Increasing fence height to improve privacy in the garden - help!

[PitifulPrincess]

I desperately need to increase the height of my back fences after years of being stared and shouted at in my garden, please see my photo for what it looks like.

My back neighbour had a tall fence that was the same height as the dark grey ones you can see but it fell down in a storm 5 years ago and they've never replaced it despite us politely asking. Our fences are 6ft tall, is there something we can add to the top that would be tall enough to stop nosey heads peering over? I've looked at trellis but it doesn't look very private still as they all have large gaps and I don't know how I'd secure it. What can I install considering my current fence posts etc? Would love to know what others in a similar situation have done

Id go for trellis and a zero maintenance option like some of that plastic fake hedge you can buy to attach to it or some woven bamboo screening. Wouldnt look great but would stop the neighbours peeking.

Yes, pleached photinia is a v good idea!

There's a height limit on fences in the UK. Have you ever heard of plants? Some gardens have them. The reason there is gaps in a trellis is because you are supposed to grow climbers in between. Or put some trees there. Trees are the big ones with a brown trunk and loads of green on top.

🤮god the lengths Brits will go to in order to avoid having plants.

We reduced the height of a privet hedge, although it offered great privacy, as it was too high to maintain ourselves. Got it cut professionally and 6 weeks later it was starting to look scruffy. 6 or 7 foot high is fine but not going to give enough screening here so I would go for something that isn't a hedge.

Thanks for all your advice so far, unfortunately plants and trees would take far too long to grow to the height I'd need and I can't stand much longer of being stared at!

But you can buy them already nice and tall. Or build some high beds and plant in those.

Not super expensive. My parents had the exact same issue and planted very tall bamboo from garden centre. Voila. Instant screen.

A large strategically placed canti-lever umbrella would work.

A metal pergola ? With a pull down blind at the back.

The only options here are trees/shrubs or moving. Sorry.

Looking at that fence, I would guess it is just over 1.8m high. There are ways to increase the height when using concrete posts, such as adding a lattice trellis for additional privacy, but this can place extra strain on the existing posts. It also looks as though the post on the left is already leaning, which may indicate it is under stress already (read here of how you can do it - increase fence height.

In addition, trellis toppers are typically a minimum of around 300mm in height, which would likely take the overall fence height above 2m. Anything above this height will usually require planning permission, and there is always the possibility that neighbours may raise concerns.

If it were my property, I would consider installing a small pergola instead. You can generally go up to 2.5m without planning permission. Using three posts with decorative trellis or slatted panels between them would provide additional privacy. For example this wooden corner pergola, although the panels could be swapped for something offering greater screening. If this still does not provide enough privacy, you could also grow climbing plants over the structure.

Fruit trees were two for £15 in Tesco last week. That would be a good place to start. Then some other hedging and plants as already suggested.

You don't want to plant.

and a fence needs planning permission.

looks like you're left with moving house.

Trellis then plant a fast growing climber, an evergreen so it stays all year, try ceanothus, I may have spelt that wrong
Or a plastic ivy if you're desperate while waiting for it to grow

I would plant laurel for the long term and put a covered back and top pergola in the meantime.

Don’t plant beech - it loses its leaves in winter and gives no protection plus leaves everywhere.

Does anyone know why people insist on placing a trampoline (one of the main causes of disputes among neighbours) as close to the boundary as possible?

Because

a) You want the noise as far away from you as possible.

b) You wouldn't have it on the patio close to the house because that's where you lie out and have barbeques etc.

c) You wouldn't put it in the middle of the lawn because the grass wouldn't grow underneath it and it would look crap mowing round it. It would also block the lawn as an activity space.

d) If you put it close to the end fence the kids can get extra entertainment staring at the neighbours.

Thinking outside the box, I would maybe dig a large pit at the end of the garden and put a gazebo structure up.

When the kids bounce they will look straight over your heads and will not be able to look down on you because of the gazebo.

You may find drainage is an issue though.

Alternatively wait 2.5 years until the kids either grow too big or get bored of it, or have an accident - then the parents will dismantle it.

Unfortunately since we moved in 7 years ago they've had more children every 2 years so we have many years of this yet. They also have other equipment in their garden I can see is falling apart and they haven't removed or fixed so I wouldn't expect them to get rid of it. I'll definitely be looking into the options suggested so far as I cannot take another summer of it

Trellis is included within the 2m rule.

We put a Portuguese laurel hedge in. Bought it root balled from an on-line nursery. It grows into a dense tall hedge and would be perfect for your needs. It will take time to grow so get the tallest you can.

As others have said, pleached, evergreen trees will add instant cover because they are already very tall. They will also get bushier as they grow, but will need maintenance and aren't cheap.

unfortunately plants and trees would take far too long to grow to the height I'd need

That's why I suggested a raised bed with your plants - as PP have said buy the tallest you can.

I think something fabric in the short term. It’s lightweight and will block them looking in entirely.
Id then have something growing in the meantime for the long term.

A previous poster suggested a sail-type cover which I think would work well.
I would also consider adding a trellis to the top. If they complain, it's not a big deal to remove it but I'd be surprised if they do complain.