Adding Privacy to Your Chain-Link Fence

Chain-link fences are economical and versatile, but they can leave a little to be desired in terms of privacy. If you want to improve the privacy of your chain-link fence, you might have to take some additional steps.

When planted directly next to it, fast growing bushes can provide a privacy screen. In fact, you could even plant some trees. Bushes are going to require pruning from time to time, and even the fastest growing bushes are likely to take a few years to grow. Bushes certainly aren't an easy or fast method of privacy, but with some long-term planning, they're often an economical and attractive one.

Vines are faster than bushes. You can grow vines across your fence for more of a feeling of privacy, though it certainly will not guarantee it. Vines also mostly die off during the winter and recover the following seasons. But vines, especially flowering vines, are extremely attractive, especially if they fit in with the current look of your home.

If you're more interested in trees, evergreen trees are usually the tree of choice to create a tall wall hedge. With enough time and effort, you can even create an evergreen barrier that will extend beyond the height of your fence.

Privacy screens can be tethered directly to chain-link fences to improve both privacy and appearance. Privacy screens are attractive and require minimal maintenance; even better, they'll provide almost complete privacy. The only drawback is that bamboo and similar materials are really only going to fit into some decor schemes.

Bamboo is used specifically because it tends to be naturally water-resistant, light, and durable. But there are other options available, such as plastic privacy screens that can be tied directly to the chainlink fence.

Woven plastic slats are threaded through the chain-link fence, both to add color to the fence and to improve privacy. Woven plastic slats have a very specific appearance; it's a matter of taste whether an individual likes them. But they are one of the easiest ways to add privacy to a fence, in addition to adding some structure to it.

There are also metal slats, which are more durable than plastic slats but can be a little more challenging to install. For metal slats, you may want to consult with a professional rather than attempt to install them yourself.

Mesh screens are cloth screens that are stretched across the chain-link fence. Often coming in bright colors, mesh screens both add privacy and serve to break the wind. If you want to have delicate plants in your garden (or simply want to enjoy your garden regardless of windy weather), a mesh screen can help.

Mesh screens are not completely private; people can see the general shapes and shadows behind them. But they do obscure most of the interior of a yard for those who just want a little privacy.

You may not want to commit to full wooden fences, but you can fit your fences to look very similar with wood fence panels. Wood fence panels hook onto your existing chain-link fence, essentially using them as a framework on which to build the structure of a wood fence. From the outside, your chain-link fence will look like a wood fence, with all of the privacy that implies.