You’d be surprised how many people assume a high fence equals high security. It’s understandable – taller looks tougher. But real security fencing isn’t about looking intimidating. It’s about what it actually does when someone tries to get through, over, or around it.
Height helps, sure. But on its own? Not enough.
Think about it – if a six-foot fence has bolts you can undo with a spanner, or wide gaps you can squeeze through, then what’s the point?
Strength
What really makes a fence “high security” is its strength and how it handles pressure (physical pressure like cutting tools, crowbars, impacts, etc.) But also, pressure over time. Can someone get past it quickly, without drawing attention? If so, it’s a weak link.
Materials
Materials are huge here. Steel that flexes a little but doesn’t give way – that’s good. Panels that can’t be pulled off. No easy fixings you can get at with basic tools. Some systems even ditch bolts altogether for that reason.
Difficult to Climb?
And then there’s the climb factor. You want something awkward to scale. Smooth surfaces, no horizontal footholds, narrow gaps, or anything that makes climbing it slow or risky. The longer someone’s up there fumbling, the more chance they give themselves away. Which is kind of the point.
Lochrin Bain have produced a great article on how to choose the best anti climb fence.
Installation
Installation? That’s often where things fall apart. Literally. If a fence isn’t anchored deep enough, or the ground underneath hasn’t been prepared properly, it can shift, sag, or worse, it can lift straight out. Doesn’t matter how strong the panels are if they’re held in place by laziness.
Visibility
Also worth thinking about is visibility. A solid fence might seem secure, but it can also create blind spots. If no one can see what’s happening on the other side, is that really safer? Sometimes it’s better to have a fence that you can see through – one that works with your cameras and patrols, not against them.
Conclusion
End of the day, “high security” isn’t a marketing term (or at least it shouldn’t be). It’s about slowing people down, making access difficult, and ideally stopping attempts altogether. And that comes down to design, materials, fixing methods, and the person putting it in, not just how big and scary it looks.
If you’re in charge of a site and thinking about fencing, look beyond the surface. Ask real questions. Because the fence that looks the toughest isn’t always the one that holds up when it counts.