Outdoor Privacy Screen | You would think this attached garage wall would be a liability next to the patio. Actually, it creates an enormous outdoor privacy screen from one of my nearby neighbors. The secret tips in the column below are SO GOOD I shared them with the 31,000 subscribers who read my FREE November 8, 2020 newsletter.

DEAR TIM: We are building a home in a subdivision and plan to have both a deck and a patio. But the area is devoid of trees and when I walk on my lot in what will be my future backyard, I feel like a fish in a bowl. How can I get some privacy while relaxing in my outdoor rooms? I am looking for some instant and hopefully affordable solutions. Cary R. Verona, KY

DEAR CARY: The options that are available to you are as abundant as smoking grills on the fourth of July. I can immediately think of no less than 20 or 30 different privacy screens built out of any number of building materials that will work. I understand your need for instant gratification, but I must tell you the most effective and eye-pleasing result, in my opinion, is a mixture of plantings and some long-lasting building material.

Can Architects Solve Privacy Problems?

Architects solved privacy problems years ago with the actual buildings. Buildings that are U-shaped or even square with all four walls opening onto an interior courtyard produce excellent environments for the utmost in person privacy.

A friend of mine owned a home in Florida where a simple wall on the front of his property created a privacy barrier for a small intimate patio where he read his morning newspaper. Hopefully you can modify the design of your home to incorporate a courtyard.

Should I Check Zoning Regulations?

The first thing you need to do is check with your local zoning officials. There are very likely zoning regulations that describe fences, walls and other building structures that you can use to create a privacy screen. Be aware that often there are loopholes in zoning codes.

For example, a zoning regulation may say that free-standing walls can't be any higher than 6 feet. But walls that are an extension of the house may have a height limit that matches the total height of the house. It sounds crazy, but you might be able to get enormous privacy if you just leverage the zoning regulations to the maximum allowable limit.

Can a Garage Provide Privacy?

Quite by accident, my wife Kathy and I created a fantastic privacy barrier with our attached garage. The shape of our lot made it such that we had to stagger the position of our garage with respect to the front of the house. The zoning laws in my village do not allow garage doors to face the street. I wanted an extra-wide garage. When you add all of these factors together, we ended up with this 30 foot long 12 feet high wall next to our patio. It created instant privacy from our neighbor to the west.

We softened the look of this harsh wall with a large arbor that has two gorgeous honeysuckle vines that produce yellow and red flowers all spring, summer and early fall.

Can an Outdoor Privacy Screen Stop Sound?

Don't forget to take sound into consideration when planning your privacy screening. Structures that are solid masonry work very well. They work even better when there is lots of vegetation nearby to help absorb the sound waves. Not only will these barriers keep your sound from traveling to the neighbors, they will help block offensive noise from polluting your private little outdoor space.

Should I Be Worried About Wind?

Be very aware of wind pressure as you think through what you will do. Strong winds can topple masonry walls and other wood structures that have not been designed to withstand the enormous pressure of wind pushing against a flat surface.

Any number of design elements can be included in the wall so that you and your family will be safe. Be sure to have a registered architect or structural engineer approve your design before you head off to the building department to get a permit.

WATCH THIS VIDEO to see the POWER of WIND.

Finally, even though you want an instant privacy solution, I urge you to consult with a landscape architect who can lure you to look into the crystal ball to see what lies ahead. This person may be able to show you photos or actual places where landscaping has been used alone or with a structure to create an outdoor paradise that is beyond your wildest dreams. Be careful, looking at these photos may be the ultimate enticement.

What is the Easiest Privacy Screen to Build?

Wood privacy solutions are among the easiest to construct, but they often become maintenance nightmares. But some wood structures built with redwood or cedar in drier climates can be easy to care for and look good for long periods of time. Simply be aware that wood might require a significant amount of upkeep to ensure it looks good.

Is Masonry a Good Choice?

Masonry walls have unlimited potential. You can stucco a wall, cover it with decorative tile or slate or even face it with real or artificial stone. Brick walls with weeping mortar joints can create a unique look and feel.

What is the Best Outdoor Privacy Screen?

The best privacy solutions are ones that are well-planned and leverage local zoning laws to the hilt. Don't expect the zoning officials to help you find the loopholes. You will have to read the code and, the definitions of the terms in the code. Then start to do some creative thinking!

Landscape Design ... PHOTO CREDIT: kevincaron.com

DEAR TIM: I am building a retirement home in Utah. The location boasts lots of sunshine, but winter weather is a reality. Since I don't want to spend lots of time taking care of the yard and the outside relaxation areas of my home, what materials would hold up best in this harsh environment? The area gets very little water so I want to hardscape with different natural materials instead of trying to coax plants to grow. Lacy O. Cedar City, UT

DEAR LACY: Just when I start to wonder if my college education would do anything for me, a question like yours ambles along. Seriously, I did graduate with my brain fairly stuffed with knowledge, but most of it was geology. It didn't take too many field trips out west to quickly learn that some rocks resist weathering much more than others. In fact, all one has to do is look around at the highest mountains or the tops of plateaus to determine which rocks are the toughest.

Where Can I See Durable Stone In My City?

You can sometimes get this same information from walking down a sidewalk in a major metropolitan area no matter if you live in Utah, Florida, Texas or any state for that matter. If the city has older buildings, there is a good chance many will have a stone or partial stone facade. When I look at some of the rock surfaces, they appear to be in the same condition as the day they were installed. But look closely at some buildings, and you will see rounded soft edges where 100 years ago was probably a crisp 90 degree edge. Some stones or rocks are indeed softer than others and subject to deterioration from regular weather including acid rain.

Can granite take repeated freeze-thaw cycles?

Granite is a plentiful rock that has a history of extreme durability. Some granites are much harder than others and repeated freeze-thaw cycles don't harm them in the least. The high-quartz content of this rock makes it naturally resistant to just about the harshest weather Mother Nature can stir up. Other igneous rocks that have a high silica content also tend to last for thousands of years.

Is limestone a good rock for landscaping?

Since your new home location is so arid, you will also discover that many limestones will also wear like iron. Limestones do suffer some surface degradation in regions that suffer from frequent acid rain, but acid rain is becoming less of a problem as utility companies continuously work to lower their emissions from power generating plants. Fine-grained limestone quarried in Indiana graces many of the monuments in our nation's capital and it has an excellent track record with respect to looking good for long periods of time.

What do you need to look for in hardscaping?

I feel the key to successful hardscaping is taking your time to investigate all of the different rocks and stones you have near you. Not only am I talking about size, but texture, color and surface roughness can help you create a magnificent outdoor living area. Visit all of the local landscape or hardscape stores as well as any rock or stone suppliers in your area. If you are lucky enough to have a university nearby, contact them to see if there are one or more geology professors on the staff. They can be an excellent resource with respect to local or regional sources of unique and beautiful rocks.

What Plants Do Well in My City or Town?

I understand why you might not want to deal with living plants in your hardscape areas, but I think you may be making a mistake. Undoubtedly, local landscape experts can show you plants that know how to thrive and adapt to all of the local weather conditions. If you are lucky, there may be some newer hybridized varieties that bloom more often and grow faster than traditional plantings.

Need help with your landscaping, CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE quotes from local LANDSCAPING companies that can assist you.

Can you combine artwork with your hardscapes?

PHOTO CREDIT: kevincaron.com

I have seen several very unique hardscapes that incorporate both dramatic and subtle artwork that is often a blend of rock and man-made materials. If planned well, these one-of-a-kind pieces of art can add sound as well as beauty and become a focal point of a patio or veranda. I especially like hardscape art that incorporates recirculating water. The moving water creates soothing sound that you no doubt deserve as you enjoy your endless string of off days.

When done tastefully, hardscapes make for unique outdoor eye candy. Talented landscapers for years have used plants of different heights, colors, leaf densities, etc. to create layers of greenery. That is the trick you must do but with rocks instead. Boulders or longer vertical rocks can act as a tree and smaller and smaller rocks fan out in patterns to create a feel one might get from real vegetation.

Can You Get Gravel in Colors?

Multi-colored gravel of all sizes covers the ground the same way hardwood bark mulch does in traditional gardens. There are many different colored gravels available. If you live near the ocean, do the same thing with seashells. They also work well as a mulch and even a surface for lightly traveled driveways.