Screening is the fencing work people do for privacy rather than for a boundary: a trellis topper on an existing fence, a slatted screen round a patio, or a panel to hide the bins or the oil tank. Done well, it adds height and shelter without turning the garden into a box.
We don't install screening ourselves. You describe what you want, send photos, and we show an indicative range. We then pass your enquiry to one local fencing specialist who covers your postcode, and they confirm a fixed price.
What's covered
- Trellis toppers. Square or diamond trellis fixed along the top of an existing fence or wall, usually 30–60cm high, to add height and give climbing plants something to grow on.
- Slatted screens. Horizontal or vertical slats on posts, freestanding or along a boundary. They give privacy while letting light and air through.
- Privacy panels. Solid or near-solid panels around a seating area, a hot tub or a deck.
- Utility screens. Short runs to hide bins, oil tanks, heat pumps or compost bays.
- Trellis panels. Full-height trellis as a lighter-looking fence or room divider in the garden.
What it costs
Freestanding screening is priced on the same per-metre card as fencing, supply and fit, waste included, indicative for the West Midlands.
| Screen | Under 1m | About 1.2m | About 1.8m |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slatted screen | £78–£114 per m | £104–£152 per m | £130–£190 per m |
| Closeboard screen | £57–£81 per m | £76–£108 per m | £95–£135 per m |
| Panel screen | £36–£54 per m | £48–£72 per m | £60–£90 per m |
Concrete posts add about £10 per metre. Screening jobs start at the £400 minimum, which covers a short bin screen or a few metres of slatted screen. For example, 4 metres of 1.8m slatted screening is about £520–£760.
Trellis toppers added to a fence that is already there have no fixed rate on our card, because it depends on whether the posts are tall enough and strong enough to take them. The specialist prices them from your photos, subject to the £400 minimum. The fence cost per metre guide has more on how screening compares with a full fence.
What affects the price
- Slat spacing and timber. Tighter slats and smooth planed timber look better but use more material. Hardwood and composite slats sit at the top of the range.
- Posts. Toppers need posts that stand proud of the existing fence, or post extenders. If the posts are too short or tired, new posts are needed.
- Wind. Solid screens catch the wind. Taller or exposed screens need heavier posts set deeper.
- Finishing. Painted or oiled screens, capping rails and matching gates add.
- Access. A long carry, or working from the neighbour's side, adds to the time.
The 2m rule includes trellis
Without planning permission, a fence, wall or other means of enclosure can be up to 2 metres high, or 1 metre next to a road used by vehicles or its footpath. Trellis on top counts towards that total. So a 1.8m fence can take a 20cm trellis topper and stay within the limit, but a 30cm or 60cm topper takes it over 2m and would normally need planning permission.
Height is measured from the ground level beside the fence. Where the ground is different on each side, councils usually measure from the higher side, but check before you rely on it.
A freestanding screen in the middle of a garden, not marking a boundary, is treated differently from a boundary fence. Listed buildings and conservation areas are stricter. See how high can a garden fence be? and the 1m rule next to a road. Anything over 2m, or over 1m facing a road, gets a free site visit.
Adding to a fence that isn't yours
A trellis topper fixed to your neighbour's fence needs their agreement, even if you pay for it. It adds weight and wind load to posts that are theirs to maintain. The simplest answer is often your own screen on your own posts, just inside your side of the boundary. See who owns the fence.
What to photograph for a quote
Good photos mean a closer price, and a shorter visit to measure up. How to measure.
- The whole fence line or area, end to end, standing back as far as you can
- From above if you can: an upstairs window shows the size and levels best
- The way in from the road: the drive, side gate, steps and where a lorry could park
Where we cover
We pass screening enquiries to specialists in Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, Solihull, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne, Lichfield and Tamworth, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley and Stourbridge and Coventry. If the whole boundary needs replacing, see new fences. For a screen on a deck, see decking.
Questions about trellis and garden screening
Can trellis go on top of any fence?
Only if the posts can take it. Concrete posts often have a slot for a topper. Timber posts can be extended if sound. Loose or rotten posts should be fixed first, or the extra wind load will push the fence over.
Does trellis count towards the fence height?
Yes. The total height, fence plus trellis, is what counts against the 2m limit, or 1m next to a road.
What gives the most privacy without blocking light?
Slatted screens with narrow gaps, around 10–20mm, block most views while letting light and air through. Trellis with climbing plants takes a season or two to fill in.
Can I screen a hot tub or seating area?
Yes. Freestanding privacy panels on posts are a common job. Tell the specialist about any electrics or pipework near where posts will go.
Is screening cheaper than a new fence?
Per metre, a slatted screen costs more than a panel fence. But you usually need far fewer metres, so the total is often lower.