Garden screens are one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can take on in a weekend. The result is dramatic — a plain fence or bare wall becomes a stylish feature — and the process is genuinely straightforward, even for first-timers. No specialist trades required. No concrete mixer. No experience necessary.
In this guide, we'll walk you through every installation method for Screen With Envy garden screens, so you can choose the right approach for your space and get a professional finish first time.
Before You Start — Choosing the Right Screen Thickness
Screen With Envy screens come in two thicknesses, and choosing the right one determines which installation method you'll use.
5mm screens are slim and flexible, designed to be fixed flat against an existing surface — a fence panel, garden wall, exterior wall or shed. They cannot be used freestanding. They're the perfect choice if you want to clad or upgrade something that's already there.
16mm screens are solid and rigid, engineered to hold their own weight. They can be used freestanding with Screen With Envy aluminium posts, or fixed to a surface. If you want screens that stand independently in open ground — around a seating area or a hot tub, for example — 16mm is the one you need.
Not sure which to pick? The chat team at Screen With Envy are available 24/7 and can advise based on your specific project.
What You'll Need
For fixing to a fence or wall (5mm screens):
- Your Screen With Envy 5mm screens
- Screws (40mm exterior-grade screws — available from B&Q, Wickes or Homebase)
- Raw plugs (if fixing into masonry or brick)
- A drill with a wood or masonry bit to match
- A spirit level
- A pencil or chalk line for marking positions
- A tape measure
For freestanding installation (16mm screens + posts):
- Your Screen With Envy 16mm screens
- Screen With Envy aluminium posts — choose height and base plate type to suit your surface
- A drill with masonry or bolt-down bit (depending on your surface)
- A spirit level
- A tape measure
- A rubber mallet (optional, for post adjustment)
For cutting screens to size (all methods):
- A jigsaw or circular saw
- Clamps to hold the screen steady while cutting
Method 1: Installing Garden Screens on an Existing Fence
This is the most popular installation method and the quickest to complete. You're adding the screen directly on top of your existing fence, instantly transforming its appearance.
This method works with 5mm screens from the Screen With Envy range and any fence panel or solid surface that can take a screw.
Step 1 — Measure and plan Measure the height and width of the fence section you want to cover. Lay your screens out on a flat surface to check coverage before fixing. If you need to cut any screens to size, do this now — use a jigsaw or circular saw, and clamp the screen securely before cutting. Cutting does not affect the weatherproofing or longevity of the screen.
Step 2 — Mark your fixing points Hold the first screen up against the fence in its final position. Use a pencil to mark the four corner fixing points through the screen onto the fence behind. For larger fence runs using multiple panels, use a chalk line or spirit level to ensure they'll sit level before marking.
Step 3 — Drill pilot holes Drill a pilot hole at each marked point in the fence. This prevents the fence from splitting and makes the screw easier to drive cleanly.
Step 4 — Fix the screen Hold the screen back in position and drive your exterior screws through the screen and into the fence. Use at least four fixings per screen — one at each corner — and add additional central fixings for larger panels. Do not overtighten; the screen should sit flush and flat, not bowed.
Step 5 — Check and repeat Hold a spirit level along the top edge to confirm the screen is sitting straight. Repeat for each subsequent panel, butting them together neatly edge-to-edge for a seamless look.
Alternatively: command strips For lighter 5mm screens on interior walls or smooth exterior walls, adhesive command strips can be used instead of screws — no drilling required. This is popular for renters or for temporary installations. Check the weight rating of the strips against your screen dimensions before using this method.
Method 2: Freestanding Garden Screens with Aluminium Posts
This is the method to use when you want screens to stand independently in your garden — without fixing to any existing structure. It's ideal for creating privacy around a seating area, defining zones in a larger garden, or enclosing a hot tub.
You'll need 16mm screens paired with Screen With Envy's purpose-built aluminium posts. Posts are available in heights from 1ft to 7ft, in black, grey, cream and Corten finishes, and come in straight, corner, and adjustable-angle ("Anyway") varieties to suit different layouts. Every post comes with a base plate and all fixings needed for your chosen surface — either bolt-down onto paving or concrete, or set into the ground.
Step 1 — Plan your layout Lay the screens and posts out on the ground to visualise the final layout before fixing anything. Decide how many screens you need per run, where corners will fall, and which post type is needed at each position (straight posts for mid-run positions, corner posts for right-angle turns, end posts to finish a run cleanly).
Step 2 — Mark post positions Mark the position of each post base on your surface. For a level result, use a chalk line or string line between the first and last post positions to ensure everything runs straight. Check positions with a tape measure — post centres should match the screen width exactly.
Step 3 — Fix the base plates Bolt the base plates to your surface using the fixings provided. If you're setting posts into the ground rather than onto a hard surface, dig or drive the post base to the required depth and pack with postcrete or gravel for stability.
Step 4 — Fit the posts Slide the aluminium posts down onto the base plates and tighten securely. Check each post is vertical with a spirit level before moving on.
Step 5 — Slide the screens into position Screen With Envy 16mm screens slot directly into the channels on either side of each post — no screws, no fixings, no adhesive. Simply slide the screen down into the channel until it sits flush at the base. The fit is precise by design, so the screen holds firmly without any additional fastening.
Step 6 — Finish with end caps Fit the post caps provided to the top of each post for a clean, finished look and to prevent water ingress.
Browse Screen With Envy's screen and post bundles for complete kits that include matching screens, posts, and all fixings — often at a significant saving compared to buying separately.
Method 3: Wall-Mounting Garden Screens
Wall-mounting works with both 5mm and 16mm screens and is ideal for cladding exterior house walls, garden outbuildings, pergola uprights, or any solid vertical surface.
Step 1 — Mark the fixing grid Rather than fixing only at the corners, wall-mounted screens look best with a regular grid of fixings — one every 30–40cm across and down the panel. Use a pencil and spirit level to mark a fixing grid on the wall before you start.
Step 2 — Drill wall fixings For masonry, brick or concrete walls, drill to the appropriate depth for your raw plugs using a masonry bit. Insert raw plugs into each hole.
Step 3 — Fix the screens Hold the screen against the wall, aligning it with your marked grid, and drive screws through the screen into the raw plugs. Work from one corner outward, checking with a spirit level as you go. For a particularly clean finish, use colour-matched screw caps over the fixing heads.
Pro tip: Leave a small gap (5–10mm) between the screen and the wall surface to allow airflow behind the panel, which reduces moisture build-up and extends the life of both the screen and the wall surface behind it.
Tips for a Professional Finish
Always use a spirit level. Even a slightly off-level screen becomes obvious once you step back. Check both horizontally and vertically at every stage.
Cut before you fix. If any screen needs trimming to fit, always cut before fixing in place. Trying to cut a fixed screen is awkward and risks damage to the surface behind.
Match your colours. Screen With Envy screens and posts are available in matching colour families — black, grey, cream and Corten. Mixing a black screen with grey posts looks unintentional. Choose a single colourway and stick to it throughout.
Plan corners carefully. Corner posts are designed specifically for right-angle turns and give a clean, professional result. Don't try to bodge a 45° corner with standard straight posts — it won't sit cleanly.
For large fence runs, start from the most visible end. If you can't avoid a cut panel, position it at the least visible end of the run.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using 5mm screens freestanding. The 5mm screens are designed to be fixed to a surface and will flex and bow if used without support. Always use 16mm for freestanding applications.
Skipping the spirit level. It's tempting to go by eye — don't. Even a few millimetres of lean becomes very noticeable across a long run of panels.
Not allowing for expansion. Leave a 2–3mm gap between adjacent 5mm cladding panels to allow for natural thermal expansion, especially in installations with large temperature swings between seasons.
Overtightening fixings. Composite material is strong but doesn't need the screw driven in hard. Snug is correct — overtightening can cause the head to sink through the surface, which looks poor and weakens the fixing.
Forgetting to measure post centres accurately. When using posts, the screen must slide cleanly into the channels on both sides. If post centres don't match the screen width exactly, the screen won't fit. Always double-check post positions against the actual screen dimensions before fixing base plates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install garden screens myself? Yes — all Screen With Envy screens are designed for DIY installation. The tools required are basic: a drill, a spirit level, and a tape measure. Most installations can be completed in a couple of hours. If you have any questions during installation, the Screen With Envy team are available by phone, live chat and email.
Do Screen With Envy screens come with fixings? Posts come complete with base plates and all fixings required for your chosen surface type (bolt-down or concrete-in). The 5mm cladding screens don't include screws, as the best fixing depends on what surface you're attaching to — standard exterior wood screws (40mm) from any DIY retailer are all you need for fence installation.
Can I cut Screen With Envy screens to size? Yes. All composite screens can be cut using a jigsaw or circular saw. Cutting does not affect the structural integrity or weatherproofing of the screen — the internal WPC material is fully waterproof throughout. A cut-to-size service is also available on selected products.
Do I need planning permission to install garden screens in the UK? In most cases, no. Garden screens and fences under 2 metres in height are typically covered by permitted development rights and don't require planning permission. For structures over 2 metres, or for properties in conservation areas, check with your local planning authority before installation.
How long does installation take? A single screen fixed to a fence takes around 15–20 minutes. A full freestanding run of three screens with posts typically takes 1.5–2 hours for someone working alone, or less than an hour with two people.
Can I install screens on a sloping garden? Yes. Screen With Envy's adjustable-angle "Anyway" posts are designed specifically for installations on slopes or uneven surfaces, allowing you to adjust the angle of the post to follow the ground level. See the full posts range for details.
Ready to Start Your Installation?
Browse all garden screens to find your design, or pick up everything you need in one go with a screen and post bundle — screens, posts, and fixings all matched and ready to go.
Free UK delivery on every order. Questions? Our team is available 24/7 by live chat or at hello@screenwithenvy.co.uk.