Parade of Homes featuring the best of new homes in Manitoba, Canada
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/1492837
PRIVACY SCREENS Make a big difference in small spaces >> IT'S NICE to have friendly neighbours, but in some tight- knit communities, they can be a little too close for comfort. If you feel like you're on display every time you step outside to enjoy your backyard, consider putting up a privacy screen. Decorative metal screens are an attractive option for second- storey decks, patios and small yards. Peruse fence and screen options at your favourite building supply store or look for inspiration online. Alberta company Hideaway Screens (hideawayscreens.ca) offers nine standard designs that provide varying degrees of privacy without obstructing your view. Founders Jenna and Richard Van Wieren were in a position many of us know all too well. They liked their neighbours, but one day in 2017, Jenna mentioned that it would be nice to have more privacy while they were outside enjoying their back deck. Metal fabricator Richard got right down to business — creating a metal screen that did the job and looked good, too. Friends and family members who came over for barbecues were so impressed, they put in requests for their own screens. Today, Hideaway Screens ships its products all over North America. Standard screens are 36x68 inches and can be installed vertically or horizontally. Put them between decorative posts, use them as inserts in deck railings or position them in strategic areas, near your fire pit, outdoor kitchen or favourite reading chair. There's even a stand-alone planter option that adds an extra layer of beauty. Some homeowners might prefer to create a privacy screen entirely from greenery, with a little help from a trellis or similar supporting structure. Pay a visit to a garden centre to explore shrubs and climbing plants. Virginia creeper grows so fast, you might want to cut it back in its second year, and it will need maintenance to keep it from taking over nearby vertical spaces. A clematis might grow to three metres in height over time and its flowers may attract the notice of friendly visitors you do want to see every day – hummingbirds. DECORATIVE METAL SCREENS ARE AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION FOR SECOND-STOREY DECKS, PATIOS AND SMALL YARDS. 124 Parade of Homes SPRING 2023