Fence Panels, Rolls and Privacy Screens

Panel, roll or screen: what is the fence for?

Start with the job. Rolls of mesh fence, such as deer fence or orange safety fence, are sized by height and length: a deer barrier has to be tall enough that deer will not jump it, while lightweight safety fence only marks an area or slows drifting snow. Rigid panels and section kits make a lasting boundary and need posts. Privacy screens, including ivy-style panels, attach to an existing fence or railing. Untreated wood weathers and eventually rots; polyethylene does not rot but should be UV-stabilized.

Measure the run and read the size listing

Fence sizes appear in inches, feet or centimeters, and some listings give length first and others height first, so confirm which number is the height before comparing. Measure the full run, add corners and gates, and allow overlap where screens meet. Check what is included: screens may come with cable ties or clips, while posts, stakes and tensioners are usually separate. In windy places an open weave passes gusts better than a solid sheet, which acts like a sail on its fixings.

Questions about Fence Panels, Rolls and Privacy Screens

How tall should deer fencing be?

Deer can clear a fence well over 6 feet when startled, so mesh 7 to 8 feet tall is the usual recommendation for gardens and orchards. Shorter fences work less reliably, so check the height printed in the listing before you buy.

Is snow fence suitable as a security fence?

No. Plastic snow and safety fence is light, designed to mark an area or slow wind-blown snow, and is easy to cut or knock down. For security or to hold animals in, use rigid panels or heavier mesh with proper posts.

How do I attach a privacy screen?

Most screens attach with cable ties or clips through the weave to an existing chain-link, wire or wooden fence. Check the screen height against the fence height, and fasten at regular intervals along the top and sides so wind cannot make it sag or flap.