Our backyard is lovely, but it had one clear drawback: the side wall facing the street was only 4 feet 10 inches tall. That low height made it easy for passersby to see into the yard, and someone could easily hop the wall. With several daytime break-ins reported in our neighborhood, we decided it was time to improve privacy and security by raising the back wall.
The existing wall was basic masonry with a short red brick cap. Rebuilding with more brick would have been costly and unnecessary given the ordinary materials, so we chose a simpler, faster solution: extend the wall with wood fencing.
We hired R & M Fencing in West LA to handle the job. They added three feet to the top of the masonry wall using redwood slats mounted to a timber frame that was bolted to the wall. They also constructed a custom gate that matches the new fence extension, making the final result cohesive and functional.
For additional privacy around the gate, they installed 1×1 wood trim so people couldn’t peek through gaps. They also added an attractive topper across the slats to give the fence a finished look. After sealing the wood with Thompson WaterSeal, the crew finished the entire job in about five hours, leaving us with a much more secure yard.
We like the natural look of redwood, which can be stained or painted if desired. For now, we chose to keep the redwood au naturel to preserve its warm, organic appearance.
Simple improvements like this serve as an effective deterrent to theft and can increase your home’s curb appeal and value. We’re very pleased with the work R & M Fence did — professional, efficient, and well executed.
Note: Check local building codes and municipal regulations before altering fence or wall heights. Many cities and homeowner associations have specific rules about how tall fences and walls can be, so it’s important to verify compliance before starting a project.