Wall toppers are one of the most popular projects we build at Mike’s Fences. The allure of installing a wall topper is simple: your block wall is too short and you want privacy - whether just to enjoy your pool in peace or to seriously block off nosy neighbors! Adding a couple feet on top of an existing block wall is an awesome way to increase both privacy and curb appeal.
A Common Problem in Southern California
For whatever reason, the original developers of many housing tracts in Orange County and LA built the block walls too short—often just 4.5 to 5 feet high instead of the standard 6 feet—leaving homeowners looking for a way to increase height without replacing the entire wall. A great solution is a fence topper, which extends your existing wall while also adding a cool architectural feature. Given the strength of Santa Ana winds and the varied condition we find these walls in, it is important to do your homework before building your wall topper!
What to Consider Before Installing a Wall Topper
Before deciding on a wall topper, there are three key factors to consider:
Local Fence Height Regulations
Most cities in Orange County and L.A. allow a solid fence or wall to be a maximum of six feet high. Some cities, like Santa Ana and Long Beach, permit slightly taller fences, while others allow semi-private extensions, such as lattice, above the six-foot mark. For example, both Newport Beach and Huntington Beach allow this semi-private extension. Moreover, if your home is along a major road like PCH, Beach Boulevard, or Katella, you may be able to go up to 8 or even 10 feet, depending on city regulations.
Many homeowners opt for 7- or 8-foot toppers without obtaining a permit since these fences are in the backyard and not visible from the street. If you choose this route, definitely make sure your neighbors are on board—getting their agreement can help prevent potential disputes or project delays. We have found that most neighbors are happy to get a new wall topper since they also want more privacy (especially if you are paying for it!). Usually the only pushback neighbors have is if they are concerned with the structural integrity of the wall (more on that below!)
Installation Methods for Wall Toppers
There are four main ways to attach a wall topper, depending on your wall’s condition:
Coring Posts into the Wall – This is ideal method since it balances a clean finished look with some good strength. We core the posts 8 inches or deeper into the wall and secure them with epoxy concrete, creating a sturdy and seamless look. This method works can only be used if the block wall is in good shape and has at least 6-inch thick blocks (won't work for 4-inch walls!). We typically use 2"x2" black metal posts since they are strong and require a smaller core than a 4"x4" wood post.
The front and back of a Hardwood Horizontal Fence Wall Topper in San Juan Capistrano. Coring 2"x2" metal posts into the wall allows for a clean finish on both sides. Post Bases or Brackets on Top of the Wall – Similar to coring but slightly less strong, this method uses a post base and bolts to secure the posts to the top of the wall (or you can have a bracket/flange welded on to your post!). This requires a level and solid wall surface. We typically only use this method if the homeowner wants less impact to their existing wall (usually if the wall has a stucco finish).
A common bracket/base we use is the Simpson E-Z Post Base. The Box Method – This involves building a wood box frame and bolting it both into the wall and to the next box. This is definitely the most common installation technique in Orange County/Los Angeles; however, it is the least strong method and we regularly see these wall toppers leaning or falling over. We will only use this method only when homeowners want the wood to be flush with the wall and for whatever reason the other options are not available to us.
Posts Mounted Down the Face of the Wall – In cases where the wall isn’t structurally sound enough for coring or if there is some issue either the top line of blocks, we attach 2x4 or 4x4 posts down the face of the wall and install the fence on the outside of these posts. The posts can extend as little as 16" down the wall but we typically prefer extending the posts further (occasionally extending to the ground). This provides stability and is typically be a good solution for walls where the top blocks don't have the strength to have a post installed from the top. The downside of this approach is that it results in the topper sitting slightly inside your yard rather than flush with the wall.
Note how the posts are on the outside of the wall so the fence topper is not flush. Horizontal cedar wall topper is in Mission Viejo, CA. Cool Solution: To help hide the posts, we can paint the posts to match the color of the wall which will help the posts blend into the wall and allow the topper to stand out. Check out this picture below where we painted the posts white to match the wall and stained the wood so the topper still pops, but the posts are relatively hidden.
Note how we painted the posts white to match the wall here in Tustin. This is a great solution if you need to install the posts on the face of the wall instead of on top.
Evaluating Your Existing Block Wall
The condition and construction of your wall play a big role in how a wall topper can be installed. Consider these factors:
Is the wall structurally sound? If the wall wobbles when pushed or has major cracks, it may not support a topper. A good solution for you would be the Face Mounted Post Solution.
How is the wall constructed? The type of wall construction determines the best installation method for your topper. Here are some common construction types:
Traditional CMU: Made with 6" or 8" blocks with rebar spaced throughout the wall. These are typically easy to install a wall topper on and you can use the Core Method or (occasionally) the Bracket Method.
Traditional CMU Block Wall with a Composite Horizontal fence wall topper in Pilaster and Floating Block: If your wall has a thick pilaster (a pillar-like block thicker than the rest of the wall) every 10'-12' and 4" block between the pilasters, this is you. This type of wall is super common in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Westminster—but we also see it in Costa Mesa and other cities. Many developers in these areas built them in their housing tracks, often frustratingly short (5' or less typically). For this you will likely need to use the Face Mounted Method.
See how narrow this wall is in Huntington Beach (*only 4 inches!). You can also see the pilaster further down the wall (much wider and the source of strength typically for this type of wall). Traditional CMU with Cap: Usually these are built from solid concrete caps or bricks. Solid concrete caps are usually not a problem for this type of wall (and if it is new/well-built, you may be able to use the bracket install method), but a brick cap can be more challenging. In some cases, we may need to remove the bricks to install the post. The method of installation can vary depending on whether we can core through the top cap or not.
This brick wall cap for this hardwood horizontal fence topper in San Clemente, CA was compromised in certain places (see left) so we ended up needing to remove a few bricks to install the posts and then reinstall the bricks after. Traditional CMU with Decorative Top Row of Blocks: This type of wall can be difficult for wall topper installation since the decorative blocks typically need to be removed first if you want to core/mount the posts on top of the wall. If you want to keep the decorative block, you will need to use the Face Mounted Method.
Choosing the Right Wall Topper Style
Most homeowners choose between three main wall topper styles:
Horizontal Slats – This is the most popular option, offering a modern look that is cost-effective and easy to build. Horizontal boards work particularly well on wall toppers since they create a natural extension of the existing wall.
Hardwood horizontal wall topper in Huntington Beach, CA Traditional – Cap&Trim, Dog-Ear, or Flat Top Fences provide a classic fence look on top of the wall, blending well with different home styles.
Flat Top Redwood fence wall topper in Torrance, CA Lattice – Lattice toppers have been popular for decades because they are relatively affordable and adds a touch of privacy - especially if you grow vines on it. Since they don't provide full privacy, lattice wall toppers have become less popular in Orange County and Los Angeles.
For more inspiration, check out our Style Guide for Fences, which goes a little deeper on various fence types that can be used for wall toppers.
If you want to get a quick estimate on how much a wall topper would cost, check out our instant quote tool where you can measure your fence online and get a cost range!
Get Started on Your Wall Topper!
A wall topper is a simple and effective way to improve your backyard privacy while enhancing the aesthetics of your home. If you live in Orange County or Los Angeles and you’re considering adding a fence to your existing block wall, drop us a line at Mike’s Fences! You can email us or shoot us a call/text at (949) 610-6859!