How to Make a Fence Taller for Better Privacy

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If you want to make a fence taller for privacy, these fence extension ideas will help. There are several ways to add height to an existing fence and block your neighbors from peering into your yard.

No fence? No problem. See 20 Ideas for Better Backyard Privacy.

Freestanding tall trellis acting as a privacy screen.

Making a Garden More Private

Need more privacy in your yard?

Craving privacy and solitude while working outside or relaxing in the garden is a basic human need. And basic survival for some of us.

Compared to replacing fence or installing mature trees, these ideas are cheap ways to extend fence height (or a creative equivalent) and block a neighbor’s view.

Privacy Screen In The Yard

Lattice fence extension for privacy with colorful flower baskets. — Privacy screen inset from property line, blocking out a highrise

This first one is set a few feet from the property line and the wood supports lean on the smaller fence behind it. If there are restrictive fence height regulations where you live, this could be a good workaround.

Often fences are limited to 6 or perhaps 8-feet tall, but there are fewer restrictions for items on your property although you may need permits, particularly if the structure will be overhead.

This tall screen is a good choice if you are trying to block out the view from a taller building.

By setting the screen in from the property line, you will actually provide more privacy from than you would if your fence was taller.

A reader of this site saw the structure (above) and built her own version. I love the finished look of the framed lattice pieces—it’s so nicely done:

Fence privacy extension made from lattice panels. — Building a new privacy screen at back of garden

Here it is with silver lace vines after one growing season:

Fence extension with silver lace vine. — Vines growing up privacy screen

What an eye-catching addition to the garden!

Extend Your Fence for Privacy

Want more privacy in your yard but don’t want to replace the fence? Have a look at these ideas for extending the fence you have to block out your neighbours.

While trees, vines, and shrubs are often the best long-term solution, adding onto a fence or screen is a fast way to get privacy now.

These photos were taken on local garden tours. Before you build anything, check your local bylaws and ordinances to understand the regulations and find out if any permits are required.

AExtend Fence Posts

In this next one, they extended the support posts of the fence and added homemade lattice to the top section. Vines will eventually fill it in:

Lattice panels secured above a standard wood fence to increase privacy. — Creative way to increase garden fence height

This shows how the post extensions were attached:

Plates securing lattice panel extenstions to a standard wood fence. — Tie plates help extend fence posts

This metal hardware is called a ‘tie plate’.

Tie Plate | Amazon

BExtending Standard Fence

This fence is from my mother’s garden.

There was a fairly low 4-foot fence between houses. To raise the height, the posts were extended, and new boards were added at alternating lengths.

Wood fence extended to be taller using additional verticalfence boards. — This fence was originally half its current height

CScreen on Fence

You can see how the trellis screens in the next photo would be quite effective if several were placed together:

Wood screens used as privacy fence. — Trellis used to create some privacy and interest

Raised garden bed with built-in privacy wall.

4Extend Raised Bed Posts

Raised bed with privacy wall. — My raised bed with built-in privacy wall

In my own garden, I made the back corner supports for this raised bed nice and tall so I could attach privacy screen across the back, and add ‘wings’ on either side.

It’s a great way to give a feeling of intimacy in the garden despite neighbors being close by.

Watch the video to see how I made it: