The Privacy Fence That Blocks Out Neighbors And Noise On Your Terms

So you've got the dreamy balcony or patio, and you can't wait to spend all morning there sipping coffee and replying to emails, or enjoying evenings on it with a friend sipping wine and reading magazines. There's just one problem for a lot of homeowners and renters — your neighbors dream of doing those very same things with their outdoor space. We're guessing you didn't factor your neighbor's stereo system or watchful eyes into your dream balcony and patio fantasies. Privacy screens are, of course, the obvious solution, but not all privacy screens are created equal. Some of the bulkier ones can block out natural light and inhibit air ventilation, while others only block neighbors' views of your outdoor space but not noise pollution. That's why we've fallen in love with the adjustable privacy fence that TikTok creator royce_renovations shows how to make. 

This clever DIY privacy screen allows you to open and shut the shutters as needed when you want a little peace and quiet, or when you want to give the neighbors a quick hello or let natural light in — basically, a perfect combination of a fence and blinds. To make this privacy screen yourself, you'll need wood boards, post-supporting brackets, a drill and drill bit that can penetrate your patio or balcony foundation, and blind board brackets that will enable the boards to be tilted easily. We also strongly recommend buying equipment to weatherproof your fence with an exterior-grade stain or paint treatment. 

The video creator shows that you start creating a shutter wall on one side of the perimeter of the patio by installing supportive brackets at either end and the middle. From there, you install your wooden posts to these bases, as well as secure a board across the top of them to create the frame for your shutter wall. How long you need to cut the boards for the shutters will depend on your patio size, but wait until the frame is built and fully in place before you measure and cut them. Once your boards are cut, this is a great time to lay them out and paint or stain them with exterior-grade products. This is an easy tip for building the perfect privacy fence so it can withstand inclement weather such as rain, snow, and sun exposure. 

As your boards dry, you can get a head start on installing your shutter brackets on the posts. You can find similar hardware to what the creator used at Lowe's — keep in mind that this is for the iron hardware only. This contains two types of brackets: those that will support the individual boards on the frame and those that will connect the boards so they can easily be opened and closed with one movement. Measure the brackets at even distances, then install the boards and brackets according to the manufacturer's instructions, and you're done! Privacy when you want it, and plenty of options when you don't. 

While this project isn't all that complicated, it does require some time and patience, as well as power tools and room to lay your supplies out and work. We know that's just not possible for everyone, so consider a store-bought solution such as this adjustable aluminum shutter wall from Wayfair, which will still give you all of the benefits of the homemade version, but without all of the hard work. It does cost several hundred dollars, but for convenience and ease, it may be the perfect solution for you. 

If you don't mind a little bit of DIY but don't want to make a fully customized privacy screen from scratch, consider buying some adjustable slatted window coverings at a home improvement store. You could attach these to a frame, or your patio's awning or railing to make a patchwork privacy screen with a turnable blind system. This works as a semi-homemade approach, and you can still customize the paint color of the shutters, offering plenty of flexibility for style.

 Does neither of these options seem like the right fit for your outdoor space? Check out our list of unique and stylish privacy screens to find the right match for your home, or use plants to create a private patio space.