Shopping for a Privacy Screen

Whether you are looking for a way to create more privacy in an area of your home, block out an unpleasant view, or change the energy flow of the feng shui in a particular room, a privacy screen can be a wonderful and cost effective way to go. There are a myriad of design options that you can choose from to suit your specific needs. On the market today you can find any number of beautiful decorative screens, or you may even choose to create your own from scratch.

The first step in choosing the right privacy screen for your home is simply analyzing the space. What is your goal in bringing a privacy screen into your design? Is it simply an element in your visual décor, or does it serve some practical purpose as well? How much space do you have to work with? What other elements in the room must be taken into account in making a choice? Are there specific pieces of furniture in the room that you would like to accent, match or contrast? Is there a color theme already established? Answering a few of these questions will give you a good starting point in establishing exactly what your needs are in choosing a privacy screen.

Next, think about whether the specifics of the screen itself. Is there a particular style that you are seeking? What sort of material would you like the screen to be made of? There are numerous options in terms of material. Below are a few of the choices.

MDF

MDF is an acronym which stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. It is a composite of compressed wood, timber, and glue, and it can be ordered in varying thicknesses. The main benefits of using MDF are that it is extremely lightweight and thus easy to move around and install, and that due to the lightness of the material, it can be laser cut very easily, allowing for intricate and beautiful designs at very low cost.

CorTen/Weathered Steel

This material is a popular choice because its rusted look can be quite a striking design feature when implemented properly. The main thing to consider when using this material is placement. You want to be sure that it will not get wet, because if it does it can rust over and ruin its elegance and charm. However you may choose to place it outdoors and intentionally allow it to rust.

Plastic/Acrylic

The wonderful thing about these materials is that they are extremely versatile and lightweight. There are innumerable colors and designs available in plastics and acrylics. No matter what your design needs are, it is likely that you can find an appropriate color or texture in plastic or acrylic to match your décor.

Metal

You can commission a privacy screen in most any kind of sturdy construction sheeting. The main benefit to choosing metal for your screen is general durability. Metal can be laser cut as well, but the price is likely to be much higher than the cost of cutting MDF.