A fence solves privacy at ground level. Being overlooked from an upstairs window is a different problem, and fencing barely touches it.
Fencing works well against being seen from neighbouring gardens and from the street. Height, solidity and a well-chosen style do most of the work.
It works far less well against upstairs windows, where the sight line comes over the top of anything you can reasonably build. That needs planting, a pergola or a screened seating area instead.
| Overlooked from | Does fencing help? |
|---|---|
| Neighbouring garden at ground level | Yes — this is what fencing does |
| A footpath or street | Yes |
| A neighbour's patio or decking | Partly, depending on levels |
| An upstairs window | Barely — the sight line goes over it |
| A raised garden above yours | Partly; height helps but rarely solves it |
| A block of flats | Not really — consider planting or a covered area |
Worth establishing before spending, because the commonest disappointment with a privacy fence is that it was built to solve a problem fencing cannot solve.
Tell us what you need and we will arrange a free quotation.
In an established garden the best privacy is usually a combination rather than a fence alone. A fence at permitted height gives the ground-level screening immediately; planting in front of it — or trellis with climbers on top — adds effective height, softens the boundary, and keeps growing. It is also considerably less contentious with a neighbour than a solid wall of timber, because it reads as a garden rather than a barrier.
See what our garden fencing service covers in Kingswood, or read more about the service across the areas we work in.
Yes, against neighbouring gardens and the street. Height, solid styles, no gaps at the base and a consistent line do most of the work.
Barely. The sight line goes over anything you can reasonably build, so planting, a pergola or a screened seating area is the better answer.
As a general guide up to two metres, or one metre next to a vehicle highway — but conservation areas, listed buildings and restrictive covenants can all change that.
Usually both. A fence gives ground-level screening immediately; planting in front adds effective height, softens the boundary and keeps growing.
The fence. Planting in front of a finished fence is far easier than working around established planting.
Closeboard and solid panels. Hit-and-miss gives privacy from most angles while letting wind through, which suits exposed positions.
More wind load so better posts are needed, more shade in your own garden, and the space can feel enclosed rather than private.
Then screen that spot. A screen or planting at the seating area often achieves more than fencing the whole boundary.
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