Privacy Screens: Designing for Comfort, Compliance and Coastal Living

February 2026

When designing a home, privacy is just as important as light, views and layout, particularly in coastal and growing communities where homes are often built closer together. Privacy screens play a vital role in creating comfortable, liveable spaces while ensuring your home meets planning and overlooking requirements.

As our Head Designer explains:
Privacy screens are required to limit overlooking into existing adjoining properties. Some examples of this are providing a timber slat screen on upper balconies or alternatively upgrading to privacy glass screens.

At Coldon Homes, we see privacy screening not as a restriction, but as an opportunity to enhance the look, feel and functionality of your home.

 

Why Privacy Screens Matter

Privacy screens are most commonly required on upper-storey balconies, decks and windows where overlooking neighbouring properties occurs. Councils and planning regulations often specify minimum screening requirements, but how these are achieved is where good design makes all the difference.

Done well, privacy screens can:

  • Maintain your outlook while protecting neighbouring privacy

  • Improve comfort in outdoor living areas

  • Add architectural interest and texture to the home

  • Help manage sun, wind and coastal exposure

 

Timber Screens: Warm, Natural and Timeless

Timber slat screens remain a popular choice, particularly for coastal and contemporary homes. They offer a warm, natural aesthetic and can be designed with varying batten spacing to meet privacy requirements without feeling closed in. You can also choose a paint colour to tie in with the rest of your home or make it a feature.

Timber screens work beautifully when paired with:

  • Upper balconies

  • Bedrooms overlooking neighbouring homes

  • Outdoor living areas requiring both screening and shade

They also allow airflow and filtered light, making them ideal for coastal environments where comfort and durability are key considerations.

 

Privacy Glass: A Sleek, Modern Alternative

For homeowners seeking a more streamlined or contemporary look, privacy glass screens are an excellent alternative. These screens provide the required level of privacy while still allowing light to pass through, maintaining a sense of openness.

We work closely with trusted local suppliers like Blue Croc Manufacturing to deliver high-quality glass privacy solutions that meet both design intent and regulatory requirements.

Privacy glass is particularly well suited to:

  • Modern and architectural homes

  • Balconies with key views to preserve

  • Clients wanting low-maintenance solutions

 

Designed to Suit Your Home and Your Block

Every block, build and lifestyle is different. That’s why privacy screening at Coldon Homes is always considered early in the design process. Our team works closely with you to ensure privacy screens are:

  • Compliant with local planning requirements

  • Thoughtfully integrated into the home’s design

  • Matched to your materials, finishes and façade

  • Positioned to maximise light, views and liveability

Whether it’s timber, glass, or a combination of both, we tailor privacy solutions to suit your home.

 

Thoughtful Design, Down to the Details

Privacy screens may be a requirement, but with the right approach, they become a design feature that enhances your home for years to come. It’s this attention to detail, where balancing compliance, comfort and aesthetics defines the Coldon Homes approach.

If you’re planning a new home build on the Bass Coast or South Gippsland our team is always happy to talk through privacy solutions that work for your block, your lifestyle and your vision.

Because good design isn’t just about what you see, it’s about how your home feels.

Thinking about building your own home? Explore our designs or get in touch with our team to start the conversation.

View our display home locations here and our full selection of home designs here.

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