I would rather look at a wood fence than a chain link, so it would be worth informing them of your plans and asking them if they would be willing to remove it. If they say no, then it narrows your options. ;-)

they won't they said we have to take the chain link down.

And why? Would the wooden fence be on your property? Rather than fight about it, I would pay to have the chain link fence taken down & be done with it. People! You think that they'd be happy to have their fence replaced even if the had to pay to have the chain link removed.

I wouldn't put a wood fence up next to their chain link.....the space between them would be a pain to maintain.

I would pay to have their chain link fence removed, if they agreed.

i dont understand why you cant just put wood fencing or whatever fencing you desire right infront of the chain fence? is there an hoa or is it not allowed?

i am genuinely asking because it seems like it wouldnt be an issue?

I don't know. They told us it would have to be taken down. My husband says he's never seen fence on fence

how bad can it be??

i think thats what i would do
the hassle with consulting with neighbors and payment is just a headache. id either leave it as is or just put up whatever i wanted...you never know, the neughbors might end up not liking the fence on fence and negotiate with it to be fixed as you wanted..

Is the chain link fence on the property line?

So if you put up a wood fence, which property owner would maintain the space between the fences?

Be sure you understand this, and who would be responsible to maintain the "gap" between the fences.

The space between the fences can not be mowed, and it is prone to weeds. It can turn into a major eye sore (more so on the chain link side).

I think I'd go with putting the wood fence all the way around the property. This is one of those cases where 'good fences make good neighbors.'

If you can't legally or practically put a wood fence in front of the chain link, I'd fence the rest of the yard the way you want it, with wood, and then put fast-growing vines or hedge in front of the chain link. If you opt for vines (which will cover a fence faster) make sure you confirm that it's okay with your neighbour. We had a chain link fence in common with our neighbours at our previous home, and we had vines that flowered on both sides, which our neighbours liked. They weeded their side and we weeded ours, and periodically they had me come in to thin on their side of the fence, as they were worried about over- or under-thinning and damaging the vines.

I would ask the neighbor if they're okay with you replacing their chain link side with a wood fence. If not, I would just fence the remaining 3 sides with wood. Fence on fence is a bad idea. While I don't like chain link fences, I also don't like wood fences so be prepared for the neighbor to say no. :) When you talk to them, make it abundantly clear that nothing will come out of their pocket and that you intend to pay for the removal and replacement and they might be open to the idea.

Lisa, the neighbours are ok with removing the fence, but they don't want to pay anything for the removal. Chain link fences are ugly no matter how you look at it:)
I would put the wooden fence up to where the chain one is and then plant evergreen trees to hide the chain and get some privacy

"They told us it would have to be taken down."

Who's they?

the fence company. We have not asked the neighbors yet.

I see,, my understanding was that the neighbours said that..Talk to them then and see what your neighbors think

Do you know where the property line is and who put up the chain link fence? If it is an older house you may own the fence and not know it.

In a lot of places, when you put up a fence that has a "good" side and a "bad" side, you are required to have the more attractive side facing the neighbor.

A chain link fence doesn't look great, but a chain link fence up against a wood fence would look really awful. It would not be the right thing to do to your neighbors. You want to change the way the fence looks, you should pay for an option that leaves them at least where they started out.

If would be nice if they voluntarily paid for the removal of there fence, but they are under no obligation.

Is the expense of removing the fence expected to be significant? Is it possible you put them on guard by even mentioning it? I can imagine two scenarios where you may have inadvertently put them off.

1. There is about 6' of fence and they are wondering what on earth this "expense" you are worried about could possibly be.

2. There is a lot of fence and it serves a purpose that is practical and important to them. They aren't exactly sure what you plans are and have no intention of removing their fencing for a project you may or may not complete.

fence cpany wants to make money just like almost any company after money
they can easily shift an inch or two and plant another wood fence.

i know they can...who will take care of the weeds that grows in between.

Amy, that's the issue, isn't it? If my neighbours wanted to install a wooden fence that would replace my chain link fence, I'd just take my fence down (at my cost) and let them put up the wood fence (at their cost). Maybe your neighbours will feel the same way once you talk to them.

You need to talk to your neighbors before you make any decision. They may not want their chain link fence removed.

Ok, so you are at an impasse. Another suggestion: leave a space large enough in front of their chain link fence to run the lawnmower through to deal with the weeds and then build a garden bed with "trellis" backing on your side.

Something like this:

Or this:

Have a sit down talk with the neighbors! Explain your plans along with proof you are going through with it. Show them how it will be to their advantage. They have a perfectly good, serviceable fence so if it means that much to you to change it, you should offer to pay for removal of that section, imo. Pulling up chain link takes a whole 10 minutes per post.
Wood fences decay over time and require more upkeep than their chain link. They may not want to keep up their side or be on the hook for replacement when it rots.