from straying into danger. Additionally, with the right height and construction, rodents and other unwanted animals – like skunks – can be kept out of your backyard area.

Furthermore, fencing your yard with a six or seven foot fence is likely to deter burglars who would prefer an easier target to break into. The presence of a high fence may make it twice as difficult to get in, thereby discouraging any potential robbers.

Finally, if you live in a part of the country where neighborhood disputes are common or simply want a bit of peace from nosy neighbors that won’t take the hint when you politely request privacy in your backyard area, installing a higher than average fence is likely to discourage peeking eyes. This can be especially useful for maintaining a sense of normality when it comes to cooking out or enjoying time with family in your own backyard space.

Enhanced security

One of the biggest advantages of having a high fence is increased security. A high fence will help keep trespassers out of your backyard, deter theft, and limit access to your property. A sturdy fence can act as a physical and psychological barrier that lets you and your family relax in peace knowing that you’re protected from unwanted intruders.

Furthermore, having a tall fence is also beneficial to areas prone to severe weather as it helps protect your home from possible damage. High fences can also provide extra protection from pets running into the street or other hazards like stray balls or wildlife coming too close. Additionally, a high fence makes it more difficult for people to view the inside of your yard and adds extra privacy for you and your family.

Drawbacks of a High Fence

Building a high backyard fence is sometimes seen as a way to ensure privacy, safety, and security. But there are quite a few drawbacks to having a fence that is too high in your yard.

From potential legal problems to the possible disruption of the surrounding landscape, we’ll go over the drawbacks of having a fence that is too high in your backyard:

• Potential legal problems.
• Possible disruption of the surrounding landscape.

Potential for zoning violations

When you are deciding on the height of a fence for your backyard, potential zoning violations should be considered. Building a fence higher than the allowed height in your local zoning codes may result in stiff fines or fees. Most residential neighborhoods have maximum heights for fences between 6 and 8 feet, but research your local regulations before building a fence taller than what is allowed in your area.

Height restrictions vary depending on the location of the property as well as other factors. For example, corner lots often require that fences are not built higher than they are wide to ensure visibility of oncoming traffic at intersections. Additionally, if the proposed fence is located along an alley right-of-way or within 50 feet of floodplain areas, it must meet additional requirements set by federal regulations.

The placement of electronics such as security cameras also needs to be taken into account when deciding how high to build a fence. Some cities have laws preventing cameras from being mounted above 8 feet or completely banning their use altogether. Additionally, if you live in a private neighborhood with covenants and restrictions, you may need to seek permission from your homeowner’s association before installing a tall fence due to potential setbacks and aesthetic guidelines that need to be met for enhancing neighborhood property values.

Decreased view of the outdoors

Having a high fence to surround your backyard doesn’t just provide privacy, but it can also offer some level of protection from unwanted people. However, this also means that your view of the outdoors is decreased since you are limited to seeing only what is immediately in front of the fence. Depending on the height and density of your fence, it can be difficult to even get a glimpse of an open sky or nearby landscape beyond.

This may not be an issue for some homeowners who don’t prioritize having an open view from their backyards – but if your yard is connected with a body of water or beautiful mountain tops, you may miss out on taking in the beauty and serenity that come with such landscapes.

Limited natural light

A high fence in your backyard can be a great way to increase your home’s privacy. However, there are certain drawbacks to consider. One of these drawbacks is increased darkness due to the lack of natural light that can reach the area located behind a tall fence. This can lead to diminished opportunities for activities such as gardening or hosting backyard socials, as well as reduced visibility, especially during the evening hours.

Additionally, it also inhibits a connection with nature and its many advantages, such as reduced stress and improved physical and mental health studies have found by being exposed to natural environments with plenty of sunlight. Therefore it is important to think critically before increasing the height of your yard’s fence in order to make an educated decision which considers the potential negative impacts on you and your home’s environment.

Conclusion

As it has been outlined in this article, there are both pros and cons to having a high backyard fence. On one hand, it can provide an increased level of privacy and security; on the other hand, it can be an eyesore, be difficult to maintain, and can even raise contentious issues with neighbors.

Ultimately, the decision to install a high backyard fence should be made with careful consideration of the potential drawbacks:

• It can be an eyesore.
• It can be difficult to maintain.
• It can raise contentious issues with neighbors.

How to balance the benefits and drawbacks of a high fence

Building a high fence in your backyard can have many pros and cons. It can offer privacy, restrict your neighbours’ view of what you are doing, and add value to the property. However, it can also be expensive to construct, may obstruct the view from inside your house, and potentially frustrate your neighbours if it is too high or unattractive. When deciding whether or not a high fence is right for you, it’s important to consider how to balance the benefits and drawbacks for both sides.

To ensure that everyone derives some enjoyment from the new fence, there are several simple steps you can take. The first is to communicate with your neighbours both before and during the construction of the fence. Let them know why you want a high fence (for example, privacy or security), as well as your intentions once finished (e.g., adding aesthetic features such as plants or lights). This will show that you respect their opinion and sets an open dialogue for any potential complaints down the line.

It is also important to follow applicable building codes when putting up a high fence; this ensures both safety standards and neighborly relations are satisfied. If possible; be conscious of neighbors’ sightlines in terms of placement and design so that their view isn’t obstructed by an errant post–you could even discuss options with them ahead of time if you know where exactly it will be going up! Additionally, though a higher-looking fence won’t always need additional permits due to height regulations; consider these other elements when discuss with local authorities–such as whether screening products such as vines are necessary or if night-time lighting should be added for extra visibility at nightfall.

Finally, take into consideration material options for the design of your fence that could be more aesthetically pleasing than metal gates/panels–think composite woods/materials that are more friendly on eyesight than cold metallic finishes! With these considerations being factored into moving forward with a higher fences decision making process; you’ll successfully maintain peaceful neighbourly relations while reaping all benefits intended from installing one around home property!