Privacy From Upstairs Neighbors

Why vertical screens fail below a balcony

A vertical screen works by catching a sightline on its way down. The shallower the sightline, the more it can be caught low. From a balcony right above your patio, the sightline is steep — it reaches your seating after a short horizontal run — so a vertical screen must be almost as tall as the balcony to intercept it.

Example: a balcony with eyes at 4.60 m (15 ft 2 in), your patio starting 1 m out from the wall and 3 m deep, seated people at 1.20 m (4 ft 0 in). A vertical screen just in front of the patio (0.9 m from the wall) would need to be 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in) tall.

Overhead cover: intercepting the view from above

A horizontal cover at height C catches the sightline to the near edge of the seating where that line passes height C. The cover therefore has to extend past the seating edge toward the viewer by:

extension = distance to seating edge × (cover height − height to hide) ÷ (eye height − height to hide)

For the example: 1 × (2.4 − 1.2) ÷ (4.6 − 1.2) = 0.36 m (1 ft 2 in). A pergola or awning over the seating that reaches that little bit further blocks the view from above completely, at a height of only 2.40 m (7 ft 11 in).

When overhead cover is efficient — and when it is not

The extension grows in proportion to the horizontal distance, so overhead cover suits close, high viewpoints and becomes impractical for views from across a wide yard. For a cover at 2.40 m (7 ft 11 in) hiding seated people:

Situation	Cover must extend beyond the seating edge
Balcony directly above, patio 1 m out (eyes at 4.60 m)	0.36 m (1 ft 2 in)
Balcony one floor up, patio 3 m out (eyes at 4.60 m)	1.06 m (3 ft 6 in)
Two floors up, patio 3 m out (eyes at 7.60 m)	0.57 m (1 ft 11 in)
Window across a yard, patio 9 m away (eyes at 4.60 m)	3.18 m (10 ft 6 in)

For the window across the yard, a vertical screen close to the patio is usually the better tool — see blocking a second-story neighbor’s view.

Neighbors beside you on the same level

On adjoining balconies or terraces, the viewpoint is at roughly your own height and close to the side. Here vertical screens work very well: when the viewer’s eyes are at or below the screen top, they cannot see over it at all. What matters is width and how far the screen projects outward, because neighbors can lean or look around its end. The planner’s top view with the observer offset to one side shows how far the screen must extend.

Planning checklist

1. Identify each viewpoint above you: balconies, windows, roof terraces. Enter their floor level and horizontal distance in the planner’s Advanced mode.
2. Decide the smallest area that must be private — a table, a lounger, a hot tub.
3. Test a vertical screen first. If the recommended height is unrealistic, the view is steep enough for overhead cover.
4. Use the extension formula above to size the cover, adding a margin for viewers leaning over railings.
5. Check building, lease or condominium rules before installing anything.

Frequently asked questions

Can a privacy screen block a balcony directly above me?

Not practically. When the viewer is almost directly above, sightlines are close to vertical, and a vertical screen would have to be nearly as tall as the balcony. In the example on this page a screen 0.9 m from the wall would need 3.84 m (12 ft 7 in). Overhead cover is the geometric solution.

How far does a pergola or awning need to extend?

Beyond the edge of your seating toward the building by: horizontal distance to that edge × (cover height − height to hide) ÷ (viewer eye height − height to hide). The closer and higher the viewer, the shorter that extension.

Are slatted pergolas enough?

Slats angled against the viewing direction block steep sightlines well while letting light through; from other directions they may be see-through. Solid covers block from every angle but also block sky and light. Model the cover height and extent here, then choose the material.

Can I put up screens on a rented or condo balcony?

That depends on your lease, condominium or building rules and local regulations, which this site cannot advise on. Freestanding, non-drilled options are common, but check the rules first.