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Privacy screening

Hi all,

I'm in need of some advice for some fast screening to block out the neighbour's kitchen window and an ugly fence.(please see photos)

Apologies in advance for the essay! 🙂

The initial area we need screened would be approx 2m × 2m & the garden bed 770 x 85cm. Ultimately we'd like to screen the whole fence but happy with just blocking the area in front of the window first. Our elderly male neighbour tends to want to see what I'm doing every time I am in the yard which is wearing thin and we also have direct line of sight from our kitchen window to his. (That green shadecloth is on his side of the fence).

We have considered (smaller)Lilly Pilly's or Murraya for a narrow hedge or putting in a Hardenbergia climber with trellises/plant supports in the middle of the bed (as the fence isn't high enough and also very long in the tooth but we cant afford to replace the fence right now) and also to allow easier management or pruning of the climber. The area we want screened asap is ground level for about 1.5m then there's a slightly raised bed along the remainder of the fence.

The fence runs North - South and the plants would be facing East so would get some morning and midday sun. The entertaining area roof means the bed is partly shaded for some of the day, more in winter(?) We are near Newcastle in NSW.

(We've only been here a year and the previous owners left all those pots in the photos.)

Thankyou for reading this far 🙂

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Comments

Jason

Hi @katita,

A very warm welcome to Workshop. You've come to the right place! I'm sure our ever-helpful community will have plenty of ideas and inspiration for you.

I'd recommend you start by taking a look at our Top 10 most popular fence projects as it contains loads of fantastic ideas.

There are some other previous discussions that you should also find useful, including:

Port wine magnolias as screening

Screening/vertical garden idea

Ideas for screening plants

Alternative to a conifer for screening

Let me also tag some wonderful members such as @robchin, @Noelle and @Adam_W who might like to share their thoughts on the plants you are thinking about using.

All the best,

Jason

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6946#Comment_6946

Thanks for the welcome @Jason, and the links to helpful posts. I have done a bit of reading already but hadn't seen a few you listed.

MikeM84

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65653#Comment_65653

You can always put plastic, canvas bamboo screening.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/garden/landscaping/garden-screen

the link is from bunnings, where you can purchase, wooden, plastic, canvas, bamboo, metal screenings.

I would suggest canvas type, you can mount with multiple ways, I used it at my old place to block out sun and UV, it would be same aisle as the sail shades.

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95606#Comment_95606

Thanks for your advice @MikeM84, I really like the look of the bamboo screens.

The other day I tried finding sail shades but no luck and was short on time. I must get down to my local shop again and hunt down both them and the bamboo screens for a closer look.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114395#Comment_114395

Hi @katita,

If you'd like to check out the range online, the link is https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/outdoor-living/outdoor-shade/shade-sails

Jason

MikeM84

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114395#Comment_114395

Your welcome, once you see the mesh material, you will know the type I mean:) easy to hang as well, bamboo is great

Noelle

Hi @katita

Any plants you put in for screening are going to take some time to grow tall enough to give you the result you want. Even if you were to put in trellising (free standing so it wouldn't interfere with the fence replacement) and grow climbers, it would still be some time before you were able to have enough greenery to give you privacy and prevent your neighbour being able to watch your every move!

The idea of shade sails or artificial bamboo screening in the short term is a good one.

Long term, after the fence has been replaced, I'd look at putting up a substantial trellis along the entire length - concretors' reo/reinforcing mesh) is ideal - and training climbers over it. Star Jasmine, Potato Vine and any other fast growing climbers would be ideal. Regular trimming will keep them neat and still allow you access to the narrow passageway between house and fence.

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/6962#Comment_6962

Thanks for that link @Jason!

Yep, got down to my local shop today @MikeM84 and really liked the look of the bamboo slat screening and bamboo canvas so got both 🙂
I thought the screening might not be dense enough so got canvas to attach behind. But we may need to create a frame for strength as well. I'll have to wait to work with it to see if both are needed when my partner has his holidays at the end of the week & can help me.
These are the items I picked up today:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/eden-1-8-x-3-0m-bamboo-shade-cloth-screen-fencing_p3041179

https://www.bunnings.com.au/eden-1-8-x-3-0m-bamboo-shade-cloth-screen-fencing_p3041179

Thanks very much for your advice, @Noelle. I agree that hedging will be too slow for the immediacy I need and that climbers will be better suited due to the narrowness of the left side of that area....as well as the close proximity of the roof of the entertaining area.

I hope to post photo's once we complete the project.

Jason

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65667#Comment_65667

Looking forward to seeing your photos @katita. Feel free to post again in the meantime if you need anything.

Jason

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/95615#Comment_95615

Thanks @Jason.

So, I contacted my local council for advice/regulations regarding Privacy Screens and I was directed to NSW Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt & Complying Development Codes).

Well, this has certainly changed our plans, in so far as having to leave a space of 900mm between fence and the screen. That brings the screen flush with the patio roof. We also want to avoid having to submit a DA for approval for this project!

I've attached screenshots of the info re: exempt privacy screen development below, for those who may be interested.

So we're now thinking of attaching outdoor roman bamboo blinds to the entertaining area roof for immediate privacy (& flexibility) while we install some trellises with fast growing climbers. We want to avoid having to submit a DA for this project!

IJAS

Hi Katita, what I have done before in your situation is to get some lattice put it on a frame and then paint both sides white, because white paint reflects the light and blurs the vision from seeing through into your home, it worked for me so good luck.

Prawns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/114417#Comment_114417

Arnt you going to mount the privacy screen to the existing fence? If thats the case - you dont require permission? "....installation of a privacy screen that ****IS NOT***** attached to a boundary fence"

Noyade

"Ultimately we'd like to screen the whole fence but happy with just blocking the area in front of the window first"

Just a thought - and something I tried years ago.

Could you attach a long length of metal fence rail low down on your fence - with the "C" section facing upwards, at whatever height you desire.

So then at your leisure you can buy and insert bark/bamboo screens with the bottom end inserted into the C channel.

Shouldn't be difficult to attach the middle of the screens somewhere on the existing fence.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/australian-handyman-supplies-3m-galvanised-purlin-fence-rail_p0911005

Fence rail + bark screening.

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/7564#Comment_7564

Thanks IJAS that's a good option however I am wanting something that screens out the view completely if possible.

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/124996#Comment_124996

Hi Prawns, We weren't going to attach it to the fence because we ideally wanted something growing over the screen and therefore want space behind it to control/prune any climbing plants we put there.
Thankyou for pointing that out though, as we are possibly going to have to end up doing that for the fastest result.

katita

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/7634#Comment_7634

This is a great solution, thanks Noyade. This looks like it might also be perfect for the front of the house beside the carport where there is no fencing between the properties at all and cheaper than having to put up a whole new fence.

Prawns

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65977#Comment_65977

Id speak with the neighbour? - He might appreciate a privacy screen also attached to the existing fenceline as well - especially if your paying to install it (hahahah) If thats the case - he will probably prune his side himself? (even if you might end up with the clippings occasionally perhaps theres a spot he can leave them in a neat pile for you to dispose of if thats the case)

I dont mind clipping my side of a privacy screen (vine) that the neighbours are growing along my back fenceline - better than the alternative of looking at their house IMO hahahhaha, the vines much prettier 🙂 I have a spot over the fence I drop the clippings over in a neat a pile as I can myself

Maybe worth asking at least dont be scared to ask worst case he says no. Just tell him your a keen gardener and maybe have some different plant options to start along the fenceline that you guys can agree on might also keep him happy? You might be suprised at how accomodating neighbours can be if they think it also makes their house look nicer also and its not costing them anything 🙂

Edit - One of my old neighbours wanted to extend the height of our adjoining fence at a old rental i lived in, he bolted metal poles to his side of the fenceline somehow - and used holes in the poles to run wires through - he ran about 4 wires maybe 20 cm apart - and put passionfruit in on his side which grew along the wires - wow that thing grew fast and was completely private! (maybe another idea - just some posts and wire)

IJAS

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/65976#Comment_65976

Hey Katita, you can solve that by getting some white shade cloth and fixing it to your side of the screen they will never see through

the shade cloth all white works great.

Joey_75

To start with using lattice with wood or metal frames along the top of the fence basically raising it that way you can use shade mesh among other things, that's just a start you will have alot more privacy. I have the same problem but the whole one side of my house every window my neighbors are up higher the me and all there widows over look the back of my place this includes every window and back door there kitchen, lounge and dining room windows oh and let's not forget there two bedrooms aswell so thats how I have started to give me alot more privacy and it seems to be working..😀

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/8810#Comment_8810

Welcome to the Workshop community @Joey_75.

Thanks for jumping straight into the discussion and I'm sure @katita appreciates your advice. We look forward to seeing what projects you have going on around your own home and garden. If you ever need advice or have something to share with the community, please let us know.

Mitchell

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