Learning more about how tall a fence can get is important. This article will go over interesting facts about tall fences, and explain how to extend them the right way.
We can find fences in various heights and sizes. It’s always determined by a number of factors. But, how tall can my fence be?
Most importantly, are there set regulations that dictate the type of fence that I can have and how tall my fence can be? How can I ensure that I add a privacy fence to my home that meets the regulations?
On average, my fence shouldn’t be anything more than six feet if it’s in my backyard. My front yard fence shouldn’t exceed four feet. However, there are certain cases when these regulations can be bent.
Learning more about how tall a fence can get is important. I will share more interesting facts about tall fences, and how to extend them the right way. Read on to learn as much as you can about a tall fence.
How To Make My Fence Taller
Having a tall fence is important because it provides the utmost privacy. It’s an excellent way for us to add more safety and security features if we live in a busy neighborhood. In fact, a tall fence is one of the most desirable features in any home.
Another great benefit of making my fence taller is that it helps to create a safe space for all of our pets. The following are some of the common ways that we can attempt to make our fence taller.
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We can opt for a simple extension.
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We can add metal plates.
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We can consider trellises.
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We can use lattice screens.
What Kind of Fence Do I Have?
Choosing the most adequate material to fence our homes is something that we should take a lot of consideration into. Part of it is considering what could happen in the future should we want to change anything on our fence. Making a fence taller is easy.
It all depends on the type of fence that we have, and what we want out of it. These are the four common ways that we can try.
Wooden Fence
One of the many things that I love about a wooden fence is that it’s very affordable and durable. Plus, maintaining it is fairly simple. In some cases, it’s something that can help to increase the market value of our properties.
A wooden fence is versatile and it’s so easily attainable. With a certain level of carpentry skills, it’s so easy for anyone who wants to make their fence taller. It’s essential to have a fence that’s sturdy and thick.
These are the solutions that I recommend extending our wooden fences.
- Use a metal tie plate that can be affixed to both the posts and the material for the upward additional material.
- For an easy extension, we can opt for a metal sleeve or a fence post extender. It’s an ideal solution for a smaller area that needs to be extended due to its cost.
- Consider a half-lap joint to join the wood together.
- A lattice screen should be great for a fence that isn’t all the way sturdy. For exceptional privacy and an added visual appeal, we can even use the aforementioned post extenders as well as our tie plates.
Metal Chain Link Fence
A quality metal chain link fence comes with a lot of benefits for anyone who wants something that’s sturdy yet affordable. This type of fence is easy and convenient to install, making sure that we don’t spend more money than necessary. And, it’s also reliable because we can extend it whenever we feel like it.
One of the most essential factors of choosing any type of fence is knowing how to extend it when the time comes. For instance, in some cases, it’s best to stick to our original retailer when we want to buy additional material to extend it. This way we can ensure that we match our materials and the style of our fence.
However, if we don’t know much about the type of chain link fence that we have, we should consider getting a professional to help with the installation. The thing is, adding more height to our chain link fence can be a laboriously extensive process. And, getting someone who knows what they’re doing should help us save money from inaccurate work.
Brick Fence
There are many reasons why having a brick fence is a great idea for our homes. For example, it can help to block noise from our noisy neighbors. Moreover, the sturdiness of the wall is an ideal way to ensure maximum privacy.
Since a brick fence already has a strong and flat surface, it makes it easier to extend it. I like the fact that we can even put any other material to extend it. This makes for a very versatile and attractive fence extension.
While adding more bricks sounds like the easiest option, we should be aware that the discoloration of the new bricks vs the older ones won’t be the same. So, if this is something that turns out to be bothersome, painting over the whole fence to make it look the same is an option. These are some of the ways that I highly suggest when adding height to any brick fence.
- Using height extensions through a lattice screen.
- Using potted plants.
- Adding a vinyl fence.
- Adding more layers of blocks or bricks.
Vinyl Fence
If anyone is looking for a cost-effective and durable fencing solution, I always recommend going for a vinyl fence. Besides, it’s also one of the most low maintenance fencing solutions that we can find. In addition, it provides a lot of privacy from our nosy neighbors.
There’s a little snag though with this type of fence. It’s usually installed with prefabricating. This makes it very difficult for us to change its height like how we would with our other fencing materials.
It has a very challenging shape to change even though it’s quite a sturdy material. This is the reason why I would rather leave extending the height of my vinyl fence to a professional.
But, with the right tools, it’s generally worth adding a privacy lattice.
What if I Can’t Make My Fence Taller?
There are certain instances that are beyond our control that can impact our need to add more height to our fence. Let’s take the lifespan of our fence as a main factor. If I have an old fence that can’t hold up any new construction, I should reconsider adding any height to it.
We shouldn’t despair, there are some very creative ways that we can consider adding the illusion of height to our fence.
Consider Trellises
This is a good way to add a privacy feature that’s still a big part of my fence. The one thing that makes this one of my preferred additions is that with the right kind of plants, I can add a beautiful feature in my garden.
Concider Planting a Hedge or Shrubs
This is a perfect way to give an illusion of length to any fence. When it’s done next to my fence, this becomes a very ideal privacy feature. Decorative plants are always a good idea in any backyard.
Can My Fence Be 7ft Tall?
Surprisingly, there are regulations that state how a fence can be extended. Even the height of the fence that we choose can be determined by the law. Even though our fences come in different sizes, it’s still important to remember that each size serves its purpose.
Factors such as length, where the fence will be placed, and building codes all have an impact on the the height of our fence. However, in most cases, the local regulations have the final say in how tall my fence can be.
While these should remain as significant considerations, there are other additional factors that are in addition to the height regulations that we need to think of.
Local Regulations
When it comes to the height of my fence, there are two main bodies that I need to worry about that should determine how tall it can be. It can either be the local homeowner’s association or the local law that regulates the height. Generally, the maximum height for any backyard fence is approximately six feet.
And, when it comes to the front yard, it’s recommended that we stick to a fence that’s not taller than four feet. The main reason why this is the case is that if we have a higher fence in our front yard it can cause a number of blind spots. This can be a danger to our small children and even our pets.
However, there are ways to appeal the limitations on the legal recommend fence height. There are usually more valid reasons for anyone to want a fence that’s higher than what’s recommended. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that a fence can be extended to suit the needs of any individual.
The first step that we should go for is applying for a variance license. This is usually submitted along with our fence permit. This can be submitted at any of our local building codes departments.
Providing reasons for adding a taller fence is crucial. Some of the reasons that a building department can include having my home next to a tall commercial building. Or being in an area that’s frequented by wild animals such as bears and deer.
A 12-Foot Tall Privacy Fence
I enjoy having a privacy fence because it provides the most significant barrier between myself and the rest of the world when I need it the most. Having a fence that’s as high as possible is something that I recommend. Not only does it ensure that boundaries are visible between neighbors, but it also helps to increase my security.
To get the most out of any privacy fence, choosing the right kind of material is essential. In most cases, opting for a wooden or vinyl fence is a far better choice.
How to Get Around Fence Height Restrictions
Having to deal with fence height restrictions can be such a daunting process. Yet, in most cases, there’s a valid reason why these restrictions exist. The following are the most common reasons why we shouldn’t have our fences taller than the recommended height regulations.
- Fines are issued to anyone who decides to go against the restrictions. This is why there are protocols that we should follow if we wish to avoid getting these fines.
- Having a very tall privacy fence can dissuade prospective buyers from purchasing our homes. Some people feel like homes with more than seven-foot privacy fences look like prisons.
- When there’s a contrast in the materials used, it can affect the aesthetic appeal of the privacy fence.
- A tall privacy fence in our front yard can turn out to be a safety hazard. This is why knowing the possibility of risk is essential.