Hi,
I'm moving into a house that has a standard 6 ft. dog ear privacy fence. Because of the slope of the property and the height of the porch, the fence only obscures about 4.5 ft. of the view when on the porch. I was wondering if it's possible to attach 2 ft. lattice to the top of an existing fence. The fence has wood posts and is just a few years old.
Thanks.
Is it possible? Certainly.
Is it legal or allowed where you're at? I don't know.
(Around here, any fence over 6' tall has to be engineered.)
Good to know it is possible. Now, how would one go about doing it? Half the neighborhood has 8-foot wooden fences so they are most certainly allowed/legal.
PS I just got off the phone with the building department, 8 foot fences are fine here, no permit required.
OK -- But first off, I can't see your fence. Are you dealing with all level sections, or is there a hill involved?
The first question is how far apart are your posts?
How far above the top rail do the fence boards project?
Lowe's, HD, etc. sell lattice panels that are 2' X 8' with a 2X2 frame. You could probably use those panels -- just have to cut 2X4's or 4X4's to extend the posts up so that the bottom of the panel is flush with the top of the fence boards (or slightly below it). Strap the 2X4 or 4X4 blocks on by screwing a 2X4X8 to each post so that it extends 2' above the top of the fence. Now you could set the bottom of the panel on top of the 2X4 or 4X4 block and attach the panels to the 2X4X8's.
Originally Posted by lefty
OK -- But first off, I can't see your fence. Are you dealing with all level sections, or is there a hill involved?
The fence is relatively level, although I'll have to go back and take a good look to make sure it's completely level. Would the lattice not be an option if the fence were un-level?
Originally Posted by lefty
The first question is how far apart are your posts?
They are about 8 feet. Would the below mentioned design change if they are more/less?
Originally Posted by lefty
How far above the top rail do the fence boards project?
Somewhere between 4-6 inches.
Originally Posted by lefty
Lowe's, HD, etc. sell lattice panels that are 2' X 8' with a 2X2 frame. You could probably use those panels -- just have to cut 2X4's or 4X4's to extend the posts up so that the bottom of the panel is flush with the top of the fence boards (or slightly below it). Strap the 2X4 or 4X4 blocks on by screwing a 2X4X8 to each post so that it extends 2' above the top of the fence. Now you could set the bottom of the panel on top of the 2X4 or 4X4 block and attach the panels to the 2X4X8's.
Just to make sure I understand you fully: If the existing post were the center of a clock and the fence is located at the 6 o'clock position, the 2x4x8 would be sistered at the 12 o'clock position. Correct? Blocks would be placed on top of each post to bring them up to the level of the top of the fence pickets. Would blocks need to be placed on the fence boards also? It seems like the lattice panels might sag if they are just supported at the ends.
Thanks.
homeimprov2006,
It's a fence -- it's gonna follow the slope of the ground. If you look at 2 or 3 acres, is it flat or are hills involved?? You don't need to go out and check it with a level. One panel running uphill at 1 or 2 degrees, the next being perfectly level, the next running downhill at 1 or 2 degrees -- that's flat. If there's a 15 or 20 degree difference from one panel to the next, then you'll have to get more creative!!
Assuming that it's a fairly straight run, the the lattice panels can be made to work. Completely level doesn't matter.
The post spacing is about 8'. You can work with that. The premade panels are exactly 8' long. Start at the middle and work to the corners. I you have to take a panel apart and adjust it to length, that's doable at each end.
Your posts and the fence boards are at 12 o'clock (vertical). The rails are at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock (horizontal). The 2X4X8's are sistered at 12 o'clock (vertical). The lattice panels are placed horizontally. If they need center support, put a leg between the bottom of the panel and the fence rail near the middle. Better yet, put in 2 legs, about 32 from each post.
Originally Posted by homeimprov2006
Good to know it is possible. Now, how would one go about doing it? Half the neighborhood has 8-foot wooden fences so they are most certainly allowed/legal.
PS I just got off the phone with the building department, 8 foot fences are fine here, no permit required.
Hi:
One of neighbors put lattice on the top of the 6-ft fence in the backyard, about 60-ft length few years ago. Two of adjacent neighbors, side and one of rear did not like it and reported to the City Office. The inspector came and looked at the 6-ft fence with 2-ft lattice on the top, 8 ft. in all., and told the homeowner to take it down. Here, the place where I live is the 8-ft. fence is code-violation. Even, 6-ft. fence needs 'Permit' that takes sometime all day long due to long-line and many applicants.
Does your place have a lot of slopes and hills? There are slopes in some of neighbour's backyards, but we can NOT put an 8-ft. fence no matter what. You're lucky to live the city where Zoning and Building office is somehow lenient to let a tall-fence constructed in the backyard.
Tags: lattice, fence, fence boards, bottom panel, lattice panels, Originally Posted, each post, Originally Posted lefty, Posted lefty, 6-ft fence, with level, 2X4X8 each, 2X4X8 each post, 2X4X8 each post that
