Contents Overview
Fence slats help to define boundaries and create privacy around your territory. Unlike privacy fence screens, chain link privacy slats has it’s popularity for a weatherproof feature and a grid-like beauty on chain link fences. Chain link privacy slats are perfect for adding privacy while maintaining visibility at the same time.
Privacy slats are a great in aesthetic and a complete DIY solution for adding a superb privacy to a specific area of your chain link fence. These slats can be inserted vertically into the chain link mesh or diamonds to create a visual barrier of your chain link fence. Privacy slats come in variety of materials, including plastic, aluminum, and wood, and come in different colors and styles to match the look of your fence. Some slats are designed to be inserted into the mesh using locking channels, while other fence slats can be woven through the diamond and . In this article, we mainly covered plastic and aluminum.
Windscreen or Privacy Slats?
The difference at a Glance:
| Privacy Fence Screen | Privacy Slats on Chain Link Fence |
| Zip Tie, Zip Tie Cutter, Scisors Are Needed to Install | No Needed. Sometimes only a Scisor may come in use. |
| Require stretching and unrolling | No unrolling, just put in withing the diamonds of chain link |
| Not Weatherproof but UV Proof | Weatherproof |
| You may require an additional hand to install this. | It can be installed easily all by yourself. |
| Privacy Screen just blocks the wind, view and noise to some extent. | Along side of blocking view, noise, dust; it improves security by making it more difficult for people to climb over the fence or see into your property. |
| Privacy screen can be installed at any see through fence, balcony or any exposed fence and can easily be removed if needed. | Privacy slats work best only for chain link fence, it can not be applied any other type of fence. |
| Easier to install and takes less time to make it uptight. | It takes time and a little bit complicated to install and you would need to buy additonal viper channel to make the inserted slats fixed. |
Source of information: American fence company and American Fence Store
What To Consider While Buying Fence Slats
There are many fencing options available on the market today. Therefore, you should purchase the one that meet your needs. Below are the main factors to put into consideration before purchasing:
How much durable it is?
As fence slats will be protecting your area, it needs o be made durable so that it can serve you for a long time. Check whether it is weather-resistant, rust-proof as well as strong built that can withstand any natural calamities.
How Transparent and thick is it for Privacy?
Since you are going to purchase it for our privacy, ensure its color is not transparent. The most popular colors are green, beige, red, and brown.
How easy is it to Install?
know, how the fence slats are installed and if it is easy for you to install since you might need to remove it from one place to another. Make sure you get viper channels for the bottom areas to lock which gives a good finisher for fence slats.
What material it is made of and What tools you need?
It should be constructed with premium quality material that won’t fade or rust. Make sure you get the viper channel along with the slats. Some manufacturers dont sell it with the slats.
Measure the Diamond of Chain link fence
- This measurement will make sure how much privacy you would get with a fence slat. Please note, measure the diamonds 45-degree angle, not vertically. An image is shown below how you measure your chain link fence to insert fence slats.
- However, fence slats insert into chain link fences vertically, but the 45 degree angle of the diamond of chain link fence tells you the space it might leave.
- Finally, pay attention to the gauge of your chain link fence to install fence slats, that is crucial since it determines the amount of privacy you may achieve by installing fence slats.
Color and Style Create a Huge Difference
Since fence slats come in different colors, style (Tube Style, Ridged Style or Winged, Solitube and a variety of designs, before purchasing take a look to your house. It will help you to understand which model will suit your home design or the lawn you have right in front of you property.
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A List of Best privacy slats for chain link fences and Reviews
Editor's Ranking Editor's Choice Editor's Rating Instant Link 1 Ridged Slats Single Wall Bottom Locking ✪✪✪✪✪ Buy At Amazon 2 Fenpro Store Wave Slats ✪✪✪✪✪ Buy At Amazon 3 SoliTube Winged Fence Slats ✪✪✪✪✪ Buy At Amazon 4 Fence Source Double Bottom Locking ✪✪✪✪☆ Buy At Amazon 5 Fence Source Wave Slats ✪✪✪✪☆ Buy At Amazon
Disclaimer: This is an Amazon Affiliate article. Editor Earns commission based on your purchase which involves no additional cost to the visitor.
1. Ridged Slats Single Wall Bottom Locking
Specialty
This tube slat is popular for providing maximum privacy. It provides between 90% and 100% privacy. Speciality is, it comes in 9 colors and 6 sizes.
What We Liked
- Easy Installation: installing solitube slats for chain link is easier than other fence tapes. It is designed to slide easily through your chain-link fence vertically and lock into the viper channel locking system. Or you can call it the bottom piece where the slats fit into.
- Material: SoliTube slats are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Moreover, it features color pigments and ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors to protect it from the harmful effects of sun.
- Different color and aesthetic design: Slitube slats come in different colors like beige, brown, white, or gray, or more vibrant colors like green or redwood. The aesthetic design makes it appealing to anyone.
Pros:
- Durable
- High coverage
- Zero maintenance
Cons:
- No warranty.
Bottom Line:
For those who are looking for high coverage privacy in their territory, ridged slats which is basically wing type will not dissatisfy you.
2. Fenpro Store Chain Link Privacy Slats
Specialty
this is a W-shaped single wall fence slat with a bottom lock design.
What We Liked
- Material: it is made of high-density polyethylene material with UV inhibitors. Moreover, it contains color concentrate and is weather-resistant, specifically designed to protect from the harmful effects of the sun.
- No Maintenance Needed: it does not require any maintenance. You can do pressure cleaning of the surface with plain water.
- Different Colors: they come with different colors, such as black, brown, green, navy blue, redwood, tan and white color.
Pros:
- Provides a 10 years warranty
- Super easy installation
- Different sizes are available
- Provides 85% privacy
Cons:
- Comes in premium price.
Bottom Line
It makes your fence look aesthetically pleasing. For those who are looking for fence slats that blend with beauty and functionality; this is the product to go with.
3. Solitube Winged Fence Slats for Chain Link Fence
Specialty
- Solitube fence slats are super popular for providing maximum privacy. It provides between 90% and 100% privacy.
What We Liked:
- Easy Installation: installing solitude slats for chain links is easier than other fence tapes. It is designed to slide easily through your chain-link fence vertically and lock into the viper channel locking system.
- Material: SoliTube slats are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). Moreover, it features color pigments and ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors to protect it from the harmful effects of the sun.
- Different color and aesthetic design: Slitube slats come in different colors like beige, brown, white, or gray, or more vibrant colors like green or redwood. The aesthetic design makes it appealing to anyone.
Pros:
- Durable
- High coverage
- Zero maintenance
Cons:
- No warranty
Bottom Line
For those who are looking for maximum privacy fence slats, Solitube Slats will not dissatisfy you. Their amazing variations in color and ample choices of getting the right size would ease your confusion to get the right type and cover the size for your yard to the fence and to ensure proper blockage of view.
4. Fence Source Double-Double Bottom Locking Privacy Fence Slat
Specialty
- Made in the USA.
- It provides you 30 years of a limited warranty that speaks loudly about the durability of this product.
What We Liked
- Durability: the wall tube is designed in an oval shape which provides extra durability and longevity. The two inside legs provide extra strength and make installation easy.
- Material: the Fence Source fence slat is made of HDPE (plastic) – High-Density Polyethylene with UV inhibitors that prevent sun fading. It suits all climatic conditions.
- Different Colors: it comes in beige, black, brown, gray, green, redwood, royal blue, sky blue, and white color.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Long term warranty
Cons:
- Could be made thicker
- Does not provide full privacy
Bottom line
This fence slat is for those who are just looking for a boundary for property and privacy is not a mandatory thing to them.
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5. Fence Source Winged Chain Link Privacy Slats
Specialty
- USA-built slat which offers 30- year limited warranty that lasts longer than windscreen.
- And if you want you can return it to them (unopened) and get your money back within 30 days.
What we liked
- Material: It is made of high-density polyethylene featuring UV inhibitors that helps to prevent sun fading
- Bottom locking channel: It features a bottom locking channel that positions the slats in place without above the fence top.
- 9 Different Colors and 5 Sizes to Choose from: They come in amazingly 9 different colors to choose from. They are Beige, Black, Brown, Gray, Green, Redwood, Royal Blue, Sky Blue, White
- Long Term Warranty: it comes with 30 years long warrant to ensure you privacy and protection for years to come.
Pros:
- Available in different heights
- Suits all climatic condition
- Quick installation
Cons:
- Not very durable
Bottom Line
Wave Slats are long-lasting and decorative. They come with a long-term warranty. Its installation process is so easy that can be done by a single person.
6. Tube Slats For Chain Link Fence
Specialty
- Comes in six sizes and 9 amazing colors
- Compatible with 3′, 4′, 5′, 6′, 7′, and 8′ height fences.
What we liked
- 75% blockage
- Tube Style
Pros:
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE), color pigments, and ultraviolet (UV) inhibitors.
- Double wall construction make it strong works as noise, dust and dust reducer.
- 30 year of warranty
Cons:
- Heavy to transport, so the cost of transport would be higher.
Bottom Line
Why you would buy double wall construction tube slats? Answer needs a little bit more elaboration, single wall ridged style slats are 15% wider, less expensive and cover the same 30 years of warranty. This means ridged slats ensure more coverage with less money.
Whereas, the tube slats are heavy and takes a littble more work to install it. However, it is heaviers, more sturdy than ridged slats, provides more privacy, and works as a great noise reducer. If you compare about their popularity, Tube slats are more famous and used around U.S.
7. Slat Depot 6 Feet White Slats for Chain Link Fence
Specialty
- Comes in 6 feet only
What we liked
- Easy to install
Pros:
- Durability is assured.
Cons:
- No other color is availaible.
Bottom Line
Comes as tube which is easier to install and last for years.
FAQ
Can fence slats be trimmed shorter? With what tools?
Yes, you can trim or cut some of these fence slats. Depending on the slat you may have to cut the top or the bottom because of the way they are inserted into the fence and locked into place. The best and fastest method to cut fence slats is with a chop saw, scissors, tin snips, band saw and tree pruners.
Are the slats fade-resistant?
Yes. You should not notice any fade in your fence slats. The slats are made of very durable High-Density Polyethylene, color pigment, and UV inhibitors. They are fade resistant. But the fact is, they will fade eventually after using them for years. You should not see color variation when it fades.
Do these blocks sound at all?
They do block some sound, but it would be very little. Fence slats are more for privacy.
Do fence slats block the wind?
Slats do help to block the wind. The amount of wind blockage is determined by the height of your fence and the percentage of privacy the slat provides. The higher the percentage of privacy, the more wind blockage you will get. Be sure your fence is strong enough to handle the increased wind load of adding slats to your chain link.
How should I maintain my privacy fence slat?
It does not require any maintenance. You can clean do pressure cleaning of the surface with plain water.
How do you measure for fence slats?
According to chainlinkfencing.org
To Conclude
You have to think about cost, timeliness, removable option etc. But if you install fence slats in your desired area, you can install it in a short time. Moreover, you can easily move chain link privacy slats from one place to another, and it is also a cost-effective option compared to wood or concrete fences. You should also make sure that the slats you buy are suitable and compatible with the size and type of chain link mesh you have aroung your porperty.
May be you dont need to cover the entire fence with slats, only a particular area where you need the privacy, such as your gate or the entrance part. Proper installation and maintenance of your privacy slats will make sure how long it is going to last and how many years it will serve your purpose to provide the privacy and security you desire.