Fence Privacy Screen Mesh vs Artificial Ivy: Which One Should You Choose?

Quick Answer

If you want a neat, low-profile privacy upgrade that lets air through and disappears into the fence line, choose a breathable privacy fence mesh. If you want texture, greenery and a softer garden look, choose an artificial ivy trellis or a backed hedge panel. The ideal starting point is to measure your actual run and think about how you use the space: mesh suits long chain link stretches and balconies, while ivy and boxwood work beautifully for patios, accent walls and spots where you want more visual depth.

How They Compare

Both approaches change how your fence feels, but they solve slightly different problems. Mesh products from the privacy fence screen collection create a clean, taut surface with a listed 90% visibility blockage. Artificial ivy and boxwood from the artificial ivy and boxwood collection provide a layered, leafy appearance that can make a boundary feel like part of the landscape.

Whichever style you pick, focus on getting the finished size right and using enough fasteners across the middle, not just at the corners. Distributed fasteners help align the screen and distribute tension across the attachment points.

Mesh: Standard vs. Plus

Royal Shade mesh fabric is available in two weights: Standard 170 GSM HDPE and Plus 220 GSM HDPE. Both list 90% visibility blockage, so the difference is less about how they look from straight on and more about material mass, edge binding and available sizes.

The Standard 170 GSM mesh is the versatile choice. It is available in nominal heights such as 4 ft, 5 ft, 6 ft and 8 ft, with many length options. Colors vary by size, so check the selection for the height you need. Edge binding contains metal grommets spaced roughly every 12 inches vertically and 24 inches horizontally, with multiple grommets at each corner for reinforcement.

The Heavy Duty Plus Privacy Fence Screen 220 GSM has a heavier fabric mass and a wider 4-inch binding around the edge, meaning about 2 inches per side. It is offered in 4, 5, 6 and 8 ft nominal heights in 50 ft rolls. The listed finished height is about 3 inches shorter than the nominal fence height, which helps create a clean top line without dragging.

Standard 170 GSM At a Glance

The Standard mesh is a practical pick for most DIY privacy projects. The tighter vertical grommet spacing gives you more points to secure the panel, which is especially helpful on wood or mixed-material fences where you want even tension. The lighter 170 GSM fabric is easier to handle while still providing that clean, screened-in look.

Plus 220 GSM At a Glance

The Plus mesh is designed for people who prefer a heavier fabric in their hands and a wider edge border. The 4-inch binding adds visual weight around the perimeter and gives installers a substantial edge to work along. Remember that GSM describes fabric mass per area, not a wind rating or UV percentage.

Ivy Trellis vs. Backed Hedge Panels

Artificial greenery comes in two helpful formats. A retractable ivy trellis uses a real willow lattice frame with PE leaves attached to the canes. This style can be expanded or compressed, which changes its width and height. A backed hedge panel is a different product with foliage attached to a backing material, often sold as a flexible panel or roll.

The Expandable Faux Artificial Ivy Trellis is available with single or double sided leaves. Its listed dimensions change as the lattice is adjusted. As you pull the lattice open, the product becomes wider while the height changes, so choose your desired width and then confirm the corresponding height for that expansion point. The Boxwood Retractable Trellis follows the same willow lattice concept but with a denser, clipped boxwood appearance.

Ivy trellises are a good match for balconies, garden screens and decorative partitions. They can be mounted horizontally or vertically, but their woven structure means sightlines change as you walk around them. Gaps may appear between canes depending on light and angle, so view them as pleasant partial screening rather than a solid wall.

Backed hedge products, such as the Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence and Grass Backdrop Wall, have a different structure. The foliage is attached to a backing, which can make the panel look fuller and easier to secure across its surface. One listed backdrop size is 39 inches high with lengths from 98 to 198 inches. Backed panels are less about retractable geometry and more about covering a defined area with a leafy surface.

Choosing the Right Greenery Style

If you want adjustable coverage and a trellis look, pick the willow lattice ivy or boxwood. If you want simpler attachment and a thicker initial appearance, try a backed hedge panel. In both cases, inspect the leaves, backing and fasteners after installation and after stormy weather.

Measuring Your Fence

Measure each usable opening separately, including corners, gate runs and slopes. Do not measure the whole property line in one long tape pull and assume every section is identical. Fence posts, gate frames and grade changes break a run into smaller panels, and each panel should be treated as its own project piece.

For mesh, confirm whether the product’s finished height matches the nominal height. The Standard mesh is generally listed by nominal fence height, while the Plus product lists a finished height about 3 inches shorter than nominal. This shorter finished size helps keep the mesh off the ground and lets the top edge sit cleanly below the fence rail.

Here is a practical example: suppose you have a 6 ft chain link fence and want to cover a straight run between two posts. The opening measures 9 ft 6 in wide and 70 in tall between the top rail and ground. A nominal 6 ft Plus mesh lists a finished height of approximately 69 in, which fits nicely in that opening. A 50 ft finished length is not a match for a 9 ft 6 in opening. Use a ready-made finished length that matches your run, or request a confirmed custom piece. Do not cut reinforced edges or grommet binding without manufacturer approval. Instead of relying on a universal width deduction, ask for the actual finished width including binding.

For ivy trellises, measure the area you want to soften. If a backed hedge panel is 39 in high and 118 in long, it will cover a low fence or a wall section of that size. Retractable ivy dimensions change dramatically when expanded, so measure your preferred final width first and then check the corresponding height. If you need a nonstandard size, the custom made-to-order fence screen uses 170 GSM fabric. The listing describes the finished height as approximately 2 inches below the nominal fence height. Confirm the required finished dimensions and quote with the team before production. Custom dimensions and pricing require confirmation, and delivery timing should be checked before you order.

Fitting and Installation

Start with a temporary placement. Use loose zip ties or outdoor-rated fasteners through the grommets or lattice points, but do not tighten everything immediately. Drape the screen where you want it and step back to check the top edge, bottom clearance and overall alignment. This step prevents the frustrating discovery that a panel is slightly shifted after you have already secured the corners.

For mesh, align the top edge first and distribute fasteners through the grommets along the binding. Attach several points across the top, then work down the sides and across the bottom. Never attach only the corners, because the unsupported middle will flap and pull on the edging. Use fasteners suited to your fence material, such as UV-stable zip ties for chain link or screws with washers for wood when the manufacturer directs that approach. Outdoor adhesive tape is not a universal attachment method and may fail on textured or dirty surfaces.

For trellis and hedge panels, follow the same principle: secure through the lattice or backing at multiple points. If the product uses a willow frame, avoid overtightening the canes. If the backing has grommet-free edges, use the recommended tied points and avoid stretching the material so much that the backing curls. Keep gate operation completely free, and if your fence is loose or leaning, have the structure checked before adding any screen.

Wind is an important consideration for any full fence covering. The Chain Link Fence Manufacturers Institute notes in its industry manual that windscreen and privacy slats require a wind load analysis for fence posts and spacings. A breathable mesh is not a structural repair, and it should not be used as security fencing, a shade sail or a pool barrier.

Care and Custom Ordering

Artificial ivy and mesh both benefit from occasional gentle rinsing to remove dust, pollen and road grime. Mesh can be hosed lightly and left to dry. Greenery should be rinsed gently and inspected for loose leaves, shifted backing or fasteners that need re-securing. You do not need to water or prune artificial foliage, but it is not completely zero-upkeep. A quick seasonal check keeps everything looking tidy.

If your project includes a sloped ground line, an unusual post spacing or a nonstandard opening, custom mesh can be a useful solution. The custom mesh page explains the process, but final dimensions, price and production time require confirmation. Do not assume the price shown on a general collection page will apply to your custom size. Ask the team to confirm the finished height and delivery window before committing.

Before ordering, review the shipping policy for current processing and transit information. Since warranty details can vary across different products, check the warranty policy and confirm coverage for the selected screen. For anything specific to your project, the frequently asked questions page is a good first stop, and the contact page is available for order-specific questions.

Frequently Asked Questions