The Great Wall of My House
April 24, 2011 3:01 PM   Subscribe

I want to make an existing wall taller so I don't have to look at my awful neighbors anymore. Help!

To make a long story short, we have horrible neighbors, and because of the way our homes are built they can look in on us, and us them. I really want that to stop.

There's an existing stucco wall and I'd like to add something on top. One idea is a few feet of horizontal wooden fence -- I've seen something like that around town but have had no luck googling for images or info. Is there a particular name for such a thing? How hard would it be to build something like that? Any ideas on costs?

Or, other ideas? I just want to add maybe three feet on top of what we've got already so I don't have these jokers staring at me in my living room.

Bonus points for cheap and/or easily constructed ourselves.
posted by BlahLaLa to Home & Garden (17 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
This probably isn't cheap, but the first thing that came to mind was something like this. That might require you to rebuild the wall or some how drill into the existing wall, though. You could also make a rock plant wall on top of the current wall.
posted by two lights above the sea at 3:12 PM on April 24, 2011


Attach five feet of chicken wire to existing fence, two feet of it below the top, three feet above. Cover top three feet of chicken wire with ivy.
posted by orthogonality at 3:14 PM on April 24, 2011


Cheaper alternative - plant bamboo in front of the wall? In front because then its definitely on your side. Plant it in containers, so it doesn't take over your yard, or choose a clumping kind. Bamboo grows really fast, so you should have a decent screen in no time.
posted by Joh at 3:15 PM on April 24, 2011 [8 favorites]


How about installing a trellis atop the wall, and then grow ivy (or other vine-type plants) over the trellis?
posted by AlliKat75 at 3:15 PM on April 24, 2011


The term "privacy fence" might help your searching. Before you build anything, check your local ordinances, which often specify maximum height. Another way to go might be to get hog panels, attach them to the wall, and grow a vine-type potted plant on them; a trellis (rather than a fence) might be acceptable in your town.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:15 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks for all your suggestions so far. I would prefer a solution that doesn't involve plants -- my side of the wall is problematic area for growing, including heavy shade and a pool that leaves little room for planters (and definitely no place to dig into the ground). But keep the suggestions coming, please!
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:19 PM on April 24, 2011


Before you build anything, check your local ordinances, which often specify maximum height.

Seconding this. It depends on where you're at, but many jurisdictions have regulations about fence height and construction. My city, for example, limits side yard fences to 6' of solid material, but you can then add 3' of 50% open area material on top for a 9' total fence height.
posted by LionIndex at 3:22 PM on April 24, 2011 [2 favorites]


You could add a lattice top to the wall. It's relatively easy to do the framing, and most home improvement stores carry a variety of lattice styles to choose from in wood or vinyl.
posted by gimli at 3:26 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


Bamboo fencing on the bottom (link for ideas only; I don't know this outfit), framed out to a height exceeding the top of the fence. Run lattice across the top of the bamboo. The lattice may, as LionIndex suggests, bring you into compliance with height/openness requirements and give you additional screening.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:26 PM on April 24, 2011


I bolted seven ft high trellises into a concrete wall with about six inches of barely plantable dirt below. The trellis were 2 feet off the ground another 3 feet above the wall. They were also spaced about 2-3 feet apart. I planted vines below. Though the vines grew slow it worked and lasted for 7-8 years. It was also very cheap. I don't see why you couldn't move the trellis' closer together (2-3" apart or even touch and accomplish what you want. You may also be beautifying the wall
posted by goalyeehah at 3:28 PM on April 24, 2011


A picture of what I'm trying to convey.
posted by MonkeyToes at 3:28 PM on April 24, 2011


Didn't read Allikat til now!
posted by goalyeehah at 3:29 PM on April 24, 2011


Lowe's and similar stores sell privacy lattice in the decking section. It's basically a light wooden lattice with small, 1" holes. This might do the trick without adding much weight -- from a distance you can't really "see through" it.
posted by vorfeed at 3:34 PM on April 24, 2011


my side of the wall is problematic area for growing, including heavy shade

I had a low wall separating my yard from my crabby neighbours' so I added a trellis on top, and planted ivy along the bottom edge of the wall - it is in shade most of the time because there is a trellis over most of the backyard with heavy grape vines growing, but in a few years the ivy grew in beautiful and thick anyway. It's the wall on the left of this photo. Ivy seems to do really well in shade, is what I'm getting at, and it's so beautiful.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 3:46 PM on April 24, 2011 [1 favorite]


I take it keeping the blinds/curtains drawn doesn't work because you want natural light. Have you looked at applying one-way mirror films to your windows, so that you can see out (and light can come in) but your awful staring neighbors would just see themselves reflected back?

Is this a seasonal problem, or year-round?

Chance of your providing pictures of this problem area for additional inspiration?
posted by mumkin at 4:45 PM on April 24, 2011


It might be helpful to check with your local city government about wall heights. In the city I live in, there is a 6' height rule for any fencing along a property line. I'd hate to see you go to an effort that might be nixed by the authorities!!
posted by kuppajava at 6:10 AM on April 25, 2011


What's the actual structure of the fence? Concrete block/brick or wood?
posted by electroboy at 7:54 AM on April 25, 2011


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