Hi, Barbara! Hello, my friends in the Houzz! I got caught in the whirlwind of construction works and a wedding and family homecoming that went with it! Now, I am happy to be back supervising the works. I made additions to the house, mainly at the back, making outdoor living and relaxation as a feature with the grill and outdoor seating and mobile Kitchen all added around the small bath area. Security here in this country is a big consideration, which leaves me with not much choice but to build high and strong fences and gates. My challenge is how to allow for a view of those cornfields and meadows just behind the house, providing a natural awesome backdrop to the 450sqm small property. It may not disappoint you too much to know that I went for the cut stone cladding for the four tall gate posts in front, a copy from the cladding on the posts of the front veranda, only, they are 2.2meters high. There will be two wide gates that will allow entry and exit of suv's on a half roundabout. The whole stretch of the front fence and gates shall be 2.2m vertical iron rods all lined up in a picket. This should allow the least obstructed view of the property from the narrow road. I shall send you more photos of our finished product :). In the meantime, this is how I have fared... Blessings to you, all!!

The neighbours have already stained their side. We did have jasmine and ivy growing on the previous fence and although it did bring lots of lovely foliage to the eye it was not a friend of the fence (maybe jasmine "controlled" on wires???). We are planning on building a deck out towards the fence that will bring it to 1.4m from the boundary so want to make decision soon before construction starts. Thanks for all of your suggestions, thoughts and ideas they've been really helpful and thought provoking.

horizontal anything is a no, the gap would have to be so small it might as well be solid. yes the vertical cable might pass but you are not allowed to be able to squeeze them together as then the gap distance is non complying, The safest one is the solid section PCA pool fence, or glass, or solid, to 1200 mm in Queensland, no greater than 100 mm off ground, and gaps not able to be manipulated, and to stop that you have to have horizontal section in the cable type, which then do not comply, cut metal screens if complying is OK. I would question the void, and if you know the reason for the void, than solutions will be able to be worked out, now we are asking why? Pools in adjoining yards are acceptable with pool fencing complying on both sides, no void is required. so the void sound a bit iffy, unless it is something to do with storm water, or a building requirement, so ask the question why. Pool fencing can be awesome.

I am assuming that each post would go into concrete. Personally I believe Cypress Pine would be better, but why paint it? Cypress ages beautifully and doesnt need repeated maintenance. Cypress has a long life, but make sure it is the real product as it can be hard to source.