How would local codes pertain, would these panels be classed as fencing by the governing authority there? And therefore subject to the same height restriction as fencing? Or at the very least objected to by a neighbor?

Related to the last question you're not in an HOA neighborhood, right, where everything done has to be approved by a committee?

In my area I've heard it said that the prevailing 6' fencing height cutoff can be dealt with by putting a trellis or arbor on top, planting that with vines to extend the height of privacy provided. (And of course there is also the planting of hedges and screens). That doing so is accepted.

However I would make a visit to my local city offices and check with them before doing so here.

Thank you Embothrium. Will confirm with local city code enforcement

i do believe you are correct.

Photo ideas?

Yes - ask your city what you are allowed to do to get more height. For one thing it looks like your fence may already be at least 6' tall. And it seems to be common for fences above that height to be prohibited.

On their side?

Corrected it

Barnettcj that was a great idea do you have a new picture?

I think that would look a little prison like from their side, like cyclone barbed wire atop a chain link fence. I urge you to ask them what they think of the idea! Just growing an exuberant vine on your fence (it is your fence, right?) should create the extra foot of froth at the top. You can be sure that your neighbors are as interested as you in blocking the view and sound of your pool. Talk to them!

Accomplished the privacy fence project with trellis purchased at Home Depot and turned out beautiful. The cost for the entire project was under $350

I just finished planting 50 boxwood's to create a clean green hedge around the pool and I am determining what type of climber to grow the trellis. Blue Plumbago will be planted behind the boxwood. Cannot wait for next spring!

Hi Susan. We just had our pool installed in November, just before winter hit us in Ontario, Canada. We have a very similar problem. I wondered if you had a gap between the pool edge and the wooden fence and if so, how you filled it before the trellis panels were installed/ Thanks

How about planter boxes on top of fence. Tropical things inside like bouganvillea. Would be poolish...but the pretty leaves will end up in pool. Maybe something spikey like Kimberly Queen ferns.

Wow. That is a great idea. I never even thought of that and we could line them up with the deck edge, with little to no work. I am definitely going to look into this. Thanks mamadada.

Reality check for mmmunroe:

Bougainvillea won’t grow particularly well in Ontario as it is a tropical plant that would die outside in the winter. You would need a greenhouse to overwinter it or a lot of indoor space and grow lights.

Also, most potted plants in an area like Ontario need to be replanted yearly because the pots get colder than in-ground soil (pots get as cold as the air while ground soil often doesn’t get much below freezing, especially when snow covered) and so the plants die. That is on top of the watering and fertilizing that potted plants require. I would not consider this little to no work as it will involve ongoing planting, watering, and maintenance. If you have space for in ground plants, it will take more up front prep, but less ongoing maintenance.

Thanks for the tips. I was really thinking that the planting boxes were a great idea and using the fence to suspend them from. We are super low key with our planting each year and use pre made baskets that just drop into our planters then we recycle the biodegradable content once the flowers die. It really is very little work. If we plant perennial grasses we can cut them back and hope they return in the spring. We would have to insulate the boxes, of course. We have a south facing backyard with strong sun so our large planters have successfully protected our boxwoods trees each year. Hydrangeas tend to do well also so they could be a great alternative.

Thanks