We’re installing a new fence. My husband says the fence must face our neighbor’s side, but I want the pretty side facing us. He thinks there’s a correct way to…….

2. The Unwritten Rules of Neighbor Etiquette

Even if your local zoning laws don’t explicitly require it, facing the smooth side outward is widely considered standard neighborly etiquette.

Putting the “ugly” side—the side showing the vertical posts and horizontal support rails—facing your neighbor can feel a bit like throwing your backyard clutter over the property line. Giving your neighbors the finished view keeps the peace and prevents property line disputes or awkward glances over the driveway.

3. Security and Practicality

Believe it or not, keeping the structural side on the inside of your yard is actually a significant security benefit for your home.

• The Ladder Effect: The horizontal rails of a fence act exactly like the rungs of a ladder. If those rails face outward toward the rest of the world, you are essentially providing potential intruders with an incredibly easy way to climb right over your fence and into your yard.

• Maintenance Access: When the posts and rails are inside your property line, it is much easier for you to inspect, seal, paint, or repair the structural integrity of your fence without having to step onto your neighbor’s grass.

How to Compromise: The Best of Both Worlds

If you absolutely cannot stand the idea of looking at structural posts and rails in your dream backyard, you don’t have to settle for a design you hate. There are a few excellent workarounds:

• Go “Sandwich” Style (Double-Sided Fencing): You can opt for a board-on-board or “shadowbox” fence design. These styles alternate the pickets on both sides of the central rails, meaning the fence looks completely finished and identical from both your yard and your neighbor’s yard.

• Incorporate Landscaping: Install the fence correctly (pretty side out), and use the interior structural side to your advantage. The horizontal rails are perfect for hanging vertical planters, stringing outdoor fairy lights, or training climbing vines and ivy. You can also plant a row of lush shrubs or tall perennials to naturally camouflage the posts.

• Talk to Your Neighbors: If you live in an area without strict zoning laws, talk to your neighbors. If they genuinely do not care about the view, or if their side is completely blocked by their own garage or thick brush, you might get the green light to face the pretty side inward—just get it in writing to protect yourself if they ever sell their home