Privacy Fence Installation in Indianapolis
Six-foot wood, vinyl and composite privacy fences for backyards within 50 miles of Indianapolis 46256.
A privacy fence blocks the view, breaks the wind, and closes in a yard. In central Indiana it is usually a six-foot solid panel along a side or rear lot line, built in wood, vinyl, or composite. Within 50 miles of Indianapolis 46256, we install privacy fences for homes and the same fences are available for businesses. Free estimates mean we check the lot, the town rules, and the property line before we quote a height or a material.
How Tall Can a Privacy Fence Be?
In Indianapolis dwelling districts, side and rear yards are capped at 6 feet. Front yards are capped at 3.5 feet, or 4 feet if the fence is 30% opacity or less. Posts may run one foot higher than the maximum fence height. Corner lots can have two front yards, which surprises people: the shorter front-yard limit can apply on two sides of the lot, not one.
Other towns differ. Front-yard limits run from 3.5 to 4 feet across the towns we list, and side and rear limits are 6 feet in most of them and 7 feet in Noblesville. See the fence permit guide for the town-by-town list before you plan a height.
Wood, Vinyl or Composite
All three build into a solid privacy panel, but they trade off differently. Wood gives the natural grain and costs the least up front, but it needs staining or sealing on a cycle to hold its color and push back the rot. Vinyl needs no staining and washes clean with a hose, but it costs more up front and does not read as wood. Composite gives the wood look without the staining cycle and costs the most up front.
Which gives the most privacy? A board-on-board wood fence or a tongue-and-groove vinyl panel both block the view completely. Which needs the least upkeep? Vinyl and composite, which never take stain. The right pick depends on the budget, the look you want, and how much upkeep you are willing to take on.
Full Privacy, Shadowbox or Board-on-Board
A full privacy fence stacks pickets tight on one side of the rails with no gap, so the view is blocked completely from straight on. It is the most common backyard fence and the simplest way to close in a yard.
A shadowbox alternates pickets on opposite sides of the rails. It lets air pass through, which helps in a windy yard, and it can be seen through at an angle, so it reads as semi-private rather than a solid wall. Board-on-board overlaps pickets on both sides so there is no gap to see through at all, even as the wood dries and shrinks over a season. It looks the same from either side and costs more than a single-face fence because it uses more boards.
Neighbors and the Line
A privacy fence sits on your side of the property line. Under Indiana law, locating or marking a property line or corner is the practice of surveying, done by a licensed professional surveyor. We do not survey or mark property lines. If your corners are not already marked, get them marked before the fence goes up, because a fence on the wrong side of the line is the most expensive mistake in this trade.
If you and a neighbor are splitting the cost or talking about where the fence goes, that conversation is yours to have. We build where you tell us the line is. To start a project, call (317) 775-2452 or use the contact page.
Gates
A privacy fence usually needs at least one gate, and the gate has to match the fence in height and style or it looks like an afterthought. Walk gates and driveway gates can be built to match the panel, and automation is an option on a driveway gate. See custom gates for the options.
Privacy Fence Questions
How tall can a privacy fence be in Indianapolis?
In Indianapolis dwelling districts, side and rear yards are capped at 6 feet. Front yards are capped at 3.5 feet, or 4 feet at 30% opacity or less. Posts may run one foot higher than the maximum fence height.
Do other towns have different height limits?
They do. Front-yard limits run from 3.5 to 4 feet across the towns we list, and side and rear limits are 6 feet in most and 7 feet in Noblesville. See the fence permit guide for the town-by-town list.
Wood, vinyl or composite - which is best for privacy?
All three build into a true privacy fence. Wood costs the least up front and needs staining. Vinyl needs no staining and costs more than wood. Composite gives the wood look, needs no staining, and costs the most up front.
What is the difference between shadowbox and board-on-board?
A shadowbox alternates pickets on opposite sides of the rails, so air passes through and it can be seen through at an angle. Board-on-board overlaps pickets so there is no gap to see through, even as the wood dries and shrinks.
What if my property corners are not marked?
Under Indiana law, locating or marking a property line or corner is the practice of surveying, done by a licensed professional surveyor. We do not survey. If your corners are not already marked, get them marked before the fence goes up.
Can I get a gate with my privacy fence?
Yes. Driveway and walk gates can be built to match the fence. See the custom gates page for the options.
Can businesses get a privacy fence?
Yes. Privacy fences are available for commercial properties too. See the commercial fencing page for the full list.
Where We Work
We build and repair fences for homes and businesses within about 50 miles of Indianapolis 46256.