ᐅ Privacy screening—what would you do?

Hello,

we are currently planning our outdoor area.
We are still unsure about the best way to create privacy screening towards the neighbor’s house. We have quite a curious neighbor who always stands on their terrace whenever we are outside.
Of course, the adjacent playground should remain accessible for our child.

We find it a bit difficult to decide the best solution. At first, we thought about bamboo plants. They grow quickly and tall. But do they grow dense enough to provide privacy screening?

Or should we go for a wooden fence?
It’s tricky.
Maybe you have suggestions and ideas for us, thank you very much.
Best regards

If your cherry laurel is allowed and you don’t mind having it, that could be an option. A wooden fence with greenery in front is also possible—you wouldn’t see the fence then—but I think it would be nice for your little one if there were a "secret" path for them and their playmates. That would eliminate the fence (unless you install a gate). If the property has enough space, a small winding "maze-like" path leading to the playground might also work.

chewbacca123 schrieb:

Initially thought about bamboo plants? They grow quickly and tall. But are they dense enough and provide privacy?

Yes, they do. BUT they create a lot of mess (extremely high leaf drop) and need to be professionally planted underground because the beautiful bamboo spreads like crazy.
So a wooden wall/double wire mesh fence plus planting (cherry laurel is really unattractive but grows fast / beech hedge or similar). For example, I find fences with diamond-shaped slats combined with planting look nicely open and natural.

Maybe consider a fence made from rhombus slats (but self-built). Install longer wooden posts as needed, then use battens (significantly cheaper than rhombus slats) to create a coverage that fits your exact field of view. Once plants grow back, you can easily reduce or expand it as you like. You can also paint it or leave it raw and just start with one or two battens.

We once had something similar on our terrace when the neighbors were building next door. We adjusted by adding or removing one batten until we reached the comfortable height we wanted. If you don’t make it too dense, it won’t feel so heavy. I would avoid concreting the posts at first until you know exactly how and where it fits.

@nordanney
Oops... I just noticed you recommended something very similar almost at the same time—

When dealing with curious neighbors, the only solution is to direct the line of sight, for example with a wooden screen. Add greenery on your side. Not along the entire length, just enough to protect your terrace and pool. Wasn’t the playground already discussed at some point?