A privacy fence has one job: stop people seeing in. Plenty of fences look solid from the street and still leave gaps once the boards dry and shrink. This guide covers the privacy fence styles that hold up in Ontario, what each costs, how tall you can build in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville, and the details that make the difference between private and almost private.
Privacy fence costs by material
| Material | Installed, per linear foot | 120 ft backyard | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated wood | $35 - $60 | $4,200 - $7,200 | 12 to 20 years |
| Cedar | $50 - $90 | $6,000 - $10,800 | 15 to 25 years with care |
| Vinyl (PVC) privacy panels | $50 - $85 | $6,000 - $10,200 | 25 to 40 years |
| Composite | $80 - $130 | $9,600 - $15,600 | 25 to 30 years |
| Aluminum with privacy slats | Top of the aluminum range, $60 - $110 and up | Per quote | 30 years or more |
| Chain link with privacy slats | $20 - $35 plus slats | $2,400 - $4,200 plus slats | Slats fade within years |
| Remove old fence | $5 - $12 | $600 - $1,440 |
These prices are from our Ontario fence cost guide, which also covers gates, height and slope. Wood lifespans depend heavily on post depth and staining.
How tall can a privacy fence be?
| City | Backyard and side yard | Front yard |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | 2.0 m | 0.9 m within 3.0 m of the front lot line and in corner or driveway visibility triangles |
| Burlington | 2.0 m | 1.2 m within 3 m of the street line |
| Oakville | 2 m. Side and rear boundary fences can reach 2.2 m if the part above 1.9 m is open lattice | 1.5 m, with anything above 1 m in open lattice |
Sources: Hamilton Fence By-law 10-142, the City of Burlington fence rules and the Oakville Fences and Privacy Screen By-law 2002-034, checked September 2026. Gates, arches and post caps get small allowances above these limits. Corner lots and heritage areas can add rules. If a 2 m fence is not tall enough, a freestanding privacy screen set back from the line, a pergola or tall planting often is. Our deck privacy wall guide covers screens on decks.
Privacy fence ideas that work
1. Board-on-board
Boards on both faces of the rails, overlapping each other. When the wood shrinks in summer, the overlap still covers the gap, so it stays private. It uses more lumber, so expect roughly 15 to 30 percent more than a single row of boards, and it looks the same from both sides, which neighbours appreciate.
2. Shadowbox
Boards alternate from one side of the rail to the other with a partial overlap. It lets air through, which helps in wind, and looks good from both sides. Privacy is good straight on and a little less at an angle.
3. Horizontal board fence
The modern look, usually cedar or composite boards run horizontally with a small gap or tight together, framed by posts with a top cap. Horizontal boards need a centre support or closer posts so they do not sag, which adds cost. It is a poor choice for a pool enclosure, because horizontal members are climbable.
4. Solid board with a lattice top
A 5 ft solid fence with a 1 ft lattice topper gives full height and softens the top edge. In Oakville, an open lattice top is also how boundary fences can go a little over 2 m.
5. Vinyl privacy panels
Tongue-and-groove vinyl panels are fully solid, never need stain and wash clean. The trade-offs are price, a plastic look some people dislike, and panels that can crack from impact in deep cold. Buy a spare panel when you install.
6. Composite fence
Composite boards in steel or aluminum posts look like wood without the staining. It is the premium option at $80 to $130 per foot. Look for systems with metal posts, since composite boards are heavy.
7. Aluminum with privacy slats
Aluminum frames with horizontal or vertical slats give a clean, modern look and last for decades. Slatted infill is climbable, so it is not an option where the fence is also a pool enclosure.
8. Living fence
Cedar hedges, arborvitae or columnar trees take a few years to fill in, but they soften everything and are not limited to fence heights in most of a yard. In Hamilton, a hedge used for privacy within 3 m of a street or in a visibility triangle counts as a fence. Our privacy plants and hedges guide lists what grows well here.
9. Mixed fence and planting
A fence at 1.8 to 2 m with a row of tall grasses or shrubs in front hides the fence and adds depth. It is often the best-looking privacy solution on a small lot.
When the privacy fence is also a pool fence
If the fence encloses a pool, the pool enclosure by-law applies on top of the fence by-law. In Hamilton, an enclosure must be at least 1.5 m high from the outside ground, with no opening that passes a 100 mm sphere and nothing that helps a child climb it. For a vertical wood fence, Hamilton's Pool Enclosure By-law 16-184 limits the gap between boards to 38 mm, or 100 mm on a board-on-board design, and gates need a self-closing, self-latching device with the latch on the inside at least 1.35 m up. Oakville's Pool Enclosure By-law 2006-071 sets a 1.2 m minimum. Rules and inspections differ by city, so settle the pool rules before you pick a style.
Details that decide how private it is
- Height of the ground. If your neighbour's yard is higher, a 2 m fence may be less than 2 m to them. The by-laws measure from the ground, so plan planting or a screen where the grade works against you.
- Bottom gap. Keep a small gap above the soil so boards do not rot, but not so large that the fence feels open.
- Post depth. Posts set about 1.2 m (4 ft) deep resist frost heave. Shallow posts lean, and a leaning fence opens gaps.
- Gates. A cheap gate is often the least private part of the fence. Match the gate style and frame it so it does not sag.
- Good side. Many neighbours expect the finished face outward. Board-on-board and shadowbox avoid the argument.
Neighbours and the line
Confirm where the property line is from your survey before any posts go in. For a fence on the shared line, agree the style, height and cost split with your neighbour in writing. If you cannot agree, Ontario's Line Fences Act sets out a process run through the municipality. Book free locates through Ontario One Call before digging post holes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a privacy fence cost in Ontario?
About $35 to $60 per linear foot in pressure-treated wood, $50 to $90 in cedar, $50 to $85 in vinyl and $80 to $130 in composite, installed in 2026. A 120 ft backyard runs roughly $4,200 to $15,600 depending on material.
How tall can a privacy fence be in Hamilton?
2.0 m in backyards and side yards under Hamilton Fence By-law 10-142, and 0.9 m within 3.0 m of the front lot line or in a corner or driveway visibility triangle.
How tall can a fence be in Oakville?
2 m in yards other than the front yard, and 1.5 m in the front yard with anything above 1 m in open lattice. Side and rear boundary fences can reach 2.2 m if the part above 1.9 m is open lattice.
What is the most private fence style?
Board-on-board, because the boards overlap and stay covered when the wood shrinks. Solid vinyl panels and tight composite boards are also fully private.
What is the cheapest privacy fence?
Pressure-treated wood at about $35 to $60 per linear foot installed. Chain link with privacy slats costs less but looks worn once the slats fade.
Can a horizontal fence be used around a pool?
Usually not. Pool enclosure by-laws forbid anything that helps a child climb, and horizontal boards or slats do. Check your city's pool enclosure by-law first.
Do I need a permit for a privacy fence?
Not usually for a residential fence within the height limits. A pool enclosure needs its own permit, and corner lots and heritage areas can have extra rules.
Who pays for a fence between neighbours in Ontario?
Usually the neighbours split a shared line fence by agreement. If they cannot agree, the Line Fences Act gives the municipality a process to decide.