Fence options for backyard with canal and retaining wall

Joined
30 Apr 2024
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Country
United States
Hi. I’m planning to build a fence in my backyard in Florida, primarily for my child’s and pets safety. The yard borders a freshwater canal, and there’s a CMU retaining wall/seawall at the back. Since the yard is relatively small, I’d prefer to install the fence directly on top of the retaining wall or directly next to it to save space, but I want to ensure this won’t compromise the wall’s strength, especially during hurricane winds.

The seawall has water pressure on one side and soil on the other, which I assume helps stabilize it, but I’m not certain how it was built. I know it’s made of CMU with a solid block cap, but I don’t have details about reinforcement or foundation.

I’d like the fence to be no more than 4 feet tall, see-through to maintain the view, and with a flat top so that I could fish from the canal. I’m currently considering hog wire with a wood frame, a flat-top aluminum fence, or an euro grid fence, so that it lets the winds theough, but I’m open to other options if they are more suitable for this situation.

I’m considering three options for installation:

1. Mounting the fence on top of the wall using brackets
2. Drilling holes into the wall and securing posts inside with epoxy or concrete
3. Installing the fence directly in front of the wall, either poured or driven

If I go with the third option, would it be better to drive the posts into the ground or embed them in poured concrete? If concrete is used, would it be fine for the footing to adhere to the wall, or should I use a material to separate the post concrete footing from the wall?

Which option would you recommend for structural stability?

Thank you!
 

Attachments

  • 20250109_233812.jpg
    20250109_233812.jpg
    1.2 MB · Views: 26
Sponsored Links
I wonder if the OP's idea of small, is anything like our idea of small? :)

Anyway in the UK we would never recommend fitting any fence to the top of a wall, fit it just behind, any of your fence choices would be fine, fit which one you like the look of the most.
 

DIYnot Local

Staff member

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Sponsored Links
Back
Top