The Advantages of Boundary Walls

Privacy Matters

• The main advantage of a boundary wall is the sense of privacy it can create within your property. Unlike a fence, which is typically made of wood or wire, a boundary wall is generally constructed of masonry. Once constructed, the boundary wall can help block out sounds within the neighborhood as well as create a firm separation between you and your neighbors. Whereas a fence may have gaps -- such as in between the planks -- a boundary wall is solid, preventing others from peering into your property.

Decor

• A boundary wall can be designed to match the look of your home. For example, if your house is painted a shade of blue, you can paint your boundary wall a shade of blue as well, or paint it a color that would accent the color of your house. You can paint a mural on the boundary wall, or hire someone else to do so, which would add a personal touch to your property. Or you can plant trees of a similar height to cover the boundary wall. A boundary wall can also be constructed using the same materials of your home. For example, if you have a brick house or a house with brick accents, construct a boundary wall out of brick. These and other ideas will make your boundary wall fit in with the decor of your home.

Property Line

• An ideal way to mark the property lines between two adjacent properties is with a boundary wall. The boundary line of any property can be located in the deed to the property. If the deed does not contain it, hire a land surveyor to determine it. Once the boundary line has been discovered, construct the boundary wall so that it stands on one side of the property line, which will ease disputes that neighbors can have, such as whether or not a tree is growing over a property line or not.

Considerations

• Before building a boundary wall on your property, research the height restrictions within your area. Different municipalities have different guidelines in regards to how high a boundary wall or any type of fence structure can be. In general, a boundary wall cannot exceed 6 feet in height, but again this is a general rule and not an across-the-board law. If your boundary wall winds up exceeding the allowed height for your area, you will be required to shorten it.