How to Choose the Right Windscreen for Your Pickleball Court

When it comes to setting up the perfect pickleball court, it’s all about having the right equipment in place to ensure everyone can play the game optimally. Whether you have a personal court, a gym, or your own pickleball facility, having something like a sports windscreen in place will seriously benefit your court and the people playing on it. 

Sometimes called a privacy screen or fence cover, not all sports court windscreens are created equally. Choosing the right one for your pickleball court can not only make for a more enjoyable playing experience, but it can improve the overall look and feel of your court. 

Let’s first look at some of the benefits of a good sports windscreen for a pickleball court, and then determine how to find the right sports windscreen to fit your needs.  


What Are the Benefits of a Windscreen? 


The biggest benefits of installing a windscreen on your pickleball court include: 

  • Adding more privacy - This is great if you have a home court, or multiple courts as part of a business and you want each one to have a certain level of privacy so others aren’t interfering with games. 
  • Minimizing dust and debris - If debris ends up on the court while you’re playing, it can interrupt the game or cause problems. It could even be dangerous for the teams playing. A windscreen will not only keep your games protected from dust, dirt, and debris, but it will make it easier to keep your court clean when it’s not in use, so you don’t have to do as much work. 
  • Promotion - If you do have your own business or gym, you can even use a windscreen as a promotional tool by putting your logo on it. It’s an easy way to foster a sense of professionalism and use it as a marketing tool. 
  • Uniformity - Windscreens can help to create a more uniform background to your pickleball court. This is especially important if your court is outside and there are a lot of other distractions around. A windscreen surrounding your court will help players from getting distracted so easily, giving everyone an equal playing advantage. 

Because there are so many benefits to using a windscreen on a pickleball court, it’s important to choose the right one. So, what should you consider when making that decision? 


The Amount of Privacy

Consider how much privacy you actually want to get from the windscreen you’re using. If you want to install it in your backyard, for example, it may be your only form of privacy to ‘protect’ yourself from neighbors or people walking/driving by. So, you might want a screen that offers 100% privacy. 

The amount of privacy you’ll get depends on what the screen is made of. You will achieve the most privacy by choosing a screen that is made from 100% vinyl, usually coated in polyester. The next-best choice would be vinyl-coated mesh, which will give you about 84% privacy. 

If you’re less concerned with privacy and just want a screen to separate your court from the elements, an extrusion-coated screen will give you about 75% privacy. 


Wind Passage

A windscreen is meant to block out the wind, after all! So, if your pickleball court is outside, choosing a screen that will do its job effectively is important, especially if you live in a particularly windy area. 

Again, solid vinyl will keep just about any wind from passing through. A mesh option will allow some wind flow, but it shouldn’t be enough to disrupt your games. In fact, some people prefer to let a slight breeze come through their windscreen to keep players cool.


How Easy Is It to Handle? 

Once you set a windscreen up, you’re probably not going to move it around very much. But, if you have an outdoor court and you’ll need to take your windscreen down in the colder months, it’s a good idea to choose one that won’t be difficult to install/uninstall. 

Windscreens come in different weights, and while they generally aren’t that heavy, it depends on your own personal abilities and strength. If your screen is for personal use, choosing one that will be easy to handle will make it more likely for you to get it out year after year, rather than ignoring your need for it. 


Life Expectancy

A windscreen is an investment, whether you’re getting it for your backyard or your gym. If you use your pickleball court a lot, you will have to prepare for some wear and tear on lower-quality screens. 

Consider the durability and life expectancy of the screen(s) you’re choosing when it comes time to make a purchase. Extrusion-coated/vinyl-coated polyester will typically last the longest at anywhere from 4-5 years. While these options are typically the most expensive, you’ll essentially be getting the most “bang for your buck” when you buy them. 

Alternatively, you can go a less expensive route if your windscreen won’t be getting a lot of use. Vinyl-coated mesh screens can be a bit cheaper, but may only last 2-3 years, so you will have to purchase them more frequently. 


Which Windscreen is Right for You? 

As you can see, there are plenty of things to consider when you’re looking at windscreens for your pickleball court. Simply put, a lot of your decision will come from personal preference and taking a look at how different screen opacities will fit your needs. 


But, if you’re trying to upgrade your pickleball court, whether it’s personal or professional, installing a sports windscreen is a great way to do it. You’ll notice a difference right away, and anyone else who plays on your court will appreciate the fact that it is clean, easy to play on, and offers limited distractions. Consider some of these factors when you’re making your choice on a windscreen, and the decision should be much easier.