Many people choose to extend the height of a fence for various practical reasons. Most want to heighten fences for privacy; they either want to have the freedom to use their garden without neighbours looking in or so as not to see their neighbour's house or garden. Taller fences can provide shade from the sun, they can hide an eyesore such as a garage or old shed, and higher fences lead to improved security. Higher fences can also offer increased safety for exercising dogs and for children playing. Here we provide some ideas to extend fence height and steps you can take to make your fence taller to meet your specific requirements.
Editor’s Note [22.03.2024]:
Our article about how to extend the height of a fence was originally published on November 20, 2014. We have made various changes throughout the article. In addition, there are new sections for “Other living options,” and final thoughts. We have also added lots of detail in the DIY and bespoke fences section.
First questions to ask when making your fence taller:
Listed below are some frequently asked questions with our answers.
What is your problem?
The first step is deciding what your problem is: Why do you need a taller fence? Is it for privacy? For security? This sounds obvious but knowing will you help find the best solution to that specific issue.
Is there a cheap way to extend fence height?
You then need to think about your budget and being cost-effective. Different options range from cheaper fence heightening to more expensive fence-raising methods. You may prefer a more picturesque taller fence or a plain and practical one.
How much do you need to extend the height of a fence?
Measure your fence and figure out how much taller you want your fence to be. Remember that there are height restrictions legislation relating to garden fencing and planning permission would be required on taller fencing.
Check out our blog How Tall Can My Fence Be? if you are not sure.
Methods of how to extend fence height:
How to Make a Fence Taller by Adding Trellis Topping
One of the most popular ways of how to extend fence height is to add a trellis panel.
A fence topper is an easy choice as it is specifically designed to sit atop your current fence. Most fence toppers are 1ft or 2ft pieces of trellis measuring 6ft in length to fit the whole width of the fence.
You can of course choose to buy small trellis panels that aren't officially called "fence toppers". Just make sure they are sturdy, fully framed and securely attached.
One of the key benefits of using a trellis above your fence is that it continues to allow light through.
You can find our most popular fence topper here.
Or explore all our trellis panels here.
Increase Fence Height with Living Fences
A living fence or screen is when plants are used to create screening or, as in this case, create height to a boundary.
The living fence can have many benefits: they can look and smell good and provide much-valued privacy and shade.
Suitable plants
Many amazing varieties of plants are suitable for living fences, such as climbing plants and vines. There are prickly plants that are not so popular with would-be thieves, which can offer increased security. Some plants grow much quicker than others, thus giving you a living screen in quite a short space of time.
Poles and wires
If not adding a trellis to support plants, you can provide poles or wires to train the climbing plants around. This approach is like giving your climbers a guided path to the top, creating a lush, green curtain over your fence. By using poles or wires, you also get the flexibility to create unique designs and patterns, turning your fence into a living piece of garden art.
Hedges and trees
The other option of how to make a fence higher is to grow a hedge alongside your fence. This can create not just a tall fence but also a thicker fence. This will not only help block out the neighbours but make it a bit quieter too.
You can also plant a row of trees such as poplars, to generate height and shade. Although you will need to maintain these, they provide another helpful possibility.
Other living options
You can also use plants to extend the height of a fence, possible ways are through bamboo screening, hanging baskets, and stacked planters.
Have you thought about installing some bamboo screening? Entirely natural, this can easily be attached to fence panels and in a few months, you will have a lush living wall of bamboo. This will increase fence height and be a nice place to relax in your outdoor space.
Hanging baskets are another great option. One of the great aspects of hanging baskets is their instancy. Simply add them to fencing and you extend fence height instantly with a flash of living colour, from both foliage and flowers
Our final living option are stacked planters. These are another eco-friendly of way in which you can extend fence height. Living wall planters add height and over time create a living wall effect, which will attract birds, butterflies, and pollinators. You also get a bonus opportunity for extra gardening, which could include growing your own herbs or flowers.
DIY and Bespoke Fences
Whether you want to ‘do-it-yourself’ or get a company to do the work, there are several options to make short fences taller. There are different things that you can add to your fence, some of these are summarised below.
If you are looking for a “quick and easy” fix you cannot beat post extensions, these will give you the extra height you are seeking quickly and efficiently.
If durability is more what you are looking for, have you considered chain link fencing? This is another great option to increase fence height and will not block your view (unlike some other methods).
Privacy and security are often reasons to add height and with this in mind, we recommend the use of metal fence spikes or a privacy mesh. Spikes deter intruders and add height but may not have the aesthetic appeal you clamour for. A privacy mesh can quickly be draped over fencing on top of existing fence panels.
If you are looking for a design statement that adds height, consider metal railings. This is an architectural touch that adds interest and a WOW factor to your garden skyline.
We have a fantastic selection of taller fence panels available; click here to view our 6ft high range. Below are three of our bestsellers; simply click on them for further information:
Related articles containing ideas to extend fence height
Hopefully, you found this blog post useful. Remember to check out our other helpful blog posts while you're here too. Another article to read on the general topic of fence height with a legal emphasis is how high can my fence be?
Final thoughts
Boosting your fence height is not just about keeping things private; it is about crafting your own little private haven. Whether you are dodging nosy neighbours, shading out the sun, or just jazzing up the garden, raising the fence is a transforming project. From trendy trellis fence toppers to living, green screens, there is a style for every garden. So, whether you are into DIY or getting the professionals in, there are a range of ideas to extend fence height and take your fence from bland to marvellous.
Contacting us about how to make a fence higher
We hope you have enjoyed our article about how to extend the height of a fence. If you still need advice about how to make a fence taller or perhaps a cheap way to extend fence height or fence toppers, our customer service team await your call.
Contact Buy Fencing Direct in these ways:
- Call at - 0333 003 0515
- Contact us – email us at our contact page
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