How to Choose the Right Privacy Screen for Gardens and Balconies

Enjoying your garden, terrace, or balcony shielded from prying eyes—who doesn't dream of that? To maintain your privacy, protect yourself from the wind, or even create a welcome shady spot, installing a privacy screen is often the simplest and most effective solution. But with an overwhelming number of options available, it can be hard to know where to start.

Don't worry! This guide is here to help you see things more clearly. We'll break down the essential criteria for making the right choice before presenting our selection of the best current models to help you peacefully set up your outdoor space.

Buying Guide: Key Criteria for Choosing Your Privacy Screen

Before you take the plunge, a few technical points deserve your attention. These will guarantee the effectiveness and longevity of your installation.

1. Opacity Level: How Much Privacy Do You Need?

This is the number one criterion: what level of privacy do you want? The opacity level, expressed as a percentage, measures the screen's ability to block the view.

• Light screening (60-80%): Ideal if you simply want to reduce how much you're overlooked without completely cutting yourself off from your surroundings. It allows light and some air to pass through.
• High screening (85-95%): This is the most common choice for a garden privacy screen or a balcony screen. It offers excellent protection from prying eyes while still allowing for slight air circulation.
• Total blackout (99-100%): If your goal is maximum privacy and complete sun protection, a 100% screening net is the solution to opt for.

2. Material and Density: A Guarantee of Durability

The material and its density (the well-known grammage in g/m?) are crucial for assessing the robustness and lifespan of your privacy screen.

• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE): This is a very common material for screening fabric for fences. It is valued for its resistance to tears, weather, and UV rays. A high grammage (over 150 g/m?) is often synonymous with better long-term durability.
• Textilene (PVC and polyester): This composite offers a textile-like aesthetic with excellent resistance. Often heavier, it is particularly suitable as a terrace windbreak thanks to its stable structure.

A reinforced privacy screen with eyelets is also a real plus. The eyelets, preferably made of a stainless metal like aluminium, facilitate a solid and durable attachment, preventing tears caused by the wind.

3. Ease of Installation

Good news: most fabric or net privacy screens are designed for easy installation. Check for eyelets on the top and bottom edges, as well as their spacing. Regular spacing (every 30 to 50 cm) allows for even tension and a secure attachment using ties, clips, or wire to a wire mesh, balcony railing, or existing fence.

Our Privacy Screen Recommendations

To guide you, we have scoured the market and selected three models that stand out, each meeting specific needs while combining performance and quality.

1. Tenax Coimbra Woven Screening Net - Green, 2.00?x?5?m

Why it stands out The Coimbra model is designed for those seeking maximum screening. With its 230 g/m? density and woven design, it provides a 100% blackout effect, creating a highly effective visual barrier and windbreak.

Benefits

• Total blackout: Ideal for complete privacy on a balcony, terrace, or along a swimming pool.
• High resistance: Its high density and anti-UV treatment give it great durability against weather and fading.
• Versatile installation: The edges are equipped with reinforced eyelets for simple and solid attachment, both vertically and horizontally.
• Easy to cut: Its non-fraying mesh allows it to be cut to the desired dimensions without risk of unravelling.

Who is it for? For those who want to create a completely private space that is protected from the wind, whether in a garden or on an exposed balcony.

2. Tenax Bahia Woven Privacy Screen - Green, 1.00?x?5?m

Why it stands out The Tenax Bahia offers an excellent compromise between aesthetics and functionality. Its flat weave gives it a textile-like appearance, while its 180 g/m? density ensures good screening and reliable resistance.

Benefits

• Decorative look: Its neat finish and vibrant colour enhance outdoor spaces.
• Good screening: Provides an effective visual barrier for gardens, terraces, and balconies.
• Durable material: Made of high-density polyethylene, it resists tears and retains its colour over time.
• Easy to maintain: A simple spray with a hose is all it takes to restore its new look.

Who is it for? For those looking for a solution that is both functional for preserving their privacy and decorative for enhancing their outdoor space.

3. Tenax Texstyle Double Privacy Net - Grey, 1.00?x?5?m

Why it stands out The Texstyle Double positions itself as a high-end screening solution, focusing on modern design and remarkable robustness. Its very high grammage of 580 g/m? and its PVC and polyester composition make it a particularly resistant and elegant product.

Benefits

• Elegant design: The two-tone grey weave with silver threads offers a modern and refined look.
• Very high resistance: Its composition and high weight make it waterproof, tear-proof, and very stable against the wind.
• Premium finish: Equipped with stainless aluminium eyelets every 30 cm and folded edges for increased durability.
• Quality material: The PVC and polyester composite is anti-UV treated and does not fray when cut.

Who is it for? For discerning users who prioritise contemporary aesthetics and maximum durability for their gates, fences, or terraces.

Looking for Other Options?

Our selection focuses on versatile fabrics, but the world of privacy screens is much broader. Composite wood panels, natural reed screening, decorative trellises... there is no shortage of alternatives if you are looking for a different style.

To find inspiration and explore a wider range, take a look at our complete catalogue.

? Discover our full range of Patio Privacy Lattice Panels

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the recommended height for a privacy screen?

The ideal height depends on your needs and the location. For a balcony, a height of 1 m to 1.20 m is often sufficient to maintain privacy when seated. For a garden fence, standard heights range from 1.50 m to 2 m for effective screening. Remember to consult your local planning regulations: they may impose specific rules on fence heights.

2. How do you attach a screening net to a wire fence so it can withstand the wind?

For a heavy-duty attachment, use high-quality fasteners (UV-treated cable ties, staples, or galvanised wire) passed through each eyelet of the screen. Make sure to pull the fabric taut during installation. A crucial point: ensure that your support structure (wire fence, railing) is itself robust and securely anchored to the ground to withstand the wind load.

3. Can a fabric privacy screen be cut to size?

Absolutely. Most modern HDPE or Textilene privacy screens are designed with a "non-fraying" or "ladder-proof" mesh. This means you can cut them with standard scissors without them unravelling, as is the case with the products in our selection. As a precaution, however, always check for this feature in the product description before purchasing.