Timber Screening and Privacy Walls in Hobart
Decking Hobart Specialist
Timber screening and privacy walls in Hobart give you the outdoor privacy you’re after without blocking out all the light or turning your deck into a fortress. We design and install custom screens across Greater Hobart using treated pine, hardwood, or composite materials – from vertical slats for modern properties to horizontal screens with clean lines, or traditional lattice for heritage homes in Battery Point and Sandy Bay.
These screens do more than block views from next door. They cut down wind on exposed decks, reduce noise from neighbouring properties, hide bins and equipment, and create separate outdoor zones. Every installation meets council height requirements and wind load ratings for Hobart’s coastal conditions, with stainless steel fixings and moisture-resistant treatments that handle Tasmania’s wet winters and coastal salt air without warping or twisting.
Custom designs for decks, patios, balconies, gardens
Custom screening means we’re designing for your specific outdoor space, not just throwing up standard panels. Deck screens might wrap around one side for neighbour privacy while leaving the view side open, or create separate zones on large decks – one area for dining, another for lounging. Patio screens can integrate with existing pergolas and roof lines, matching materials and spacing to what’s already there.
Balcony screening works within tight spaces and body corporate rules – we build screens that fit between existing posts or attach to railings without major structural changes. Garden screens create feature walls, hide compost bins and sheds, or define separate outdoor rooms in your yard. We can incorporate built-in planters so you’re screening with timber and greenery, or add horizontal shelving for pot plants.
Every design considers what you’re trying to achieve – full privacy, partial screening, wind protection, or just blocking specific sightlines from neighbouring properties. We measure your site, work out where views need blocking at sitting and standing height, and design screens that solve the actual problem rather than just building the biggest wall allowed.
Deck and Balcony Privacy Solutions
Deck and balcony privacy in Hobart means dealing with neighbours who can see straight into your outdoor space – narrow blocks in suburbs like Battery Point, Glenorchy, and South Hobart put properties close together. We install screening that blocks sightlines at sitting height while keeping some openness above, so you’re not walling yourself in. Partial height screens work well for decks where you want to keep views but need privacy from the property next door.
Balcony screening suits townhouses and units where you’re stacked on top of each other – we build screens that meet body corporate requirements and council height limits. Hot tub and spa enclosures give you privacy without creating a boxed-in feeling, using vertical slats or louvred designs that let steam escape. Every screen gets designed for your specific setup and what you can actually see from neighbouring properties at deck level.
Types of Timber Privacy Screens We Install
Vertical Slat Screens
Vertical slat screens give you a modern look with adjustable spacing between boards – you control how much privacy versus light you want. We space slats to block direct views while letting air flow through, which works well for Hobart’s wind. These screens suit contemporary homes and can run floor-to-ceiling or partial height on decks and balconies.
Horizontal Screening
Horizontal screens create clean, contemporary lines that work with modern Hobart architecture. Boards run parallel to the ground, either tight together for full privacy or spaced apart for filtered views. This style suits deck railings, boundary screens, and balcony enclosures. We build them structurally sound to handle wind load on exposed sites across Greater Hobart.
Lattice and Solid Panels
Lattice panels suit traditional weatherboard homes in Battery Point and heritage areas – diagonal or square patterns that let light and air through while blocking direct views. Solid panels give complete privacy and wind protection for hot tubs, pool areas, or hiding bins and equipment. Both styles can match existing deck materials and fence lines around your property.
Height Restrictions and Boundary Requirements
Height restrictions for privacy screens in Hobart depend on where you’re building and how close to boundaries. Most residential zones allow screens up to 1.8 metres on boundary lines without council approval, but that changes if you’re in heritage overlay areas like Battery Point or parts of Sandy Bay. Go higher than the allowed limit or closer to boundaries than setback requirements, and you’ll need a planning permit before we can start building.
Screens attached to existing decks or balconies count as part of the structure – if your deck’s already close to height limits, adding screening might push you over. We check your property’s zoning and existing structures before designing screens to make sure we’re staying compliant. Some councils want screens set back 900mm from side boundaries, others allow building right on the line up to certain heights.
Heritage areas have their own requirements – lattice and traditional styles often get approved where solid modern screens don’t. Boundary fences factor in too – your new screen plus existing fence height can’t exceed combined limits. We sort through your council’s planning scheme and let you know what’s allowed before you commit to a design, so you’re not building something that needs pulling down later.
Decking Hobart Specialist
Wind Protection and Weather Resistance
Timber screening in Hobart needs to handle wind – we’re not building for calm weather. Our screens get engineered for wind load ratings based on your property’s exposure, whether you’re on a hillside catching westerlies or near the waterfront dealing with coastal gusts. We anchor every screen with structural posts set in concrete footings, use stainless steel fixings that won’t rust out, and space boards to let some wind through rather than creating a solid sail that’ll rip itself apart.
The timber we use gets treated for Tasmania’s moisture levels – wet winters, coastal salt air, and the freeze-thaw cycles we get on cold mornings. Treated pine screens get H3 or H4 treatment ratings for above-ground outdoor use. Hardwood options like spotted gum or merbau naturally resist moisture and won’t rot when they stay damp for weeks during Hobart’s winter. Every screen gets built to last more than a few summers.
Timber Materials for Hobart’s Climate
Timber for screening in Hobart needs to handle moisture – we get wet winters, coastal salt air in exposed areas, and morning frost that creates freeze-thaw cycles. Treated pine with H3 or H4 ratings works for most screening applications, costs less than hardwood, and holds up well when properly treated for above-ground outdoor use. Hardwood options like spotted gum, merbau, or blackbutt resist moisture naturally and won’t rot when they stay damp through winter.
Material options we install:
- Treated Pine H3/H4 – Budget-friendly, available locally, good for painted or stained screens
- Spotted Gum – Australian hardwood, naturally weather-resistant, minimal maintenance
- Merbau – Dense hardwood, handles moisture well, rich colour that weathers to silver-grey
- Composite Screening – Low maintenance alternative, won’t rot or warp, suits coastal properties
The timber you choose affects how much maintenance you’re signing up for. Treated pine screens need repainting or restaining every few years to keep moisture out. Hardwood screens can be left to weather naturally or oiled annually to maintain colour. Composite materials need occasional washing but won’t deteriorate in Hobart’s climate – good option if you want privacy screening without ongoing timber maintenance work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treated pine H3/H4 handles moisture well and costs less than hardwood. Spotted gum, merbau, or blackbutt resist rot naturally without treatment. Composite materials won’t warp or deteriorate in wet conditions. Your choice depends on budget, maintenance preferences, and whether you’re painting or leaving timber natural.
Most residential zones allow 1.8 metres on boundaries without permits. Higher screens or heritage areas need council approval. Screens attached to elevated decks count toward total structure height. We measure your property’s existing setup and check planning schemes to design screens within the allowed limits for your location.
Screens cut wind significantly on exposed sites – spaced slat designs let some air through while blocking gusts, solid panels provide maximum wind protection. We engineer screens for your property’s wind exposure, whether hillside westerlies or coastal conditions. Proper anchoring and structural support prevent screens from becoming sails that damage themselves.
Screens under 1.8 metres on boundary lines typically don’t need approval in residential zones. Heritage areas, higher screens, or non-compliant setbacks require planning permits. We check your property’s zoning and existing structures before designing to keep everything compliant with Hobart City Council requirements.
Screen design controls how much privacy versus openness you get. Tight spacing blocks direct sightlines completely, wider spacing allows filtered views while preventing clear looks into your space. We design screens based on actual sightlines from neighbouring properties at sitting and standing heights on your deck or patio.
Contact Us
Decking Hobart specialists have been building decks and pergolas in the greater Hobart area for over a decade. Deck builders are experts at creating custom outdoor living spaces that turn your house into a home. All this at affordable prices that will fit into anyone’s budget! So don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today!!
