How to Add Privacy to Gardens Using Trellis Panels

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How do trellis panels add privacy to a garden?

Trellis panels, especially structures which have full-grown plants climbing up them, create privacy in a garden. This is because they divide off a part of the outdoor space from other sections of a property’s exterior – as well as from neighbouring properties. 

At the same time, the gaps in trellis panels and parts of the plants growing up them will mean that a space is never completely enclosed. 

You can expect to receive requests to install trellis panels around parts of a garden where property owners would like to sunbathe or exercise, and also around a children’s play area.

What else can trellis be used for?

A trellis is primarily designed to support climbing plants within an outdoor space. The sturdy setup of each trellis panel means that flowers, vines, fruits, and vegetable shoots have the framework needed to grow vertically.

Property owners may also look to use trellis panels to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their garden. 

How high can a trellis panel be?

Many local authorities will allow trellis panels to be up to two metres high without the need for planning permission. 

However, this regulation may be reduced to no more than one metre high if the property is next to a main road, a public footpath, or is deemed either a listed building or set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

These restrictions will vary depending on where in the UK a property is though, so checks should be made with the appropriate local council before any landscaping work begins.

Can trellis panels be attached to the fence of a property owner’s neighbour?

Property owners should discuss the planned work with neighbours even when planning permission to install trellis panels has been granted, to avoid problems after the job is complete.

A fence owned by a neighbour, which can be confirmed by checking the property title deeds or HM Land Registry plans, needs to be seen as strictly off-limits. If ownership is unclear or unverified, you should proceed under the assumption that the fence belongs to the neighbour and refrain from touching it.

Legally, attaching trellis panels, drilling fixings, or hanging heavy plants on this fence without permission can be classed as trespass or criminal damage. 

Trellis panels add wind resistance and weight that can warp, weaken, or pull down an aging fence. If the neighbour’s fence is damaged from your work, both you and the property owner could be held legally liable for the full cost of its repair or replacement.

To protect your reputation as a tradesperson and avoid costly disputes, always advise a property owner to obtain written consent from their neighbour before any boundary work begins.

If the neighbour refuses permission, the professional standard is to quote a property owner for an independent, freestanding post-and-trellis system. This structure can be installed completely within a property’s boundary.

Do timber trellis panels need to be treated?

Whether timber trellis panels need to be treated will depend on how the materials selected have been manufactured:

• Dip-treated timber trellis panels are only coated on the surface and must be treated on an annual basis with a wood preserver to prevent rot and insect damage. 

• Pressure-treated timber trellis panels have preservatives forced deep into the timber core. These panels do not require immediate treatment to prevent decay, but applying a water-repellent sealant or stain will still help protect against weathering and UV fading.

Bear in mind that timber trellis panels are particularly prone to decay compared to standard timber fencing because of how they are used. Climbing plants hold moisture against the thin timber battens, restricted airflow keeps the panels damp, and soil or organic debris often collects around the base. 

Unpreserved or neglected timber trellis panels will degrade quickly under these conditions, leading to snapped laths and structural failure under the weight of mature greenery. However, timber trellis panels which are correctly treated before being installed can save on repairs once heavy plants grow around them.

How to install trellis panels

The first thing to consider when installing trellis panels around a property is finding the perfect placement for them. 

Work through these general guidelines to find an ideal location for any trellis panels which you are setting up:

• Install trellis panels in areas of a garden where they can face south or west for maximum exposure to sunlight, so that climbing plants can grow.

• Make sure a garden hose or sprinkler system can reach the trellis panels.

• Avoid placing trellis panels in cramped or enclosed spaces of a garden, as a lack of air circulation can cause moisture to build up on the structures.

• Place trellis panels where they can be visible, so that they act as a focal point of a property’s outdoor space.

Once you have pinpointed a perfect spot in a garden for trellis panels, follow these steps to install them onto a wall or fence:

1. Place a trellis panel on a wall or fence, using a spirit level to check that the structure will be level when fitted.

2. Also make sure to use a tape measure to check that the bottom of the trellis panel will be at least 45cm off the ground, so that the structure will not rot.

3. Mark all four corners of the trellis panels on the wall or fence.

4. Cut timber posts to length to use as battens, ensuring one can be placed between the wall or fence, another along the outer vertical of the trellis panel frame, and one more down the middle of the trellis panel.

5. Use screws and wall plugs to fix the battens to a wall or fence, placing them just inside the corner marks so that the battens will be hidden when the trellis panel is installed.

6. Drill clearance holes through all four corners of a trellis panel.

7. Screw the trellis panel into the battens, starting with the top row of screws and working your way down.

For more ways to improve the jobs you carry out around outdoor spaces of a property, explore the wide range of handy guides that we have available in the gardens and landscaping advice section of our Trade Corner hub.