Fence height extension ideas include ways to increase the height of a short fence surrounding your garden. Whether your fence is made up of wood, metal, or wrought iron fence, there is a height lengthening option available for all of these.
We have come up with 10 of the easiest and most cost-effective methods by which you can increase the height of your fence. Read to find out which of these methods you like the most.
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List of Fence Height Extension Ideas
Fence height extension ideas comprise all those options available to those of you who want to increase the height of your fences, depending on how much time, energy, and money you want to invest in this project.
Here are 10 of the best fence extension ideas that you can use to keep your lawn and outdoor furniture safe from unwanted animal attacks, as well as for privacy concerns.
1. Use Fence Post Extenders
This is for those with a chain link fence, but it isn’t tall enough. Fence post extenders are easily available in the market.
You can buy them and slide them over the existing fence poles. Next, you can add another chain link to match this new height or replace the existing chain link with a new, taller one.
If your local hardware store does not sell these fence extensions, you can easily order them online. You can even choose from various sizes, shapes, and design options.
2. Use Chain Link Extension Poles
You can attach these poles to the top of an existing chain link fence. These come in various sizes, so make sure you choose one that fits your fence the best.
Once you have installed the poles, you can put the link type of fence between them. This way, you will not have to disassemble the already installed short fence and put a new one from scratch.
Instead of putting these poles straight up, you can install them at an angle. This will help deter animals from jumping into the lawn at night and potentially damaging your property.
3. Use a Privacy Screen
Another straightforward method to add privacy to your yard is by adding a privacy screen to increase the height of the fence posts. It makes your yard safe from outside prying eyes and keeps the noise off.
The materials available to buy a privacy screen include bamboo and reed: metal lattice or a vinyl fence screen. Go for one that matches and suits the material that your existing fence is made of.
You will not have to call anyone to install this screen. All you need are basic household tools, another helping hand, and an evening of free time available. Make this a DIY project for the entire family as you put the screen of your choice to make the fence taller.
4. Use Trellis
Often you want to raise the height of a fence only from one side. On that side, putting a trellis behind such a side would work great.
You can go for any design or material of your choice. Decorate your trellis by using plants and vines as fence covers. Trellises can be as tall as up to a whopping six feet.
5. Barbed Wire Extender
This is the easiest DIY fence extension method we have tried to date. All you have to do is to tie taller pipes on top of a shorter fence at intervals. Then put a barbed wire between these poles.
You can use climbing plants and vines to cover the barbed wire and make the view of your garden inaccessible from the outside. Using barbed wire is also useful from a security point of view.
6. Extended Arms Fence Extensions
This type of extension works only on chain-link fences and is the most suitable when put up for security reasons. These come in metallic arm clamps onto the fence’s top rail.
Attach these arms at a reasonable distance all along the length of your fence. Then fill in the gaps between them by using barbed wire. If you don’t want to go for a barbed wire, the fine native to using a barbed wire is to go for a meshwork wire framework instead. You can also check our 16 cool ideas to fill your fence’s gaps.
Some people use a trellis or a privacy fence sheet in between too. Don’t worry about the mounting cost of these extensions, as they are available at very reasonable prices. You can choose from very cheap to reasonable to some that are downright expensive.
7. Attach Taller Fence Posts Over Existing Ones
This picket fencing is the simplest solution to add height to an existing fence. All you have to do is to buy panels of your choice and attach them over the old fence.
Of course, the type of old fence might make your options a bit limited. If the old fence is wooden, then wooden or vinyl fence posts would have to be used. You will have to use vinyl or metal extensions for a metal fence.
Most picket fences are on average, three feet tall. Putting up an existing fence will extend its height at extremely reasonable prices.
8. Use PVC Pipes
Using PVC pipes is the cheapest and the most convenient method of adding height to short garden fencing. All you have to do is buy pipes that are large enough and will fit on top of your fence posts.
Then place them there and secure using ropes or screws. Afterward, install a meshwork or a barbed wire of your choice between pipes from one end to another. You can also use a PVC screen between the pipes to create a DIY privacy fence.
The only downside is that this method works only for metal types of fences and is not suitable for wooden or plastic ones. Technically you still can use PVC, but it wouldn’t look neat or pleasing to the eyes.
9. Use Wood Lattice Fence Toppers
A wooden lattice fence topper is our favorite method to add an extra two feet to an existing shorter garden fence. It is inexpensive and available in various designs and patterns in garden shops. You will find an even larger variety of lattice fence toppers online.
If you want to, you can also go for expensive options that will last you several years at the very least. It is better to have the fence panels framed by a sturdier type of wood before use.
The tighter the pattern on the topper, the more privacy it gives your garden. You can cover up the rest of the holes using your choice of vines, plants, or sheets. If you are into woodwork or carpentry, you can make your own lattice fence extension for your garden.
10. Using Tall Plants
Using tall plants is one of the most creative methods of adding an extra height to the fence surrounding your garden or backyard. You have a taller, more private fence and a beautiful plant line bordering your entire property. What else could a lawn owner ask for, right?
Now, you can transplant tall plants in front of or behind a short fence or wait for your plants to grow to the required height. You have many options when selecting which plants to use as fence extensions. All you have to see is whether these plants suit the environment of your region or not.
Bamboo grows fast and up to tall heights in a short amount of time. A fast-growing privet plant grown as a hedge will grow several feet within one year. Tall succulents like the Mexican fence post plants are also good options if you live in a hotter region.
