A good privacy fence does more than mark your property line. It gives you a quiet place to relax, keeps pets and kids safely in, and blocks the view from the street or the neighbor’s deck. Across Durham, Raleigh, Cary and the rest of the Triangle, it’s one of the most popular projects we build.

Before you pick a style, it helps to know your choices, how tall you can go, and what your HOA may require. Here’s a simple guide.

Choosing the Right Privacy Fence for Your Triangle Home

Most privacy fences in our area are built from wood or vinyl. Both give you full coverage. The difference comes down to look, upkeep and budget. If you’re still weighing every material, our guide to choosing the right fence for your Raleigh-Durham home is a good place to start.

Wood Privacy Fence Styles

Wood is the classic choice. It looks natural, takes stain in any shade, and usually costs less up front. Popular styles include:

  • Dog-ear: Boards with clipped top corners. Simple, clean and budget friendly. We recently built a 6-foot dog-ear shadowbox fence in Durham.
  • Board-on-board: Boards overlap on both sides, so no gaps open up as the wood shrinks over time.
  • Solid board with an arched top: Full privacy with a softer, upscale look, like a recent project we finished in Cary.

See more styles on our wood fencing page, or browse real projects in our wood fence gallery.

Vinyl Privacy Fences

Vinyl won’t rot, splinter or need painting. It holds its color and cleans up with a garden hose. It costs more up front, but many homeowners love how little upkeep it needs.

Learn more about vinyl fencing, see finished jobs in our vinyl fence gallery, or check our vinyl fence cost guide for Durham.

6-Foot vs. 8-Foot: How Tall Can Your Privacy Fence Be?

Six feet is the most common privacy fence height. It blocks most views and fits most neighborhood rules. An 8-foot fence adds extra screening, which helps if your yard sits below a neighbor’s or backs up to a busy road, though it may need a permit first.

In Durham, a backyard fence 6 feet or shorter usually doesn’t need a permit. Taller fences and front yard fences have extra rules, and other towns set their own limits. Our guides to Durham fence rules, permits and height limits and Raleigh fence codes and permits break it down.

Check With Your HOA First

Many Triangle neighborhoods have an HOA, and most want to approve a privacy fence before it goes in. They often set:

  • Maximum height
  • Approved materials and colors
  • Which side of the fence faces out
  • How far the fence sits from the street

Get approval in writing before any work starts. It can save you from tearing out a brand-new fence. Bring your HOA’s rules to your estimate so your design meets them from the start.

Don’t Forget the Gate

A privacy fence needs at least one good gate. Think about how you’ll use it. A single walk gate works for the lawn mower, while a double drive gate opens wide enough for a trailer or boat. Gates should match the fence and close flush, so they don’t leave a gap.

What Does a Privacy Fence Cost?

Price depends on the material, height, total length, number of gates, and your yard’s slope or trees. Wood usually costs less up front. Vinyl costs more but saves on upkeep later. For a quick ballpark, try our online fence price estimator.

Caring for Your Fence in NC Humidity

Our hot, humid summers are hard on wood, and winter brings its own challenges (see our tips for winterizing your wood fence in NC). A few simple habits help a wood privacy fence last longer:

  • Stain or seal it every few years
  • Keep vines, shrubs and mulch off the boards
  • Rinse off mildew and pollen once or twice a year
  • Fix loose boards and leaning posts early

Vinyl just needs an occasional wash. If upkeep is a big concern, read our guide to low-maintenance fence options in NC.

Ready to Plan Your Privacy Fence?

Dickerson Fencing has been building fences in Durham and across the Triangle since 1960. Whether you want wood or vinyl, 6 feet or 8, our team will help you find the right fit. Explore our residential fencing options, learn more about our work as a Durham fence company, or schedule a free estimate and design. Prefer to talk? Call 919-596-6765.