Fence on top of wall suggestions

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 11:55

I'm Looking to make my home feel more secure

The length of the wall is almost 4 metres long, I was thinking getting some trellis 1 metre high but it is see through and will not provide the privacy I am seeking.

I want something where nothing can be seen through and inexpensive

This is what it looks like currently:

how would a 1 foot panel look on top of that? suggestions welcome thanks.

p.s want an appropriate gate too!

Armageus · 27 Apr 2017 at 12:14

Something like:
http://www.garden-fence-panels.co.uk/product/fence-pailing-arched-double-sided-panel/

available in 1ft 6". Only difficult I could see would be how you would mount it?

a1ex2001 · 27 Apr 2017 at 12:54

easy enough to mount some short posts using metal fence post shoes screwed to the top of the wall, my only concern would be if it is a windy spot you will put quite a force through the top of the wall.

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:03

lol at vulcan

so that's what I'm worried about the wall coming down with the fence in windy conditions
building the wall up would look horrible and be expensive.

how heavy are these panels?

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:10

If your serious about panels you want to mount some decent timber to the wall, 3x3 or similar, and the panels in between.
The timber you should mount right down to ground level or just above so its spreading the load across the wall. The wall needs to be sound though, but it looks fairly new or has the end been patched up?

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:26

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
If your serious about panels you want to mount some decent timber to the wall, 3x3 or similar, and the panels in between.
The timber you should mount right down to ground level or just above so its spreading the load across the wall. The wall needs to be sound though, but it looks fairly new or has the end been patched up?

it is an old wall just patched up at the end recently.

how many bits of timber on a 4 metre length would u suggest?

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:28

Its hard to say, minimum is one between each panel, but the wall needs to be assessed, its surprising how much resistance a fence panel can generate, if the wall is old and weak they could pull it all down

bremen1874 · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:30

I'd take the wall down and replace it with a fence. It'd only be three posts and two panels.

tedaC · 27 Apr 2017 at 13:55

as said above, really you would want to attach posts that go all the way to the ground, a "bit" like this

a1ex2001 · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:07

^^ That's a nice looking fence.

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:38

tedaC said:
as said above, really you would want to attach posts that go all the way to the ground, a "bit" like this

that looks good my problem is that some of the ground below is actually filled with concrete and it looks like you've put those posts into the ground.I'd be unable to do this

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:39

bremen1874 said:
I'd take the wall down and replace it with a fence. It'd only be three posts and two panels.

just to stop the wind taking the wall down? I hate this idea because it is a lovely decorative wall but I get the risks.

tedaC · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:43

you could bolt the posts down to the concrete with something like this

then also bolt the post to the wall, so the full wall is taking the load rather than just the top

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:57

psd99 said:
that looks good my problem is that some of the ground below is actually filled with concrete and it looks like you've put those posts into the ground.I'd be unable to do this

You wouldn't need to, thats quite a fence compared to the wall height. Your talking a bigger wall and a smaller fence. Ratio!

Just a thought, but as there is ivy growing up the wall, why not just build the wall up a bit? You will soon cover it with ivy again so the appearance isn't significant.

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 14:59

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
You wouldn't need to, thats quite a fence compared to the wall height. Your talking a bigger wall and a smaller fence. Ratio!

Just a thought, but as there is ivy growing up the wall, why not just build the wall up a bit? You will soon cover it with ivy again so the appearance isn't significant.

It's the cost mate I will need to get the bricks + materials then I will pay labour for someone

I'm sure a fence is a cheaper option and looks nicer. I'd actually like to keep the ivy too.

JayMax · 27 Apr 2017 at 15:01

A shadow box fence could reduce wind load, it's what I'm considering putting on top of my rear garden wall with those bolt down post holders on the top of the wall.

tedaC · 27 Apr 2017 at 15:02

if you are keeping the Ivy anyway, you could go with your original idea of adding a bit of trellis, then allowing the Ivy to grow over (giving privacy).

psd99 · 27 Apr 2017 at 15:21

that'd take a long time though and it won't give me instant protection from the neighbours nuisance

would it be less heavier though?

tedaC · 27 Apr 2017 at 15:27

its not really the weight you need worry about, its the fence catching the wind.
trellis and ivy would allow "most" of the wind to pass through

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 27 Apr 2017 at 15:38

JayMax said:
A shadow box fence could reduce wind load, it's what I'm considering putting on top of my rear garden wall with those bolt down post holders on the top of the wall.

Quite a good call that, they do reduce the wind impact a lot I hear.
If the wall is maybe a little iffy and with the ivy to grow over it makes sense

What we dont know is how good psd99 is with a saw and hammer