The back garden: a proper screen
The back garden is where most people want real privacy, for sitting out, eating or letting children play. A solid closeboard or overlap fence at a sensible height is the usual answer. In Acocks Green, where semis often share a long side boundary with next door, think about the stretch nearest the house first, since that is where you spend the most time.
Posts should be firm, with gravel boards at the base to keep timber clear of damp soil. Solid fences catch the wind, so good fixings matter. If a window upstairs overlooks the garden, remember that extra height only goes so far, and that a shrub or small tree can screen the view more naturally from a distance. Gaps and dips along a long boundary are worth fixing at the same time, so the screen looks even from the house and from the far end.
The front garden: privacy without a wall
A front garden is different. A tall solid fence facing the street can feel closed in, and there are usually tighter rules on height beside a road. Check with your local council, as this is general information and not planning advice. A lower fence, a slatted design or a mix of fence and planting often gives more comfort without looking forbidding.
Slatted fencing suits the front well, since the gaps let light through and keep the look open. Consider where the front window sits and who walks past. You may only need to screen the bit of lawn or the bay window, not the entire frontage. A modest run of fence with a hedge or shrubs can do the job nicely.
Making both spaces work together
The front and back fences do not need to match, but they should look as if they belong to the same house. Using the same timber finish or similar post style ties them together. A side gate links the two, so choose one that is tall enough to give privacy and sturdy enough to swing properly without sagging.
Think about maintenance too. Solid fencing at the back will need an occasional look for rot at the base, and low front fencing is easy to reach and treat. In Acocks Green, where many homes are of a similar age and layout, a tidy, well-judged scheme at front and back often adds to the street rather than standing out. A short chat with the neighbours before work starts is a sensible courtesy, especially where a fence is shared along a long side boundary.
Quick tips
- Treat the front and back gardens separately: a firm screen at the back and a lighter, lower style at the front.
- Remember that rules on height are usually tighter beside a road, so ask your local council before ordering for the front.
- A matching finish on front and back fencing helps the two feel like one scheme, even if the styles differ.
- Choose a side gate that is tall and sturdy enough to keep privacy and swing without dragging.
If you would like help choosing fencing for the front and back of a home in Acocks Green, B27, call us or send a photo with the fence location. We also work in Hall Green and Yardley, and there is no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Should my front and back fences match?
They do not need to match, but they should look as if they belong to the same house. A similar timber finish or post style ties them together. A firm screen suits the back, while a lower or slatted design often suits the front.
Can I put a tall solid fence at the front of my Acocks Green house?
A tall solid fence facing the street can feel closed in, and there are usually tighter rules on height beside a road. Check with your local council, as this is general information and not planning advice. A lower fence combined with shrubs often gives enough comfort.
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