Fort Smith Fence Pros connects homeowners with an independent local contractor for privacy fence installation in Fort Smith, AR, whether the goal is screening a patio, keeping dogs in or blocking a busy street.
A privacy fence is more than tall boards. Height, layout, the material you pick and how the fence handles wind all decide whether it does the job for twenty years or leans after the first spring storm. This page walks through those choices so you can request a free estimate with a clear idea of what you want.
Picking a Privacy Fence Height and Layout
Six feet is the most common backyard privacy height because it blocks the view from a neighbor's yard for most people standing. Taller fences screen second-story windows or a raised deck, but Angi notes fences over 6 feet usually cost 20 to 30 percent more, and taller panels catch more wind.
Sightlines that matter
- Where you sit on the patio or deck, not just the property line
- Driveways and corners, where a tall fence can block the view of traffic
- Windows that face a neighbor's yard
Height limits and corner rules vary, so check with the City of Fort Smith or your HOA before you settle on a design.
Privacy Fence Materials Compared
Wood
Board on board pine or cedar is the classic choice. It is easy to repair and can be stained any color.
Vinyl
Solid vinyl panels never need paint and will not rot, though they cost more up front and a cracked panel is replaced rather than patched.
Semi-private options
Shadowbox wood and louvered styles block most of the view while letting air move through, which eases wind load and keeps a yard from feeling closed in during humid summers.
Chain link with privacy slats is a lower cost way to screen a side yard or work area.
Wind Resistance for Solid Fences in the River Valley
A solid fence acts like a sail. Fort Smith sits near Tornado Alley and has been hit by major tornadoes in 1898, 1927 and 1996, and ordinary spring thunderstorms put real pressure on a tall fence line. Ask any contractor how they handle it:
- Post depth and post spacing for a 6 or 8 foot fence
- Heavier posts, or steel posts hidden behind wood boards
- Whether a shadowbox or gapped design makes sense for an exposed lot
Neighbors, Property Lines and the Finished Side
A privacy fence affects the house next door as much as yours. Before work starts, confirm where the line is, ideally from a survey, since old fences are not always on it. Talk with neighbors about timing and which side will face them. Many people put the finished side facing out as a courtesy, and some HOAs require it. Shadowbox and board on board styles look good from both sides, which avoids the question.
Privacy Fences in the Belle Grove Historic District
Belle Grove, roughly bounded by North 4th, North 9th, North B and North H Streets, is reviewed by the city's Historic District Commission. The city's Certificate of Appropriateness application lists a wood privacy fence with flat boards in a single row, no taller than six feet, as minor work when it sits in the rear of the property and is set back from the front facade at least half the distance between the facade and the rear property line. Other designs go through fuller review, so start that paperwork early.
Common questions
How much does a privacy fence cost per foot?
Angi lists privacy fencing at a typical range of about $25 to $40 per linear foot, and its wood fence guide puts wood privacy fences at roughly $27 to $60 installed. These are national estimates. Height, material, gates, slope and old fence removal all move the price, so request a free estimate for a figure based on your yard.
Is a 6 foot or 8 foot privacy fence better?
Six feet covers most backyard needs and costs less. Eight feet helps when a neighbor's deck or a two-story house looks down into your yard, but it adds material, needs stronger posts for wind and may not be allowed everywhere. Check with the City of Fort Smith or your HOA before planning anything taller than six feet.
Do I need permission to build a privacy fence in Belle Grove?
Exterior work in the Belle Grove Historic District goes through the city's Certificate of Appropriateness process. A rear-yard wood privacy fence of flat boards, six feet or less and set back as the city's form describes, is listed as minor work that staff can review. Other designs may need review by the Historic District Commission.
Which privacy fence design handles wind?
Wind performance depends more on construction than material. Deep, well-spaced posts, sturdy rails and solid gate framing matter most. Designs with small gaps, like shadowbox or louvered fences, let some air pass and take less load than a fully solid wall. Ask your contractor how they set posts for a tall fence on an exposed lot.