5 Smart Ways to Increase Privacy in Your Backyard with Modern Fencing

Most backyard privacy issues don’t come from a lack of fencing, they come from a lack of planning. The difference lies in how the fencing is positioned, combined, and detailed through sightlines, usage zones, materials, and long-term needs. This Bill Gibson Fencing team’s guide breaks down five tried-and-tested strategies to plan your modern fencing better.

1. Plan Privacy Based on Sightlines, Not Just Boundaries

A common mistake is treating the fence line as the only place where privacy matters. In reality, privacy is about what people can see, not where the boundary sits.

Consult with your contractor or contact Bill Gibson Fencing team to get up to date information regarding privacy

• From neighbouring windows or balconies
• From shared driveways or access paths
• From inside your home looking outward

2. Design in Planned Layers

If you ask us, what’s the most consistent factor determining a better outcome? It is that privacy works best when built in layers. 

• For instance, a solid fence may define the boundary, while a slat screen closer to your seating area adds an extra level of screening. 
• This makes the space feel more enclosed without increasing the entire fence height.

Further, by layering elements into primary and secondary, you can create depth so that even if one layer allows partial visibility, the combination can block the full view.

3. Use Lapped and Lock Fencing Where Consistency Matters Most

Does consistency really matter if the fence already blocks views? It does, because a continuous and aligned structure removes small visual breaks that can otherwise make the space feel exposed. 

This is where lapped and lock fencing is preferred because:

• Consistency is what ties everything together.
• Certain sections of a boundary demand a tighter finish where properties sit close together or where the fence runs for a long distance.

The best feature of lapped lock fencing is that its boards interlock quickly, making it a more consistent and faster build. It remains one of the best options where speed, consistency, and cost-effectiveness is required.

The Bill Gibson Fencing Privacy Checklist

How to decide it in a more informed way? Here’s our quick guide to help plan your modern fencing project:

• Identify Vantage Points: Check for views from balconies, windows, and shared paths.
• Check Local Rules: Confirm the height limits for your specific council area.
• Define Your Zones: Decide which parts of the yard need total block-out versus partial screening.
• Coordinate Materials: Choose colours and textures that complement the architecture of the house.
• Plan for Airflow: Consider slats or angled panels if the garden tends to get hot or humid.
• Discuss with Neighbours: Refer to the Dividing Fences Act 1991 for better co-operation.

Every backyard is different, and so is every privacy challenge. If you want to get it right the first time, a quick discussion with an experienced fencing contractor can save a lot of costs and delays.

If you’re ready to learn why Bill Gibson Fencing has been the #1 fencing contractor in NSW, head here to explore what our products can do for you. 

FAQs

Q. What is the maximum fence height allowed in NSW without council approval?

Under the State policy, most residential side and rear fences can be up to 1.8 metres high without a Development Application. If you live on a corner block or near a primary road, the height limits for front fences are usually lower, often around 1.2 metres.

Q. How does the Dividing Fences Act 1991 affect my fencing project?

This Act provides the legal framework for the construction and funding of boundary fences. It generally requires neighbours to share the cost of a sufficient dividing fence. If one party wants a more expensive or taller privacy option, they typically pay the difference.

Q. How do I handle privacy fencing on a sloping block?

Sloping ground requires either a stepped or a raked fence design. Stepping involves keeping each panel level while dropping the height at every post, which is excellent for maintaining consistent privacy levels across a hillside.

Q. What are the best colours to make a small backyard feel larger?

Darker, neutral tones like woodland grey tend to recede visually, making the garden foliage stand out and giving the illusion of more space. Lighter colours can sometimes highlight the boundary, making a small yard feel more enclosed.

Contact the team at Bill gibson fencing to discuss any fencing needs.