Privacy Fence vs. Good Neighbor Fence: Which Is Right for You?

These are two of our most popular styles, and homeowners often go back and forth between them. Both are built with premium Western Red Cedar, both look great, and both provide significant privacy. But they work differently — and the right choice depends on your priorities.

Privacy Fence: Total Seclusion

A privacy fence places all boards on one side of the rails, tight against each other with no gaps. From the "good side," it's a clean, uniform wall of cedar. From the back, you can see the rails and posts.

Best for: backyards where you want complete visual and wind privacy. Pool areas. Properties that back up to busy roads or commercial zones. Homeowners who want the cleanest possible look from their yard.

The tradeoff: one side (the neighbor's side) shows the framing. Some neighbors — and some HOAs — prefer a fence that looks finished from both directions.

Good Neighbor Fence: Fair From Both Sides

Also called a shadowbox fence, this style alternates boards on each side of the rails. The result: both you and your neighbor get a finished, attractive look. The alternating pattern allows some airflow and light through while still providing substantial privacy.

Best for: shared fence lines where the relationship with your neighbor matters. HOA communities that require a finished look on both sides. Areas where wind pressure is a concern (the gaps reduce wind load). Homeowners who want the fence to look premium from every angle.

The tradeoff: slightly less total privacy than a solid board fence, and it uses more material, which increases cost by roughly 10–15%.

Cost Comparison

A good neighbor fence typically costs 10–15% more than a comparable privacy fence because of the additional boards. For a typical residential backyard, that might translate to a few hundred dollars difference — usually well worth it if the aesthetics from both sides matter to you.

Our Recommendation

If your fence is mostly for your own backyard enjoyment and your neighbor isn't concerned about the back side, a privacy fence gives you the most seclusion for your dollar. If you share the fence line and want to keep things fair — or your HOA requires it — the good neighbor fence is the way to go. Either way, both styles look fantastic in cedar and are built to last.

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