On a deck or balcony, a solid windbreak screen placed close to your seating area works well when you want to create privacy without losing the view, while slats or several sections arranged at an angle may be a better choice in the garden when you need to block the wind over a larger area or when it’s coming from multiple directions.
Regardless of the solution, placement is more important than the material. The windbreak needs to be positioned between the disruptive wind and the spot where you actually want shelter, and its height, length, and shape need to be adapted to how the wind moves in that particular outdoor space.
An attractive windbreak can therefore have little effect if it is too low, too short, or positioned on the wrong side of the seating area. Two well-placed sections can provide more shelter from the wind than a significantly longer, straight screen.
How do height and shape affect the shelter a windbreak provides?
The height primarily determines how far behind the windbreak the sheltered area extends. The shape determines how well the seating area is protected when the wind changes direction or blows around the edges of the shelter.
The taller the windbreak, the further behind it the shelter from the wind can be felt
When the wind hits a windbreak, a large portion of the airflow is directed upward and over it. On the leeward side, a calmer zone then forms where the wind speed is lower.
As a rough rule of thumb, the noticeable coverage area can extend about ten times the height of the shield. This explains why a low- windbreak often has less effect on a seating area located several metres away.
When comparing windbreak, you therefore need to consider the height in relation to the distance to the spot where you actually want to create shelter.
The sheltered zone has no sharp boundary. Wind speed, terrain, the length and permeability of the windbreak also affect the result.
An L-shape provides better protection when the wind direction varies
A straight section primarily provides protection from one direction. Two sections arranged at an angle, on the other hand, can slow down wind from multiple directions and reduce the amount of air reaching the seating area around the edges of the shelter.
Provides protection mainly from one direction
A good choice when the wind direction is clear and steady. The downside is that the wind can more easily get around the open ends.
Creates a more sheltered corner
The wind is slowed from two directions at once, creating a more sheltered seating area when it shifts or comes in diagonally from the side.
Houses, hedges, changes in elevation, and other structures can cause the wind to blow in a completely different direction than the general wind direction in the area. Therefore, check the direction of the wind on several occasions before deciding on the location and orientation of the windbreak.
Which gives better shelter from the wind – solid glass or open slats?
It depends on where you want to reduce the wind. A solid windbreak often provides the most noticeable reduction in wind near the screen, while a more permeable shield can slow the wind more evenly across a larger area.
| Compare | Glass windbreak | Permeable – slats |
|---|---|---|
| How is the wind affected? | Air cannot pass through the screen itself but is largely directed over and around it. | Some air passes between slats at the same time that the wind speed is slowed down. |
| Closest to the shelter | Creates a noticeably calmer area right behind the glass. | The wind isn't stopped quite as abruptly because some air passes through the gaps. |
| Further back | The airflow can once again reach behind the dense screen, which can create more movement farther away. | The reduction in wind could be more even and noticeable across a larger portion of the patio. |
| Best suited for when | The seating area is close to windbreak, and you want to preserve the light and the view. | You want to slow down the wind over a larger area and don't need completely windproof protection right next to it. |
| Typical locations | Deck, balcony, or seating area where the cover is placed near the furniture. | A larger patio, garden, or area where the wind-sheltering effect needs to be felt farther behind the screen. |
Density is only one part of the whole picture. The height, length, and placement of the windbreak, as well as the local wind direction, also affect how much shelter the windbreak actually provides.
Which material is best for a windbreak?
Glass is a good choice when you want to preserve light and views, while slats are better suited when you want some air to pass through the screen. The choice also depends on how the windbreak will be used.
| Materials | View | Care | Wind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear glass | Unobstructed views and plenty of light. Ideal when you want to preserve the view. | Clean off dirt, pollen, and splashes as needed. | The dense surface provides significant wind reduction near the shelter. |
| Frosted glass | Lets in light but blocks the view and provides more privacy. | It is basically cared for in the same way as clear glass. | Works on the same wind-blocking principle as clear glass, but combines shelter with greater privacy. |
| Aluminium slats | The gaps allow some light and visibility to pass through. | Usually requires only surface cleaning as needed. | Air passes between the slats and is slowed down more gradually. |
| Timber slats | The density determines how much visibility and light are preserved. | The requirements vary depending on the type of wood, the finish, and how exposed the structure is. | The size of the openings determines how much air passes through the screen. |
Glass and painted aluminium are generally low-maintenance options that mainly need to be cleaned as needed. Wood may require more ongoing surface treatment depending on the type of wood, finish, and exposure.
How do you properly place windbreak on your patio, balcony, or in your garden?
Place the windbreak between the disruptive wind and the spot where you actually want to sit. In other words, start with the seating area—not automatically from the outer edge of the patio or the property.
Position the screen where wind reaches the seating area
On a small patio, floor space is often limited. A windbreak on the deck can therefore, depending on its design and system, be placed on or next to an existing railing so that more space is left free for furniture.
The same principle applies to windbreak on a balcony: start with the side where the wind actually reaches the seating area, and at the same time check how the solution affects the railing's function and fixing.
Protect the place where you spend time – not the whole property
In the garden, you have more freedom when it comes to placement. Windbreak can stand alone, be part of a fence, or be placed right next to a seating area, dining area, or barbecue area.
Don't necessarily try to screen off the entire property. Two well-placed sections around the area where you spend time may be more useful than a much longer, straight stretch at a greater distance.
If windbreak is combined with a railing that also serves as a fall protection, the railing’s protective function must be maintained. Verify that the windbreak’s fixing and the supporting structure are suitable for the wind load and that the solution does not compromise the railing’s safety.
What should you check before choosing a windbreak?
Start with the location and the wind – not the material. Once the basic conditions are established, it becomes easier to choose the right height, shape, and installation method.
Go through these seven points
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Where are you actually going to sit?
Arrange the furniture first, starting with the area where you want to create a sheltered spot. That way, you’ll avoid designing the windbreak based on the outer edge of the patio or property instead of the space that will actually be used.
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Where is that disruptive wind coming from?
Check the wind conditions at several different times. Houses, hedges, changes in elevation, and other structures can cause the wind to blow differently than the general wind direction in the area.
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Do you need protection from more than one direction?
If the wind frequently changes direction, two sections arranged at an angle can create a more reliably sheltered area than a single long, straight section. The shape should follow the actual path of the wind as it reaches the seating area.
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Is the height right for the area you want to shelter?
A higher windbreak affects the wind further behind the structure, but the exact range also depends on the length and density of the shielding, as well as the surrounding environment. The height must therefore be assessed in conjunction with the placement.
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Should the wind be stopped abruptly or slowed down more gradually?
Glass provides a tight wind barrier close to the shelter while maintaining the view. Slats allow some air to pass through and can provide a more even reduction in wind over a larger area.
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Should windbreak remain as is, or should it be movable?
A fixed location often calls for a permanent installation. If the guard is to be movable, the freestanding solution must have a base, ballast, or other stabilising feature designed for that specific structure.
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Can the fixings withstand the wind loads on the screen?
The taller and denser the shelter, the more wind the structure can catch. Therefore, make sure that the fixings, supporting substrate or freestanding base are suitable for both windbreak and the site’s wind exposure.
Choose a solution based on the location – not the other way around
You should now know where the shelter will be located, what wind conditions it needs to withstand, what shape and height are required, and whether the solution should be attached or freestanding. The choice of materials then becomes part of the overall design rather than the starting point.
Which windbreak is right for your patio?
The right windbreak depends mainly on where you need shelter, the direction of the wind, and whether you want a dense or more open shelter. Once you’ve made those choices, it will be easier to compare options for your specific outdoor space.
What do you need to know about windbreaks?
Here are short answers to common questions about sheltered areas, shapes, materials, positioning and windbreak installation.
How far behind a windbreak can you feel the shelter?
As a practical rule of thumb, the effect can be felt over a distance of about ten times the height of the windbreak. The actual sheltered area is also influenced by the length and density of the windbreak, wind speed, and the surrounding environment, so this distance should be considered an approximate guideline.
When is an L-shaped windbreak better than a straight one?
An L-shaped windbreak may be better when the wind frequently changes direction or blows diagonally from the side. Two sections arranged at an angle can then create a more sheltered corner, while a straight section works best when the wind comes from a clear and steady direction.
Is glass better than slats?
It depends on the effect you want to achieve. Glass provides a tight wind barrier close to the screen and works well when you want to preserve light and the view. Slats allow some air to pass through and can provide a more even reduction in wind speed over a larger area. Height, density, and placement affect the result at least as much as the material itself.
Can a solid screen make the wind worse?
Yes. A solid or poorly positioned screen can create turbulence behind or around the structure. It often provides strong shelter immediately behind the screen, while airflow further back may become more turbulent. Height, length, solidity and position therefore need to be considered together.
Which material requires the least maintenance?
Glass and powder-coated aluminium typically require relatively little routine maintenance and are cleaned primarily as needed. Wood may require more regular maintenance depending on the type of wood, the surface treatment, and how exposed the structure is to the weather and moisture.
Should the solution be permanently installed or freestanding?
A fixed installation is appropriate when the location is fixed and the structure is intended to remain in place over time. A freestanding solution is better suited when the structure needs to be movable. Regardless of the choice, fixing, the base or ballast must be adapted to the structure and the site’s exposure to wind.
Do plants act as windbreaks?
Yes, dense hedges and other vegetation can slow down the wind, but the effect varies depending on height, density, growth habit, and season. Plants therefore do not provide the same predictable effect as a fixed structure, but can work well as a complement or when a softer, more permeable solution is desired.
