My Garden

Adding trellison top of concrete fence posts

Last post 27-08-2009 11:02 PM by Aging Misery. 6 replies.

• 15/06/2009 11:50 AM

  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33

  Reply | Contact  I hope this is the right forum to be asking for advice about this.  I have a fairly plain line of fencing with concrete posts to the top of the fence panels.  I was hoping to add a line of trellis above the fence but as the concrete posts end at fence height, this means that there is not anything to attach them to.  I was wondering if anyones knows of a way to accomplish this without the need to remove all of the posts and replace with larger ones, this would be both work intensive, expensive, and will no doubt damage surrounding plants.  Is there some sort of post extention for this task?  Adding a wooden extention to the concrete posts would not be a problem as I am hoping that with times climbers will be covering a large amount.  Also, there are plenty of products on the market that would allow me to paint the posts to blnd in more with eachother.  The problem is that as yet I have no been able to locate any kind of solution!   Any suggestions are very welcome, please. Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 16/06/2009 07:47 AM

  In reply to

  oldhippy Location: Surrey Joined on: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 74

  Reply | Contact Hi Kesira I sorry to say I've not heard of any post top extensions on the market, I don't know if the people who make Metposts may do something, you could try contacting them. The problem with concrete posts is that they are surprisingly brittle so it's not really possible to attach to them by drilling. It would have to be some sort of metal 'sleeve' type of arrangement. I suppose a local blacksmith could knock something up for you (probably cheaper than replacing the posts) If you want to remove them - well that's a mission in itself If they were put in correctly in the first place. In the trade, unless it is critical, the post is generally broken off at just below ground level. If you need to remove a large number it's a JCB type job - the post plus concrete footing is seriously heavy especially when sunk in soil. The easiest solution would be to erect the trellis on new wooden posts sunk just inside the line of the original. Or alternatively attach the trellis directly to the fence with strengtheners down the edges - if you have some leeway between the fence and post or can create some (I'm assuming they're slotted posts) you could use metal strip down the edge - a decent builders merchant may have suitable metalwork you could use. oldhippy

• 16/06/2009 12:08 PM	In reply to
  Kesira Location: Elkesley, Nottinghamshire Joined on: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 33	Reply | Contact  Thanks for those suggestions Oldhippy.  I can see that they are workable and will be off to see what is available this afternoon :)  Will keep you 'posted' (sorry couldn't resist). Gardening Tip When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it was a valuable plant.

• 30/06/2009 08:47 AM	In reply to
  obamausa Location: Washington Joined on: 30 Jun 2009 Posts: 1	Reply | Contact  Thanks everyone for your support, you're the best!!     pret auto

• 26/08/2009 10:02 AM

  In reply to

  James Gardner Location: Cambridgeshire Joined on: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 29

  Reply | Contact Hi, Just a word of warning. If your fence is already close to 2metres high you will require planning permission to go any higher, even with trellis. Generally this is only enforced if a neighbour complains so most people get away with not making a planning application. Check with your neighbours and find out if they will object and then make an informed decission on how you are going to proceed. Also you can use any masonary paint on the concrete posts, though brown can be hard to find! James Gardner

• 26/08/2009 11:36 AM	In reply to
  Arrem Location: West Midlands. UK Joined on: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 90	Reply | Contact  I suppose it is not possible to lift the existing fence panels out and saw 12"-18" off the height.  Then slot them back in. Wouldn't that then leave enough room for the trellis to be fitted? There is no such thing as useless - you can always be a bad example.

• 27/08/2009 11:02 PM

  In reply to

  Aging Misery Location: woking Joined on: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 78

  Reply | Contact It is possible to attch lenghts of 4''/1" to the front and rear face of the concrete posts extending to the height you require. (take care with the screws / plugs) Affix 4"x4" post segments above the concrete posts and attach whatever trellis you like. (All assuming tat the existing p[osts are 4x4) The bonus here is that the uprights can be painted any colour you like - it will need to be treated with something regardless. Beetling ahead....maybe.........?