When most people think of privacy fences, they think of tall, solid fences made from either wood or vinyl. However, these are far from your only choices when it comes to privacy fencing. If you're considering enclosing your yard in a fence that effectively blocks the view of neighbors, then keep these more unique options in mind.

Fold-Out Privacy Fences

If you don't want to go through the hassle of building a fence in your backyard, then this option might be perfect for you. Fold-out privacy fences are exactly what they sound like: fence panels joined together by hinges, so you can fold them up on each other for storage, or stretch them out to form a long section of fence.

Typically, this option works best when you only need a short segment of fence -- for instance, if you only want to put a fence along one side of your property to deter an overly nosy neighbor. You could enclose each side of your yard with a separate section of fold-out fence, but this would likely be a hassle.

The advantage of this style of fence is that there is no actual building involved. You just purchase a section of fence from a local home improvement store or fencing company, have it delivered, and stretch it out. Usually, stretching out the fence is an easy task that requires little to no home improvement skill.

The downside to this option is that fold-out fences are not always very sturdy. They may not stand up well in areas with heavy snowfall, and they don't provide security -- just visual privacy -- because of their "flimsy" nature.

Living Bamboo Fences

If you value green living and natural materials, then a living bamboo fence might prove to be the perfect privacy barrier for your yard. Living bamboo fences are comprised of several rows of planted bamboo. Since bamboo grows quite tall and thick, it does a good job of blocking the view into your yard once established.

The advantage of living bamboo fencing is that it is a very eco-friendly choice. Not only does it not require the release of any chemical pollutants to manufacture, but it actually puts oxygen back into the environment as it is a living plant. A living bamboo fence will likely be the talk of your neighborhood, since it has such a unique appearance.

The downfall of bamboo fences is that they take about 3 years to become established and suitably thick. If you're looking for a fence that can offer complete privacy tomorrow, this is not the best choice. Living bamboo fences also require a lot of regular maintenance, including trimming and fertilization.

Trellis Fences

Another unique, eco-friendly option is to build a trellis-like wooden or vinyl fence, and then plant plants to grow up it and make it more "solid" by filling the spaces with their greenery. A trellis fence is likely to be less costly than a solid wood or vinyl fence, since it uses less material.

An advantage of a trellis fence is that it will release valuable oxygen back into the atmosphere while also adding greenery to your backyard. If you choose a fast-growing climbing plant, such as morning glories, passion flowers, or mile-a-minute plant, you could have a solid fence that offers adequate privacy within a few weeks.

The downfall of trellis fences is that they are not the best option in areas that have harsh winters, since the plants tend to die back during this period, leaving you with a see-through fence.

If you want a fence that keeps people from seeing into your yard, but traditional solid wood or vinyl don't sound too appealing, keep the options above in mind. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they all have the ability to turn your yard into a stunning and more isolated space.