Privacy Fence Installation in Peterborough

A privacy fence turns an overlooked backyard into a private room. We build them in two materials, wood and vinyl, and the right choice comes down to how much upkeep you want and how long you plan to stay.

Either way, the job is the same underneath: posts below the frost line, a height your bylaw allows, and gates that still close in January.

How tall can a privacy fence be?

This is the first question at almost every estimate. Rules vary by town, but here's what some of the towns we work in allow in rear and side yards:

• Cobourg: up to 1.8 m (about 6 ft) within 2 m of a rear or side lot line, and 0.75 m in the front yard
• Selwyn Township (Lakefield): up to 1.8 m, and 1 m in the front yard
• Asphodel-Norwood: up to 2.0 m, and 1.0 to 1.2 m in the front yard
• Kawartha Lakes (Lindsay, Omemee): up to 2 m in most residential areas
• Corner lots: lower heights inside the sight triangle at intersections and driveways
• Pools: an enclosure of at least 1.2 m (4 ft) in most towns here, and 1.83 m (6 ft) in Cobourg

For a Peterborough address, and anywhere else, exact limits depend on your lot and whether you're on a corner. We check the rules for your address at the estimate, so you never build a fence and then have to cut it down. Our fence height guide covers this in more detail.

Corner lots

Corner lots lose the most privacy to sight triangles. A stepped design usually wins most of it back: lower near the street, full height where it's allowed. We measure the triangle on site and draw the fence line before we quote.

Wood or vinyl for privacy

	Wood (cedar or pressure-treated)	Vinyl
Cost per foot	Lower	Higher up front
Upkeep	Wash or stain every 2 to 4 years	A rinse with the hose
Custom shapes	Easy: lattice tops, arched gates, caps	Fewer options
Best for	Privacy on a budget, custom details	Staying put for years, windy lots

Wood costs less today and needs regular staining. Vinyl costs more today and asks almost nothing of you after. If you plan to stay five years or more, vinyl usually pays you back. If you're watching the budget, a cedar or pressure-treated fence built with deep posts will outlast your stay.

More on each: wood fences and vinyl fences.

Privacy styles we build

• Board-on-board wood: overlapping boards, no see-through gaps
• Solid panel wood or vinyl: a clean, flat face
• Lattice tops: a softer top line on a tall fence
• Hot tub and patio screens: short sections where you need cover, open where you don't
• Semi-private vinyl: some screening without a solid wall

Privacy fences and dogs

Dogs that react to everything passing by often settle down behind solid boards, because they can't see what's out there. You get privacy too. It costs more than chain link and wood needs staining, but it looks like landscaping instead of a kennel. For those yards we keep the bottom board tight to the ground and use solid gate latches. See chain link vs wood for dogs.

How the job runs

1. Free on-site estimate. We walk the property lines, settle height and gate locations, and check your bylaw.
2. Price in writing. Per foot, gates and extras, before any digging.
3. Install. Posts augered below frost and set in concrete, then rails, boards or panels, then gates.

Most residential privacy runs take 1 to 3 days once the materials are on site.

Is a privacy fence right for your yard?

A privacy fence is a good fit if you want:

• Privacy from close neighbours
• A screened hot tub or patio
• Kids and pets kept in the yard

Think twice if:

• You want to keep an open view, say of a lake. Look at ornamental iron.
• Budget is the main concern on a big yard. Chain link costs the least per foot.

Where we build privacy fences

We build them across Peterborough, Cobourg, Lindsay, Campbellford and the rest of our service area. Comparing materials? Read wood vs vinyl for Ontario winters and our fence cost guide.

Ready for a number? Book a free estimate or call (705) 977-2531.