Making a fence climb proof

[HamAndEggs]

I'm looking for suggestions on how to make a fence like this, climb proof (Or at last make it harder!)



I constructed this fence around my AC units, and I made sure the pickets were on the outside on the front, but since the side backs up to a neighbors driveway I decided to make the pickets face inside long the side. So I can maintain the fence easier

The downside is that along their driveway which is not gated off, is rails like in the picture. So someone COULD climb it. I decided it wasn't worth worrying about at first, but now I'm trying to figure out of there is a simple way of making it harder to climb

My first thoughts were to just get a 2x4 and slice it corner to corner, and just screw it on. Easy! But of course my table saw only goes to 45 degrees, and a 45 cut on a 2x4 seems pretty easy to get a foot onto

Maybe if I had a bandsaw or something I could slice the 2x4, but I don't!

Any good suggestions? I have a lot of scrap lumber so I've been toying around with stuff, but I can't find anything that really feels right

 

[jar944]

Put pickets on the back side.

Typically the fence rails are on the inside.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'll second the pickets on the back side.


Wife talked about doing a fence years ago. I told her that I'm looking at the nice side of the fence if I'm paying $$$ for it. Everyone else can look at the ugly side.

Granted, it would have been a single property line fence between us and the neighbors.

 

[duneslider]

So, what exactly are you trying to prevent here? Its a relatively short fence and anyone really interested is going to be over that fence from either side in no time. My 5 year old is over our vinyl fence in nothing flat. Sure those three rails make it easier but still anyone interested is going over that fence in no time flat.

These are called privacy fences, just keeps everyone walking and driving by from seeing you. If you want to keep people out you need to make it taller or add some razor wire at the top.

 

[FMB4]

You could install slats on the picket side. Would, of course, take some cutting and fitting tho.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

I don't know that anything you do is really going to keep a determined person from climbing it, but I would do one of the coyote fences. There are other varieties in which this sectiuon is angled \, which I think would be more effective for humans.

 

[Skooterj]

Razor wire?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S8CDPYK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tinmanwpk]

There is no such thing as a "climb proof" fence. You are only going to slow them down. And a wooden fence such as yours is easily broken into if they want to take your a/c unit.

 

[bucolic]

I agree with others in it will not be possible to make it climb proof. The height alone allows people to simply pull themselves over.

On a side note, the unrailed or good side always goes towards the neighbors. Many municipalities actually have this in the code and a complaining neighbor could result in someone having to redo the fence. Plus, your property looks nicer as most people will only see your fence from the other side! There are fences that look good on both sides though if this is a concern.

Which Side of My Fence Should Face the Neighbor? | Smucker Fencing

When it comes to a wooden privacy fence or a picket fence, the finished or “nice” side of the fence should face your neighbors. Not only is this common courtesy, this is a rule enforced by the vast majority of townships and boroughs.

www.smuckerfence.com

 

[p00p]

going to need to increase the height to make it somewhat effective. Otherwise, just staple a bunch of job application to the fence & hand up some work boots along the top.

 

[nadogail]

A generous application of Concertina Wire will make your fence Climb Resistant.

A "Climb Proof " fence on our Southern Border has been proven to be only Climb Resistant.

 

[bucolic]

A generous application of Concertina Wire will make your fence Climb Resistant.

A "Climb Proof " fence on our Southern Border has been proven to be only Climb Resistant.

That would do it but also increase the chance of liability, unfortunately. One neighborhood kid slices his arm open and some slick lawyer will be convincing a jury that your garbage cans and air conditioner compressor don't really require razor wire protection

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Corrugated metal would do a good job. Not cheap, but the stuff will outlast a wood fence.

 

[FredWanaker]

slats on the rail side but cut them even with the top so leaves don't collect between the tops.

 

[alfazer]

Anti-climb paint is useful as a deterrent and makes a mess of anyone who wants to try.

 

[ToddG]

Electric fence would slow them a bit...

 

[Viper98912]

We really need to know what exactly you're looking to keep out. Nosy neighbors? Kids coming over to get their football? Thieves coming to take your A/C? You can dig a pit with alligators, you can put up barbed wire (on the back side, below the fence line), you can put up additional pieces of wood on the other side, etc. So it really depends on what you're looking to do...

 

[nolimits76]

Not much you can do really. Even if they get over the fence and do something stupid to hurt themselves, you and your insurance is still liable.

One of my first properties I bought had a pool. I was advised by a lawyer buddy to put locks on the gate and signs saying no trespassing. Effectively you want to prove you did all within your power to prevent an accident so if things got nasty and went to court you stand a chance of winning.

However, ultimately if someone jumps the fence and jumps in your pool and drowns, you are liable. Just like if you have a party and a drunken friend falls and breaks their leg. Granted they should be friends but people get weird sometimes when opportunity knocks.

I would have a little fun with it personally.

 

[Wrench97]

They bring a sawzall to cut the A/C condenser out the wood fence won't stop them.......................................

 

[RivennHewn]

There is no such thing as a "climb proof" fence.

Not true.

I just put up a chain link fence that had the holes so small, you couldn’t get a finger in them.

Actually, you couldn’t get within 10’ of the fence without lights and sirens going off.

It also had shaker alarms and the system could tell if it was being cut anywhere along its entire length.

Add the lasers, motion detectors, numerous cameras (different sorts), Generator backup, constant monitoring,and the razor wire on top, and nobody will ever climb that fence.

 

[f121]

Spray it with used gear oil.

a buddy had issues with neighbouring kids climbing his fence to get on the roof of his shop, he complained to their parents who just laughed, so he sprayed the fence and back of the shop with the contents of the waste oil drum - engine oil, brake fluid, gear oil. Suddenly the parents were really motivated to control their kids

 

[73fxe]

This Summer I watched a crack head jump a 6' fence from the picket side. He grabbed the top and jumped. He didn't slow down until He kicked in the door of the house next door.

 

[sixty4]

put up a camera if its the kids in nieghborhood. Then you show the parents

 

[Kenstone1]

My 1st thought is buy carpet tack strips and put them on top of the rails with a brad nailer.
Would not do much to thick soled shoes but would stop hand-holds for sure.
Tack strips could be spayed stained to match the rails before install and be less noticeable once installed.
jmo,
Edit: OP cutting a 2x4 corner to corner is not a 45 degree angle,
Stand the 2x4 on edge to cut corner to corner should be doable.
Edit2: That coyote fencing pic'd above, ON THE INSIDE, would keep anyone who got in from getting back out!
.

 

[marak]

Make the topmost part of the fence frangible. When someone places their hands on top of a dog-eared fence they can get over the fence. I am an ice/rock climber and can do a one finger pull-up. Give me an 8-foot, grease covered, dog-eared fence an I will get over it, no worries! Now, if the top-most part of the fence is frangible, good luck!

My goal is to slow them down as they try to exit my property, that is, if they can get onto my property. Slowing them down gives me more time to hurt their *** for entering my property without permission.

Check local codes regarding barbed/constantine wire/razor wire, as not all locations allow it. I have cheapo razor wire that I plan on placing on the inside top of my fence, so if some a-hole tries to climb over he is likely to have a bad day. This is only being installed on the fence along the alley, whether the muni approves or not. It won't be seen from the alley and if I have to explain to a judge why it was placed there, well, that is okay because I figure the ******-handed a-hole will also be in the courtroom.

 

[Firebrick43]

new zealand 6joule fence charger. I had a cow that hit it, went to her knees, eyes crossed and let out a mornful bellow. Animals don't mess with them again. I got hit on the back of my thumb once. Felt like I had put it up on an anvil and smacked it with a two pound hammer for a few minutes. Uncle was knocked flat on his back. No lasting effects except fear.

I had a stayfix but it was always being repaired. My current cyclops has lasted now 8 years with no issues other than 1 fuse. Much simpler.

 

[Spareparts]

Big Dog, and a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign

 

[mark-NJ]

There's always this....

 

[ChefRex]

Is that poop on top of the wall anchored?

 

[InsanePyro]

Automated turrets

 

[wake74]

There's always this....

Thats where I was going to go with the answer. Every third world country I've been in used broken glass bottles on top of the fence for security. The ambulance chasers here would have a field day with that. I can see the commercials, "Hurt while scaling a strangers fence? Call today, we'll get you the money you deserve"

 

[73project]

Have you watched World War Z? Those zombies scaled a 100' wall! You don't stand a chance!

 

[nadogail]

Big Dog, and a "BEWARE OF DOG" sign

Your sign would be more effective if it said DOG HELL, BEWARE OF THE OWNER!

 

[RivennHewn]

If you really want a challenge, make it rabbit proof.

 

[WVBrady]

There's always this....

That looks like some of the places near where I stayed in Mazatlan!

 

[Max78]

There's always this....

I kid you not my family has a nice house in Mexico with glass shards just like that on the walls that surround the house!

Depending on the level of deterrence, either an electric fence for dogs, or an electric fence for 10 mile cattle ranch. Run the ground and hot about 2 inches apart otherwise you will have a birds baking on them all the time.

 

[mmb617]

Your sign would be more effective if it said DOG HELL, BEWARE OF THE OWNER!

I disagree. A lot of criminals who don't worry about getting shot still won't go one on one with a mean dog.

Anything you could do to make a fence really climb resistant would open you up to getting sued when someone got hurt. That's just the society we live in. The biggest thing that would help is to go higher. I think an 8 ft tall fence would be much more effective but that height would also violate local ordinances in a lot of places.

 

[Skooterj]

I kid you not my family has a nice house in Mexico with glass shards just like that on the walls that surround the house!

Depending on the level of deterrence, either an electric fence for dogs, or an electric fence for 10 mile cattle ranch. Run the ground and hot about 2 inches apart otherwise you will have a birds baking on them all the time.

I was in Cancun 2 weeks ago, and saw a wall with glass shards on top of it along the highway that was put up around a very expensive all inclusive resort. I wonder if it more Jaguar protection than anything else. A person would just throw a blanket over it/break off the glass.

 

[laser3kw]

Check local codes regarding barbed/constantine wire/razor wire, as not all locations allow it.

I think an 8 ft tall fence would be much more effective but that height would also violate local ordinances in a lot of places.

As mentioned, check local codes. Some codes specify height, appearance and may state that the top cannot come to sharp point or other injurious feature.

 

[Metallitubby]

Put up a "NOW HIRING" sign. No one will go near it.