What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

"davew" wrote in message
om...
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Since it is your fence you can do what you want. Obviously your neighbor
isn't going to be happy if you put the ugly side towards him. You have to
ask yourself if that is important to you. I would probably find a fence
that looked good on both sides That seems like a win-sin situation.

On 11 Aug 2004 13:00:29 -0700, (davew) wrote:

What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Try checking your state's statutes. In Wisconsin there is a whole chapter on
the law books about boundary fencing - what type of fence is allowed, who
maintains which portion of the fence, etc., etc. It probably varies from
state to state.

HTH,
Lisa M.

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. - Grandma Moses

davew wrote:
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

When I was growing up, the "pretty" side always faced outward. That
would mean facing the neighbors. It's only recently that I've seen
exceptions to that convention.

Here's the thing. If I put up a fence, and turn the ugly side towards
the neighbors, they either have to look at the ugly side, or go through
the expense to screen it. If putting up the fence was my idea, then the
right thing would be for me to give them the side that doesn't need
screening. I can then screen my side of the fence.

I've also seen more fences that don't have "pretty" sides. The "good
neighbor" 6' cedar fence, with vertical slats alternating from one side
to the other is a really popular one. Horizontal slats basket-weaved
around spaces between posts is a nice one, too.

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: Books for the Pacific Northwest gardener:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/nwgarden/index.html

From: Lisa M.


On 11 Aug 2004 13:00:29 -0700, (davew) wrote:

What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Try checking your state's statutes. In Wisconsin there is a whole chapter on
the law books about boundary fencing - what type of fence is allowed, who
maintains which portion of the fence, etc., etc. It probably varies from
state to state.

HTH,
Lisa M.


What makes this complicated is that the OP is posting from the U.K.

"HA HA Budys Here" wrote in message
...
From: Lisa M.


On 11 Aug 2004 13:00:29 -0700, (davew) wrote:

What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Try checking your state's statutes. In Wisconsin there is a whole
chapter on
the law books about boundary fencing - what type of fence is allowed, who
maintains which portion of the fence, etc., etc. It probably varies from
state to state.

HTH,
Lisa M.


What makes this complicated is that the OP is posting from the U.K.

Since there are fence designs that look good on both sides, it really
shouldn't be an issue unless there is some other factor (grudge match,
pay-back, spite, etc.) that is driving the decision. I have heard of
situations where a neighbor will contribute to the project to up-grade the
fence to something mutually pleasing. I think it is a mistake to frame the
issues as being limited to putting in a fence that only looks good on one
side and having to make a choice who get to look at the pretty side.

On 11 Aug 2004 13:00:29 -0700, (davew)
wrote:

===What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
===as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
===a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
==="pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
===garden?
===
===Answers on a post card please (or my email address)
===
===Regards
===
===Davew

As long as its your fence and your buying it, you can put it up any
which way you desire............ I put all my fence up on my property
so its a minimum of 4 feet off the property line as it saves disputes
when I want to change things at a later date and also keep neighbors
from hanging stuff or pileing up junk against it. I leave enough room
for my L & G tractor to cut the grass and do what ever may be
necessary on the "other" side of the fence like repairs etc. Your
friendly good neighbors could move tomorrow and you could windup with
some jerks........ Then again if you do not have much property that
can be sacrificed by installing fencing off the property line yo may
not have any other choice.
Visit my website: http://www.frugalmachinist.com
Opinions expressed are those of my wife,
I had no input whatsoever.
Remove "nospam" from email addy.

"davew" wrote in message
om...
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Hi Dave,

AFAIK there is nothing in UK law that states which way round a fence should
face, the normal convention is that you put the good face towards your
neighbour. However check your deeds as you may find that the boundary
belongs to your neighbour, and they 'might' put up a fence with the good
side facing you.

Bear in mind that if you are concreting the posts in, you may have to come
back from the boundary line, so you can dig the footings on your property.

Having said that, I'd suggest erecting a fence that looks good from both
sides, post and rail, standard lapped panels, interlap panels, trellis
panels or plastic coated chain link. Both Jewson
http://www.jewsonlandscaping.co.uk/index.html and B&Q http://www.diy.com
have brochures on fencing so you can show your neighbour what you plan on
doing.

FYI there is a UK specific gardening newsgroup at uk.rec.gardening

HTH

Cheers

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk

Some communities have zoning rules about which side is out.
In my case, there were no rules for pretty side out or in, only for height
restrictions because I am on a traffic corner.
I gave my good neighbor the pretty side, and I gave the bad neighbor the
ugly side.
Perry
"davew" wrote in message
om...
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

(davew) wrote:

What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Check local ordinances. Most fence ordinances that I've seen
require the finished side to be towards the neighbor.

My brother's neighbor put up a board fence right on the property line.
It had nice broad cross-pieces, & since his side had a southern
exposure he was eyeing those crosspieces as nice shelves for some
dangling plants.

Then the building inspector arrived & made the neighbor switch the
fence around. My brother was out there when the inspector and
neighbor were discussing the fence & he stated his desire that the
fence remain as it was. No dice-- The neighbor had to change the
fence to comply with the code. Managed to make both homeowners
unhappy with just one ruling.


Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Reap as you sow-- if you can post here, you can stop back to read
your answers.


Jim

"davew" wrote in message
om...
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Simply install a "good neighbor" fence ( boards/panels alternate from side
to side of the cross-members) and the issue is moot. Both sides will look
exactly the same.

http://www.ufpi.com/product/wfence/sbdesbx.htm

pam - gardengal

There is a security factor involved. I've read that the good, flat,
vertical side should face the neighbors since it more difficult to climb
over to enter your property. The side with the horizontal rails is easier
to climb.

However, I would think anyone with criminal intent could care less and still
gain entry.

nonews

"Pam - gardengal" wrote in message
news:cd7Tc.144114$eM2.138077@attbi_s51...

"davew" wrote in message
om...
What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew

Simply install a "good neighbor" fence ( boards/panels alternate from side
to side of the cross-members) and the issue is moot. Both sides will look
exactly the same.

http://www.ufpi.com/product/wfence/sbdesbx.htm

pam - gardengal

nonews wrote:
There is a security factor involved. I've read that the good, flat,
vertical side should face the neighbors since it more difficult to
climb
over to enter your property. The side with the horizontal rails is
easier
to climb.

However, I would think anyone with criminal intent could care less and
still
gain entry.


Yeah. Like through the gate. The same way help and emergency services
get in.


--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Blatant Plug: Electric and cordless power tools for the garden:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blac...ker/index.html

"Warren" wrote in message
news:kC9Tc.1821$TI1.389@attbi_s52...
nonews wrote:
There is a security factor involved. I've read that the good, flat,
vertical side should face the neighbors since it more difficult to
climb
over to enter your property. The side with the horizontal rails is
easier
to climb.

However, I would think anyone with criminal intent could care less and
still
gain entry.


Yeah. Like through the gate. The same way help and emergency services
get in.


And, since it is described as a "boundary fence" as opposed to a privacy
fence, it may only be 4 feet high.

davew wrote:

What is the convention when installing panel fencing along a boundry
as regards which way round the panels should be? I have entered into
a minor disagreement with a neighbour on this subject. Should the
"pretty" side face into my side or considerately out to the neighbours
garden?

Answers on a post card please (or my email address)

Regards

Davew


I think the pretty side was originally put facing out for security.
Someone can't stand on the lower rung to look into your yard if it's on
the inside.

You can alternate the pickets to make both sides look nice. This also
lets more wind pass through which is helpfull in windy places like here
where fences are prone to blowing down.

Just don't do like an old neighbor of mine did... he destroyed property
corners, built the fence well onto my property then asked me to
reimburse him for half his costs. Needless to say that didn't happen.
But hey, I could stand on the lower rung and stare into their house if I
wanted! ;-)

Laura B.