Wall-top, freestanding or piggyback: choosing an electric fence
The biggest design decision for an electric fence is what it sits on. This guide compares wall-top, freestanding and piggyback fences, explains where each suits Pretoria properties, and lists the questions to ask before you choose.
The three main types
- Wall-top. Brackets are fixed to the top of an existing boundary wall and the strands run above it. The most common type on Pretoria homes.
- Freestanding. The fence stands on its own posts in the ground, with no wall underneath. Used on open boundaries, long perimeters and smallholdings.
- Piggyback. The fence is clamped onto an existing palisade, mesh or other fence, using it as the support.
Wall-top fences
A wall-top fence adds height to a wall without taking up garden space, and on a sound plastered or face-brick wall it is usually the simplest option. Brackets can be straight up, or angled outward or inward, depending on what you want to deter and what the neighbours and the rules allow.
The wall has to be strong enough to hold the brackets. Cracks, crumbling plaster and weak sections near corners and gate pillars need attention first. On a sloping stand, a wall that steps down the slope needs brackets at each step, which adds parts and labour. Shared walls need the neighbour's agreement.
Freestanding fences
A freestanding fence is a self-contained barrier. It suits boundaries without a wall, such as the back of a stand that faces open ground, a long side boundary on a smallholding, or an industrial yard. It can be built to the height you need, and it can follow the ground.
Because it needs its own posts, a freestanding fence usually involves more structural work than a wall-top fence of the same length. Vegetation on both sides has to be kept clear, and the earth system and zones need careful planning on a long run. It also takes up a strip of ground, which matters on a smaller stand.
Piggyback fences
Many Pretoria homes have palisade at the front, either the whole street boundary or a section near the gate. A piggyback fence uses that palisade as its support, with brackets clamped to the uprights and strands running along it. It avoids replacing a palisade that is in good condition.
The existing fence must be sound and the strands kept clear of the metal. A piggyback section often joins a wall-top section at a corner, so ask how the two will be connected and zoned.
Mixed boundaries are normal
Most properties do not have one type of boundary all the way round. A typical Pretoria house might have palisade and a gate in front, plastered walls on the sides, and a precast or older wall at the back. The answer is often a mix: piggyback in front, wall-top on the sides and back, with the gate handled by a bypass. A good installer will walk the whole boundary and explain why each section is done the way it is.
How each affects the quote
We do not publish prices, but the choice affects the quote in predictable ways. Wall-top work depends on the length of wall, the condition of the wall, the bracket height, corners and steps. Freestanding work adds posts, foundations or anchors, and often more strands. Piggyback work depends on the state of the existing fence and how much of it there is. All three share the energizer, zones, battery, earthing, warning signs and certificate. Our guide to what moves an electric fence quote covers the rest.
Rules, approvals and the certificate
In a complex or estate, the perimeter and anything visible from the street or common areas may be controlled by the body corporate or estate, which may limit what type of fence you can choose. Ask before you design. Whatever type you choose, any new electric fence must comply with SANS 10222-3, and the user or lessor must hold a valid Electric Fence System Certificate of Compliance, issued only by a registered Electric Fence System Installer (source: ECA(SA)). This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Is my wall strong enough for brackets along its whole length?
- Which sections would you do wall-top, freestanding or piggyback, and why?
- How will the gates and corners be handled?
- How many zones would you suggest, and where would the energizer go?
- What clearance will the strands need from plants, the wall and the palisade?
- Is the certificate included, and can I see your EFSI registration?
Next steps
See electric fence installation, or local pages such as installation in Faerie Glen and installation in Sinoville. For long perimeters, see estates, complexes and business.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of electric fence is most common in Pretoria?
On homes with a solid boundary wall, wall-top fences are the usual choice. Many properties also have a piggyback section on front palisade.
Can I put an electric fence on a precast wall?
Sometimes. The installer checks whether the panels and posts can hold brackets securely. If not, a freestanding section may be suggested.
When does a freestanding fence make sense?
Where there is no wall, such as an open back boundary, a smallholding or a long perimeter.
Does the fence type change the certificate?
No. Any type of new electric fence must comply with SANS 10222-3 and needs a valid certificate.