Simple Ways To Add Height To A Chain Link Fence

As our needs change, it's important to find ways to adapt our homes to suit us. If you have a low-lying chain link fence, the time may come when it's ready for an upgrade. Costing up to $40 per linear foot, a full-blown fence replacement may be beyond the realm of possibility. While you can find more budget-friendly ways to set up a DIY chain link fence, a simpler and even less expensive workaround is to simply add height to your existing installation. With a few basic materials, you can add instant privacy and extra reassurance against pets scaling it and escaping the property. 

For stability and style, adding height with post extensions may be the best bet. You can find extensions sized to fit over existing poles, such as these Metrics Construction Fence Post Extenders. Generally, you must remove caps, cross bars, and fencing from your fence posts to add the extension. Find the extensions that match your post diameters, and fit them into place. Use an appropriate drill bit to drill holes into metal, such as a cobalt bit, to bore a hole through the post and the extension. You can then attach a screw or bolt to hold the two together. Reassemble the fence with taller fencing and tension rods, and you're all set. And if that isn't easy enough, there are still several options to make this project even simpler.

When you're looking for the most hassle-free method to add height to your chain link fence, there's a plethora of products to meet your needs. Chain link fence extenders are effortless to install, requiring zero preparation and only a couple of essential tools. Extenders such as the ICITYWALL Chain Link Fence Extensions are simple metal poles with U-shaped slotted ends. The end wraps over the chain link fence's top rail, and a metal bolt acts as a tightener, gripping the end around the metal fence bar like a hose clamp. Just ensure you measure the width of your fence's top rail because the extensions come in various sizes to work for different post diameters. You can also get extensions like the GRELWT Fence Post Extenders with plates that attach to wood faces via screws, a smart idea if you have a California-style chain link fence.

Extensions like these don't work as a sturdy security upgrade, but they're among the easiest and cheapest ways to improve your fence's ability to keep your pets in the yard. Once they're installed, you only have to roll lines of wire or fencing to finish the project. One nice aspect is that you can angle them in any direction, allowing you to adjust the view around your yard. On the flip side, this could imply some stability issues, as they may tilt or fall from excessive weight or heavy wind.

Creating a taller chain link fence is perhaps easiest with fence extensions. But a homemade solution may be better for getting the custom design you want while saving money. One issue with extensions is the fixed height, typically around 20–25 inches, which may not work for your needs. On top of that, you'll have more control over the stability with a DIY addition. A great way to do this is to use another rigid post, like a PVC pipe. The pipes should fit snuggly over T-posts, allowing you to easily adapt your chain link fence posts. To avoid any extra work in fitting properly sized PVC over the posts, you can also sister the pipes along them. Run the bottom foot of PVC along the top foot or so of the metal fence post, and bind them with ties.

Other than PVC, you can also try sistering wood or metal strips to give your fence a taller support. The options are only limited by your imagination. Another DIY option is to repurpose shelving brackets as fencing supports after some quick tweaks with a grinder, like in this YouTube video. It just goes to prove that no matter your skill level, there's no shortage of simple DIY ways to add height to your chain link fence, and no reason you can't confidently complete this project with on-hand materials.