Increasing fence height

Hi there,

I want to increase the fence height (at the very back of the garden) for security (the low fence has been attracting some unwanted attention) and privacy. I donâ??t own the place, only rent (through a housing association), but as Iâ??ll be living here for the next three years it is worth doing although I have limited funds for this project - Iâ??d rather not spend more than £50 to £100.

The housing association said itâ??s fine to increase the height as long as the fence is similar (but doesnâ??t have to be exactly the same, main thing is similar colour).

I would prefer not to remove the current fence but instead increase its height. Perhaps not the easiest option though.

The posts are 100mm x 100mm at approximately 91cm in height, although the top of one is at angle (92cm at the highest point and 91cm at the lowest).

Iâ??ve had a look around and found some metal supports (â??fence post extendersâ?) for extending the current posts. I would also need to add two new posts to ensure that the fence can withstand the winds, I think. (I live not too far from the coast so the winds get pretty strong.)

Before I start investing in fence panels, posts, supports, cement, gravel boards, etc, I thought I best seek some advice as I have never done anything like this before as there may be a better way to do this?

A couple of photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43332997@N02/4644823169/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43332997@N02/4644823165/

In the top left corner there are a couple of bushes, so I won't raise the fence height there, just for the first two panels (153cm and 171cm in width and about 93cm height). (Between the bushes and the tree on the other side there should be enough privacy.)

Many thanks in advance,

Ryan

 

Hmm..

A bit of a problem there, it's difficult to suggest something that won't make it look a bit of a mess.
I can't tell from the photos, but are the posts concrete or wood?

Perhaps your easiest solution would be to extend it using trellis panels. You've already got "stuff" growing up the fence, so this could be encouraged to grow up the trellis. I'd screw some long supports to the posts and attach the trellis panels to them. Though not as strong as a fence, the trellis should be enough to discourage anyone attempting to climb over and would look better than an "added on bit of fence."

 

This would be my chosen route as well.

Simply coach screw a length of 4" x 2" up the back of the existing fence posts, extending to your desired height. Then buy yourself some lengths of tile batten, and make the trellis suit your desired height and length.
The panels could then be fixed either directly to the extended plates, or preferably fix short 4" x 4" on top of the existing posts, and bolted to the extended plate. The panels can then go between.
The whole lot could then be stained black to match the existing fence.

 

Doghouse Riley, the fence posts are wood. I have to agree, I think the trellis is a good idea. I've been looking for some locally but was concerned a bit about the wind as it gets quite strong here (I'm close to the river Tyne and not far from the mouth of it really). Flying wheelie bins have happened a few times.

wiseoldowl, fortunately, the council was fine with 2M as it's within their regulations and doesn't need planning permission for this area. I think you're right that it would be easier to put up a new fence. Even the cost is less, it seems.

EddieJ, thank you. I think I'll try yours and Doghouse Riley's suggestion. Seems to be like the simplest and most cost effective way to achieve it.

 

EddieJ, hopefully I have understood you correctly. Do you mean something like this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43332997@N02/4645920588/

It's not to scale . The blue is the exist fence and the turquoise is the proposed trellis, if I understood your advice correctly?

 

Yes that's the way, but you might have difficulty in getting trellis that size, unless you make it yourself.

I'd suggest also checking out the sizes of "the concertina type" trellis available, for both length and height. You could make box frames to fit between the upright posts and fit the trellis on to it. It'd be cheaper though more lightweight, but a frame with a couple of extra upright battons would be sufficent. If the trellis is a bit over-size, it's easy enough to cut.

When I built this fence between the house and the garage, I found these trellis panels available and included them in the build. They're fixed between two lengths of 3" X 2" (double at the bottom) plus dividers to form the frames. I only had to shorten one panel. They've been up about five years now.

 

Hi Doghouse Riley,

Many thanks again. I'll take a look into all of this. I think I saw some trellis today which might do the job.

By the way, your fence and trellis looks great.

The other thing I would need to deal with is the gate. If I extended the posts either side using "post extenders" (or similar) would this be strong enough to take the extra weight?

With regards to climbers, I looked at clematis - which seems to be regularly mentioned - but this doesn't seem to like a lot of sun. As the fence will get a lot of sun during later morning and the afternoon (from the west) it probably wouldn't be too good. I'm just going to be here for a few more years so I'm after something that would establish quickly? I'm still having a read up on this. Rambling Rector Rose looks nice but I'm not sure if it's realistic?

 

It depends on how secure is the post to which the gate is attached.

You could change it to a door.

The one in the photo, I bought ready-made from B&Q. I think it was about £50.
I put it on the ground and made a frame to fit round it and then incorporated the lot into the frame of the fence (that arch is just a false one, the panel and the bearers go behind it). You can see the frame in this photo of the reverse side of the fence. I had to screw an other batton across the middle of the door to take the lock as the door is only "tongue & groove."



You could do the same, I'm sure you could buy a similar door, not necessarily with an arched top and then screw both sides of the frame to the two posts either side of the gate.

Just another idea of course.

 

Thank you, mate. The post seems to be secure. I'll take a look into your suggestion.

Regarding climbing plants, I could make/buy some boxes and fix them to the fence just below where the trellis will start. A few of those along with encouraging existing shrubs and the rose bush to grow up it should do the trick, I hope.

 

The picture that Doghouse Riley posted is exactly what friends of ours here did, using lattice panels, they extended their fence, but making a frame( for strength) and adding the lattice.....and voila, privacy.
Good luck, and make sure to post some pics when its done.