Building a wooden privacy fence? Consider building a “friendship” or “shadow box” fence!
Several clients have been building wooden privacy fences lately and after drawing too many bad pictures of what I have always called a “friendship fence,” I decided to research and write a blog post. I did find it referenced as a friendship fence a few places, but it turns out the more known description is a “shadow box” fence.
My back neighbors and I built one at my Florence Park home when we all agreed to pull up the chain link. I won the coin toss to select which side of the fence I wanted, and I suggested we try the friendship fence. Although none of us had any real carpentry experience, four of us built the fence in a weekend and had a great time. Fences make great neighbors, and building them together makes you even better neighbors.
What makes a shadow box fence unique is that every other vertical slat is attached to opposite sides of the horizontal structure. This makes the fence more durable as the wind can flow through the fence. My main reason for wanting this type of fence was so my dog could see out.
Angle view of a shadow box fence
Building a wooden privacy fence? Consider building a “friendship” or “shadow box” fence!
If you look at a shadow box fence straight on, it looks like a normal flat fence, but if you look from an angle, you can see the neighboring yard. So, your pup can see what’s going on all around and not feel like he’s totally confined.
Direct view of a shadow box fence
Other fence tips I’d like to share are (1) use galvanized metal posts instead of wood, and (2) do NOT set your fence slats flush with the ground. You want to set galvanized metal posts in concrete, because wooden posts will eventually rot from simple rain water. And, if you raise the slats about 3-inches above the ground, they are less likely to come in contact with draining water and rot. These two tips will promote a much longer life for your fence.
Whether you decide to build your next fence with your neighbor or hire a contractor, consider the benefits of a shadow box fence. And, if you don’t have a pup — you should adopt one!
Photo courtesy of Matt Weber
Depending on which State or City you live in, most people do not have the luxury to choose which side of the fence they want on their side. The codes usually ask for a fence to have the best side facing out. But in the case of the shadow box, both side are identical thus calling it a “friendship fence”. Be sure to contact your local building department before taking on such a project and always do your homework.
Hello, you say use a galvanized metal fence post… do you mean the kind typically used for chain link?
Can you post a picture of the post in your fence instlall?
Interesting article here Lori, pretty straight forward and easy to understand.
Like this line of yours ” Fences make great neighbors, and building them
together makes you even better neighbors “. Totally agree.
Erika Rogers
Re/Max First Realty
““