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Privacy screens are a great way to block out prying eyes, especially if your only outdoor space is a balcony. They also help shelter you a bit from sun, wind, and even some of the noise that comes from city living. Here’s some of the best privacy screens for a balcony that we could find.
A privacy screen is designed to sit over top of your existing balcony railing to cover up gaps in the bars or a glass guard rail. They’re all super easy to install and made to withstand the elements and keep your balcony a little bit more private any time of the year.
How do you Attach a Privacy Screen to a Balcony?
Most privacy screens attach relatively simply to most balconies. They usually have holes with grommets or some kind of way to secure the screen to an existing structure.
You usually tie them on with rope or cord, but zip ties often work better. A lot of the privacy screens out there even come with everything you need to attach the screen, but if they don’t (or you need something more durable) zip ties can be purchased from most hardware stores.
Just make sure that your balcony actually has a way to support adding a privacy screen. You’ll need sturdy top and bottom bars to secure the zip ties too. Not attaching a privacy screen properly can make it sag, or worse, blow off. Metal balcony railings work best.
Are Balcony Privacy Screens Good for Kids or Pets?
Since they’re designed to fit over top a balcony railing and fill gaps, privacy screens for a balcony are also handy if you have kids or pets who go out on the balcony.
First of all, it prevents things from falling through any gaps in the balcony. That means toys and other objects that kids (or pets!) are playing with won’t get tossed over the balcony accidentally.
Second, the shade and shelter that a privacy screen provides is nice if you are hanging out on the balcony with young kids. On sunny days, it blocks the UV rays, and if it’s windy it also shelters you from the wind somewhat.
Just be aware that a privacy screen is not a safety screen, and not a substitute for a properly secured balcony railing.
DearHouse Balcony Privacy Screen Cover
You really can’t go wrong with a classic black privacy screen. Not only does it look pretty stylish, black is a great color to block out light so you really won’t be able to see through this privacy screen.
It also looks stylish if you have a more modern balcony!
Installation is easy (zip ties are included) and it will cover 16.5 linear feet of balcony railing. If you don’t love the black there are other colour options available too.
Pros:
- Easy to install and comes with zip ties
- Adds privacy without completely blocking out the sun
- Looks modern and stylish when attached
Cons:
- Still partially see through, so you may want to double it if you want an opaque screen
- Cannot be cut so if you have excess screen it will need to be folded, there are no size options
Lvydec Balcony Privacy Screen Cover
This privacy screen is great if you want something that looks a bit more like rattan or cloth, especially in the brown. It’s UV resistant so even if it doesn’t completely block the sun you’re still getting some protection from it.
As for the material, it’s durable and meant to withstand wind and rain. Just make sure you zip tie it up well. If you have larger bannisters or live in a windy area, you might want to pick up your own from the hardware store since the ones that come with it aren’t super strong or long.
Pros:
- Great for adding some privacy without completely blocking out light
- Attaches easily with included zip ties
- Blocks out wind, rain, and snow
Cons:
- Zip ties aren’t very sturdy, so you may need to purchase better quality ones
- Partially see through, so it only adds some privacy (not completely private)
- No size options available for longer or shorter balconies
Eden’s Decor Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence Screen
Ivy privacy screens are a great, stylish alternative to the HDPE screens you usually see. Although it’s not as charming as real ivy, this one can be safely attached to almost any balcony – even in apartments and condos. No maintenance required!
This screen is designed to look great even as it stands up to harsh elements like heat, rain, and even snow – just make sure you have it secured properly so it doesn’t come off.
Pros:
- Stylish and natural looking
- Adds great privacy while still allowing some light through
- Durable even in harsh environments
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with zip ties or anything to attach it to the balcony with
- Small sections compared to other brands; make sure you purchase enough
- Leaves fall off if pulled, but can be reattached
Ohuhu 3′ x 16.5′ Polyester Balcony Privacy Screen
Rather than HDPE (which is plastic) this privacy screen is made out of polyester instead. That means it has a look that more resembles stretched fabric than the woven look of some of the other options.
This screen provides very good privacy, so if you want something that doesn’t show through this is a really good bet. It’s also very easy to install and comes with zip ties and rope to affix it to an existing structure.
Pros:
- Great privacy; you can’t see through it
- Fabric look and feeling
- Blocks light, wind, and rain
Cons:
- Can be tricky to install and get tight since the fabric is flexible
- Included zip ties are low quality
- Moves in the wind if not secured tightly
DearHouse Natural Reed Fencing
If you’d prefer something natural (rather than all these synthetic privacy screens for a balcony) this reed fencing is a great option. Although it looks great, this screen only provides partial privacy so if you’re looking for something that completely blocks what’s on the other side it won’t work.
That being said, it’s nice to have some eco-friendly options out there. The reeds do a good job of blocking out some of the elements, and look great too.
Pros:
- Eco-friendly materials
- Unique look that adds some natural elements to your outdoor space
- Can be hung up with zip ties or string (not included)
Cons:
- Partially see-through
- Natural fibres may not last as long as synthetic materials
Which of These Privacy Screens for a Balcony are the Best?
If you need full privacy then I would recommend the Ohuhu polyester screen since it’s one of the only ones that provides almost total blocking. However, it has way too many drawbacks to be considered the best privacy screen for a balcony.
Likewise, both the DearHouse and the Lvydec brands look great and block out a good amount of light, but are still partially see-through. They’re great if you only need some privacy or are not allowed to have an opaque screen on your balcony.
That leaves the Eden’s Decor Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence Screen. Although it’s one of the pricier options out there, it’s also one of the best privacy screens for a balcony.
First of all, it does a great job of giving you privacy. You can’t really see through it, but it still allows light to pass through. This is because of the leaves; they obscure what’s behind them but still have small gaps.
Another great part of this screen is its durability. Although it might seem that something with coloured leaves wouldn’t hold up to the elements, it really does. Wind, rain, heat, and even snow won’t cause it to fade even over several years.
Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with anything to secure it with, so you’ll need to get your own zip ties. Although this seems like a downside, the ties included with most screens are low quality anyway so you’d probably be heading to the hardware store either way.
Installation is super easy, just stretch the privacy screen out and attach it to your railing. Just be careful as you unroll it since the leaves can come off when pulled. They can be reattached, though, and don’t really fall off bad when the screen is up.
Best Privacy Screens for a Balcony – Final Thoughts
Privacy screens specifically made for a balcony are great because they’re usually the perfect height (3.5 feet) to attach to a balcony rail. Besides keeping neighbours from looking in, they also block out UV rays, wind, and even keep the rain to a minimum and are great for kids and pets too.
All of these privacy screens can be installed very quickly and easily, so don’t be afraid to try one out if you’re looking for that extra little bit of privacy on your balcony all year round.
