6 and 8 foot fences in wood or vinyl, built heavy enough to stand up to wind and laid out to match the height rules where you live.
| Style | Privacy | Upkeep | Cost (relative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood dog-ear, single side | Good, small gaps open as boards shrink | Stain every few years | Lowest |
| Wood board-on-board | Full, no gaps | Stain every few years | Moderate |
| Wood horizontal | Full or near full | Stain every few years | Moderate to high |
| Vinyl tongue-and-groove | Full | Occasional wash | High |
See wood fences and vinyl fences for more on each material, or the cost guide for typical prices.
Six feet is the standard backyard privacy fence. Eight feet blocks a two-story neighbor's view or a busy road better, but it is not allowed everywhere:
Codes change, so we confirm the rule for your parcel before quoting. More detail is in our fence rules guide.
A solid fence acts like a sail. The 6 and 8 foot fences that fall over in a summer thunderstorm usually had shallow posts or posts spaced too far apart. For privacy fences we set posts deeper, keep spacing tight (closer still on 8 foot fences), and use three rails instead of two on taller sections so the pickets stay straight.
Depends on where you live. The City of Gainesville and Flowery Branch allow up to 8 feet outside the front yard. Unincorporated Hall County allows 7 feet in side and rear yards. HOAs often limit it to 6. We check before quoting.
Wood costs less up front and can be repaired board by board. Vinyl costs more but needs almost no upkeep. If you plan to stay a long time and hate staining, vinyl usually wins over the life of the fence.
A properly built one handles normal thunderstorms. The fences that blow over usually have shallow or widely spaced posts. A falling tree will take out any fence, and that is usually a homeowners insurance claim.
In unincorporated Hall County, fences built within the height and material rules generally do not need a building permit. Cities set their own rules, and taller fences may need approval. We tell you before you commit.
