The sun is out… Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen—you are all set for a tanning session on your balcony or terrace! But there is one problem… you are not alone! What can you do to preserve your outdoor relaxation time from overlooking neighbors? To protect your privacy from prying eyes, it is quite simple: you just need to install a privacy screen. As a bonus, it can even shelter you from the wind and excess sun. A three-in-one installation! But what should you choose: an artificial hedge, fabric, or wooden slats? Do you know if you are authorized to install whatever you want on your balcony? Don’t panic, we will break it down for you.
Why install a privacy screen for your balcony?
Before diving into the choice of a privacy screen for your balcony, let’s look at what it is and its main uses.
What is a privacy screen?
A privacy screen, sometimes called a screening fence, serves as its name suggests to protect a private space from prying eyes. It can be a natural hedge, wooden barriers, but also PVC, fabric… the options are numerous but the goal is the same: to preserve your privacy, even on your balcony, terrace, or in your garden!
Why put one on your balcony?
Installing a privacy screen on your balcony brings several benefits. It is used, of course, to protect yourself from the gaze of neighbors or passers-by, but not only that.
- Protecting your privacy. This is the number one criterion when looking to install a privacy screen: hiding our outdoor space from prying eyes with an opaque privacy screen.
- Limiting overlooking views. This works both ways. You are, of course, protected from the gaze of others, but you also enjoy a view that you choose. A pretty artificial hedge decorated with lanterns is a more pleasant view than sometimes intrusive neighbors or a busy street.
- Shielding from sun and wind. Depending on the height and style of privacy screen chosen, it can also offer some shade and limit the wind. A significant advantage in case of high heat: you can install plants at the base of your privacy screen without fearing they will burn in August. It is also very pleasant to enjoy your terrace in the evening without the chill of the wind, and to avoid gusts that might knock over the dishes on your table.
- Adding a decorative touch. Choosing a privacy screen also means choosing a color, material, and shape that enhances your balcony. Some will prefer greenery, with a natural or artificial hedge, others wood, fabric… Let your imagination run wild! The privacy screen can also be a support for small decorations to your taste: lanterns, flower pots, mirrors, accessories… the possibilities are endless!
Read also: The privacy screen: a decorative element for your exterior!
Color, height… can I install the balcony privacy screen of my choice?
Well no, unfortunately, you cannot always install just any privacy screen anywhere. Remember that your freedom ends where another’s begins. In other words, it is important to take your neighbors and the overall view into account.
The first thing to do is to check with your co-ownership association (syndic). Generally, you will find useful information and imposed limits there. The view of the facade from the street must remain relatively uniform, so it is understandable why installing a four-meter-high fuchsia pink privacy screen might be a problem. Conversely, a discreet hedge or reed screening is generally accepted.
If no information is indicated in the co-ownership regulations, turn to the town hall. The PLU (Local Urban Plan) or POS (Land Use Plan) gives you the limits to respect for fences or other privacy screens.
Note: Think of your neighbors! Installing a very high privacy screen may protect you, but it can also deprive them of sunlight. They would then be entitled to ask you to remove it. And that’s a good thing, because it works both ways and also protects you from neighbors who might encroach on your sunshine.
How to choose your privacy screen?
Have you checked the rules of your co-ownership or those imposed by the town hall and are now ready to choose the privacy screen of your dreams? Here are a few tips to consider when making your choice:
Your balcony’s exposure
A south-facing balcony on a high floor in a very sunny region will have much more natural light than a balcony located on the 1st floor, facing north in a relatively rainy area. Between these two extremes lie all other possible orientations and different floors across the country. The sun does not impact all balconies in the same way.
The wind
While a light breeze can be pleasant, a strong gust can disrupt a meal by lifting the tablecloth, for example. So, if your balcony is particularly exposed to winds, it may be wise to choose a privacy screen that also acts as a windbreak. Be careful: during installation, you will need to choose a material and fasteners that withstand strong winds for a privacy screen that will last over time!
Existing installations
Balconies always have a railing, but this is not the case for terraces or gardens. Take into account what is already there before choosing your privacy screen. Do you want to install something uniform from the ground to the upper limit, or will you use the existing installation to simply place your privacy screen above the railing? Existing installations will also have an impact on how you fix your privacy screen.
The desired level of opacity
Linked to sunlight, the degree of opacity will play an important role in the choice of your privacy screen. Complete opacity, with a fabric for example, risks creating too much shade for plants, although it protects you completely from overlooking views. Conversely, frosted glass panels let light through but allow silhouettes to be seen and protect your privacy a little less. As for artificial hedges, reed screening, or slats, it will depend on the gap left between the slats or leaves.
To find out more, do not hesitate to contact us! We will be happy to advise you to find the privacy screen that suits you together.
Natural or synthetic: the different types of privacy screens
Co-ownership regulations: check! Balcony assessment (orientation, wind, installations, and required level of opacity): check! You can move on to the final step in your choice: the type of privacy screen desired! Are you more “team natural privacy screen” or “team synthetic privacy screen”?
Natural privacy screen
Plants and hedges can serve as a natural privacy screen. However, it is harder to keep them consistently lush (they are not immune to high heat, downpours, or simply prolonged absences). Other solutions exist to stay natural with easier maintenance.
- Reed screening. Reed screens are made from natural materials, such as pine bark or split reed. Long strips a few millimeters wide are held together by iron wires, allowing for quick and easy installation on a pre-existing railing. It is also possible to choose wicker, which is more opaque and more resistant than thin reed.
- Heather screening. Heather branches are assembled to create a natural, rustic, and opaque privacy screen. The principle is the same as for reed screening, but several branches are assembled in the same wire loop, making it thicker and therefore more opaque.
- Natural wood screening slats. This technique, halfway between 100% natural and 100% synthetic screening, consists of installing a solid metal fence (rigid panels) and then inserting wooden slats for a sober and elegant privacy screen.
Synthetic privacy screen
- Artificial hedge. Keeping a green look while avoiding plant maintenance is possible! Simply choose an artificial hedge as a privacy screen. The good news: they come in several different styles. Laurel leaves, fir effect, Amazon green wall with a few flowers, ivy or bougainvillea effect, jasmine, fern, Virginia creeper… In rolls, panels, or trellises, with different shades of green and varied leaf shapes, artificial hedges adapt to your installation, the size of your balcony, and your decorative desires.
- Fabric. Particularly wind-resistant and opaque, fabric allows for easy installation of a privacy screen with significant protection from overlooking views. Good to know: being very thin, it takes up very little space, making it ideal for small balconies.
- PVC slats. Like wooden slats, PVC slats block the view, wind, noise, and sun. You have a choice of several colors in natural tones—brown, black, fir green, gray—to adapt your privacy screen to your decor.
Generally speaking, synthetic privacy screens will withstand bad weather better and keep their color better over time. On the other hand, natural privacy screens will need to be changed on average every 5 years but offer a real decorative asset. It is up to you to decide based on your budget, your visual preferences, and the criteria mentioned above for opacity, wind resistance, etc.
You are now ready to choose the privacy screen best suited to your needs and your balcony. Natural or artificial, authorization, customization… You have the keys in hand to choose the privacy screen that suits you. However, do not hesitate to request a quote or call on a professional for an opinion tailored to your specific project.
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Experte clôture, portail et aménagement extérieur depuis 2019.
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