Is your fence not tall enough for your needs? Are you struggling to keep your pet inside your fence?
Did you know that the average chain link fence is 4 feet high? For some, this may work. But for others, a 4 ft. high fence may not be tall enough. Everyone has different needs for fences.
For example, one person’s fence might keep children out, while another person’s fence could keep a large dog in. Whatever the reasoning, a fence should be strong and exactly what the owner wants.
If a 4 ft. fence is not going to cut it for your fencing needs, this article is for you! There are many ways to heighten your chain link fence so you will be able to find a way that will work for you!
1. Add Welded Wire to the Top of Your Fence
One way to heighten your chain link fence is to add material to the top of your fence. This is one of the easier ways to add height to your fence because you do not have to do anything to the previous fencing material.
A material that works well in this situation is welded wire.
Welded wire is wiring that is wire in a checkered pattern that is welded with heat so the fence material is incredibly strong.
This type of wire is similar to chain link fencing, so using it may be a good option if you are wanting an easy way to extend your fence while also keeping a similar look.
To do this, you will want to buy welded wire at your local hardware store. About 36 to 50 inches of wiring will do.
You can use galvanized wire to attach the welded wire to your chain link fence. Pliers work well to tie the wiring together.
Once you attach the welded wire to the top of the chain-link fencing, you will want to bend the top 12 inches of the welded wire at a 90-degree angle inward to keep animals from climbing out.
Sometimes T posts will need to be used to give the welded wire support along the fence. This will create a taller fence to protect your yard from larger things.
2. Add Mesh Cloth to the Top of Your Fence
Similar to adding welded wire to the top of your chain link fence, adding mesh cloth to the top of your fence is another way to heighten the fence.
Mesh cloth or hardware cloth is a small, sturdy mesh product that is sold in rolls at hardware stores. It is typically made of metal or plastic. Mesh cloth cuts easily so you can use it for many projects around the house.
Adding mesh cloth to your fence works well because mesh cloth stands upright without additional support.
To add mesh cloth to your chain link fence, unroll the cloth and cut the amount that you will need for your fencing.
Balling wire is used to secure the mesh cloth to your fence, but T posts also work for this situation. Pre-cut wire also works to add additional support for the mesh cloth.
So, you will take the pre-cut mesh cloth and add it to the top of your chain link fence. Then you will attach it with whatever you decide works best for your fencing material and then your chain link fence is the height that you desire!
Like adding welded wire, mesh cloth is one of the simpler ways to extend the height of your fence since you do not have to take apart your whole fence.
3. Add Tenax to Your Chain Link Fence
Another material you can add to your chain link fence to give it more height is Tenax.
Tenax is a plastic fence material that you can buy at your local hardware store. You can buy Tenax in rolls and in many different colors. There are no sharp edges or wires on Tenax, so it is safe for humans and pets.
Tenax might be a good option for your chain link fence if you are trying to keep your pets in your yard, but it may not be the best choice if you are trying to keep out dangerous things, such as wild animals or criminals out of your yard.
Similar to a welded wire material, you can attach Tenax to your chain link fence with galvanized wire or baling wire. You may need to add T posts to add extra support for your fencing extension.
4. Use PVC Piping or New Line Posts to Extend Fence Posts
Instead of adding fencing material to your already existing fence, there is another option. You can take apart your fence and add material to your fence post to create a taller chain link fence.
This is a good option if you are wanting to keep your fence looking the same as your neighbors or just for your own personal preference.
The highest you can go without completely replacing your fence posts is 6 ft. So, if you are wanting a taller than a 6 ft. fence, this may not be the option for you.
You can either use PVC piping or buy new line posts to extent your fence posts. It comes down to personal preference. The video below, it talks about adding PVC piping, so take note of that.
The above video gives you an idea of what extending the fence post looks like, but here is an in-depth how to extend your fence posts to heighten your chain link fence.
1. Measure the Old Fencing
Before doing anything, it is important to measure the old fencing. You will need to know the measurements of the fence posts so you will know what materials you will need to buy.
While you are doing this, you will also want to count the number of fence posts your chain link fence has.
2. Buy the Fencing Materials
This is an obvious step, but it is important to make sure you have all of the things you will need.
- Line posts and corner posts that are larger in diameter than the existing posts.
- 6 ft chain link fencing (Remember, don’t get anything taller than 6 feet—you don’t want to end up completely redoing the fencing).
- Screws.
Make sure to plan ahead and get the right number of fence posts you’ll need. You’ll also need some basic tools if you don’t have them already such as a rubber mallet, a drill, a tape measure, and pliers.
3. Remove the Old Fencing
First, you will need to disconnect the wire ties that hold the chain link to the posts. It’ll simply take some twisting and work with a pair of pliers. Once the chain link fencing is loose, you can roll it up and set it off to the side.
Next, you will want to remove the horizontal connectors. Be careful to mark them as you go so you can put them back in the same positioning. An easy way to do this is to mark it but also place it on the ground where it goes so you will not lose it.
Then, you will take off the cap sections from the fence posts. This can usually be done with a slight tap of a hammer to break them loose (or a large pair of channel lock pliers if needed to twist and break them loose). Don’t forget the horizontal poles!
4. Create the New Fence Posts
In this step, you will extend the fence posts to create your 6 ft. fence posts.
First, you will take either the PVC pipe or the new line post and place it over the previous fence post. You will measure out how high you want to make the fence and mark the position of where you want the extended piece to go.
This may take some force, which is where the rubber mallet will come in handy.
Once the previous fence post is marked, you can drill two holes at a 90-degree angle. You will then use screws to attach the PVC pipe or new line post to keep it secure on the post.
You will want to repeat this step for every fence post for your chain link fence.
5. Add the Cap and Horizontal Connectors
Now that the posts are extended to the height you want, you can place the cap on top of the posts. Use a wrench to make sure they are on tightly.
Then, you reinstall the horizontal connectors that span between the fence posts to create the structure of the fence. Do this until you have all the horizontal connectors back on the fence.
6. Add the New Fencing
Once the frame of the fence is built, you can put on the new chain link fencing. Use wire ties about every 24 inches starting on one end of the fence and working your way down to the other. Make sure the fence is taught as you go without too much play.
Continue for the rest of the fence!
There are many options when it comes to extending the height of your chain link fence, so it depends on what works best for your fence, timing, and budget.
We hope this post helped you in your decision in extending your chain link fence.