Adding privacy is easy; adding it legally, safely and without provoking a neighbour dispute takes a little more thought. There are usually three viable routes, and only one of them involves replacing the fence.
What's causing it
Original developer spec
New-build boundaries are frequently 1.2m–1.5m panels chosen for cost, not privacy.
Level differences
A neighbour's raised patio or higher ground makes an adequate fence feel far too low.
Overlooking from upper floors
No boundary fence solves first-floor overlooking; screening near the seating area does.
Fix options
Trellis topper
You have headroom under 2m total
Adds height and screening with far less wind load than solid boarding; plants soften it within a season.
Replace with taller closeboard
The fence is due for renewal anyway
Built to 1.8m with proper posts — the cleanest result where the existing run is tired.
Freestanding screen near the patio
Overlooking is from upper windows
A slatted screen or pergola where you sit solves the actual problem; raising the boundary would not.
Hedging in front of the fence
You want height above 2m
Planting is not restricted the way structures are, though high hedges carry their own legislation.
Self-diagnosis: check these first
- 1
Measure the existing height from your side and from the neighbour's — they may differ.
- 2
Check whether the boundary adjoins a highway, where the 1m limit applies.
- 3
Sit where you actually use the garden and identify what you're being overlooked from.
Preventing it happening again
- Agree height changes with the neighbour in writing first
- Keep to 2m overall including trellis under permitted development
- Remember the 1m limit where a boundary adjoins a vehicular highway
Get this fixed properly
Free site visit across London and Hertfordshire, a written specification and a fixed price before anything starts.
Frequently asked
Can I add trellis to take my fence to 2.4m?
Not under permitted development — trellis counts towards the total height.
Does my neighbour have to agree?
If the fence is yours and within permitted heights, no. Agreeing anyway avoids a great deal of trouble.
Will a taller fence blow down more easily?
It carries more wind load, which is why we upgrade posts and spacing when adding height.
Can you raise an existing fence rather than replace it?
Often yes, if the posts are sound and long enough — we check that first.