Imagine how you would feel if your neighbor put up a fence that looked great from his yard, but looked bad from your side of it. If it's a tall wooden fence with posts and protruding nails for you to live with, it's a bummer. It's even worse if the owner maintains his side of the fence but not yours.
As back yards have evolved into furnished outdoor rooms, homeowners who spend thousands of dollars on everything from grill islands to day beds don't want to look at exposed posts and screw holes on neighbors' fences.
Today, more towns and neighborhood associations are responding with ordinances that require the smooth, finished side of every new fence to face the neighbor's yard. Fence manufacturers are responding with new kinds of fencing that look better on both sides and are easier to maintain. They are expensive, but they make it easier to be a good neighbor.
Manufacturers of wood-plastic composites now make fencing. Composite fences are constructed from panels that are inserted into top and bottom rails. There are no unsightly support posts and they come in a range of colors.
Traditional wooden fences can be built to look the same on both sides, but cost up to 20 percent more. According to research firm Freedonia Group, vinyl fence purchases are growing three times faster than wood because they require little maintenance.
But you can't please everyone. One Florida community has banned them because of their "obvious plastic look." Fences made of wood composites, however, look just like real wood.
