Batten screens, meaning rows of slats fixed to a frame with gaps between them, are mostly built alongside other work: closing in the side of a carport, screening an outdoor kitchen or laundry from the neighbours, or topping up a fence along the road. They tidy up steelwork and still let some air and light through.
Know this before you choose: slats block the view, but they don't fully keep out rain. The tighter the spacing, the more privacy you get, but the less breeze, and afternoon heat can build up behind it. Rong looks at how much wind-driven rain and afternoon sun that side gets, then suggests a spacing that balances the two.
If the screen is built at the same time as the main structure, the supporting frame goes in from the start. That looks neater than adding it later, when the existing frame has to be drilled or welded, and it usually costs less too.
If you are already planning a carport or back extension, tell Rong at the survey where you would like slats, or send photos on LINE of the wall or boundary you want to screen, so it can all go in one quotation.
- Jobs start from
- 10,000 THB
- Team experience
- 30+ years
- Site survey
- Free
- Steel grade
- Your choice
Designs and options
Horizontal slats
The modern look, popular for carport sides and fences. Gaps must be even along the whole run. Rain and dust sit on the slats, and with small children in the house, horizontal slats are easy to climb.
Vertical slats
Makes a wall look taller and suits narrow spaces. Rain runs off rather than sitting, and they are harder to climb. From an angle, though, you can see more through them.
Close-spaced privacy screen
Narrow gaps, so little is visible from outside. Good for outdoor kitchens and laundry areas, but less air gets through. For a kitchen that produces a lot of smoke, don't close in every side tightly.
Screens combined with other work
Built together with a carport, outdoor kitchen, gate or deck so materials and colours match, and the supporting frame goes in at the same time.
Materials: the honest pros and cons
Composite wood (WPC)
Good near the seaPros
- No rot, no termites, no rust
- Doesn't need repainting like real timber
Worth knowing
- Costs more than steel
- Some boards expand in strong sun and bow if the maker's spacing guidance isn't followed
Composite handles salt air well, but the steel frame and screws still need rust protection. The colour will fade somewhat after long sun exposure.
Fibre-cement boards
Good near the seaPros
- No rot or termites, and handles humidity
- Can be painted any colour
Worth knowing
- Needs repainting periodically
- Can crack from a hard knock or screws too close to the edge
Good value if you want a timber look on a tighter budget, as long as you accept repainting every so often.
Painted box-section steel (plain or wood-effect finish)
Near the sea: depends on specPros
- Strong and affordable
- Can be made as one piece with the frame
Worth knowing
- Rusts if the protection is poor
- Steel soaks up heat
Near the sea, rust protection matters. You choose the section size and rust-protection system; Rong explains the pros and cons and it goes in the quotation.
Real timber
Not recommended near the seaPros
- Natural good looks
Worth knowing
- Needs frequent staining or treatment
- Risk of termites, rot and warping in sun and rain
Outdoors in Krabi's heavy rain and humidity, we don't recommend real timber unless you're ready to keep maintaining it.
How the price is worked out
Batten screens start from 10,000 THB, but there is no fixed price and we can't give a real figure in advance. It depends on the site, slat spacing, height, whether it is built with other work, and steel and material prices at the time. Rong does a free site survey first, then writes an itemised quotation based on material prices at that time. Remote or boat-access areas such as Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi carry a travel fee, which is shown in the quotation before you agree to anything.
There is no fixed price. It depends on your site and on steel and material prices at the time. The site survey is free.
Included
- Site survey and planning the screen together with the main build
- Itemised written quotation
- Steel support frame with rust-protective paint
- Fixing slats at the agreed spacing
- Clearing offcuts and debris when the job is done
Not included
- Materials, if you choose a labour-only contract
- Repainting slats after handover
- Decorative or feature lighting, unless listed in the quotation
- Removing existing walls or fences, unless listed in the quotation
How a job with us runs
- 1
Send photos on LINE
Photos plus a location pin. Rong tells you early if the idea is realistic.
- 2
Free site survey
He checks the walls, the ground and where the rain will go — the things photos can’t show.
- 3
Written, itemised quote
Full contract (labour + materials) or labour-only. Nothing hidden in a lump sum.
- 4
30% deposit, then work starts
Only once you have agreed the design and price. Payment is by cash bill, no VAT invoice.
- 5
Walk-through before handover
We check every point with you. 1-year warranty under the conditions in the quote.
How long it takes
If the screen is part of a larger build, the time is included in that job. Added on its own later, it depends on the length, the material and whether the existing frame needs strengthening. Rong gives a timeline after the survey and it goes in the quote.
1-year warranty: what it covers
One year, under the site-specific conditions written into your quotation.
Covered
- Fixing of the slats to the frame (workmanship)
- 1-year warranty under the site-specific conditions written in your quotation
Not covered
- Natural fading or colour change of materials in the sun
- Anything the quotation does not list as covered
Batten Screens & Privacy Walls: questions we get asked
Can you build just a privacy screen, with no other work?
Ask on LINE with photos. Most of our batten screens go in alongside a carport, outdoor kitchen or fence because the frame is built at the same time. From your photos Rong can tell whether it needs a new frame or can fix to what is already there.
Will a slatted screen keep rain out of my carport?
Not completely. The gaps let the breeze through, and wind-driven rain comes through too. For real rain protection you need tighter spacing, a solid section or a longer roof overhang. Rong looks at the prevailing wind and rain on your site and tells you straight what will work.
How tight do the slats need to be so neighbours can't see in?
It depends on how far away people are and whether they look straight on or at an angle. Gaps that look solid close up can still show movement from further away. Look at a sample or similar finished work before deciding, rather than going on photos online alone.
Composite or fibre-cement: what is the difference?
Composite needs almost no repainting but costs more. Fibre-cement is cheaper and can be painted any colour, but needs repainting from time to time. Neither rots or gets termites. If you want low maintenance for a holiday home, go composite; to keep the budget down now, fibre-cement.
Can you install slats I buy myself?
Yes, with a labour-only contract. Rong will tell you the quantity, sizes and screws needed first. If the boards you buy are too thin or already warped, he will point it out before fitting.
I am overseas. Can I get a quote without being there?
You can start the conversation remotely: send clear photos, rough measurements and a location pin on LINE, and photos explain most of the job. Our English-speaking admin replies in English and arranges the free site survey, which a firm price still needs. A property manager, landlord or friend can meet Rong on site for you.
Read this before you build
Hiring a Contractor in Krabi as a Foreigner: A Practical GuideA practical guide for foreigners hiring a contractor in Krabi: comparable quotes, deposits, cash bills vs VAT invoices, warranties and working in English.
Do You Need Permission for a Carport or Extension in Krabi?A cautious general guide to permission for carports and extensions in Krabi: local offices, landlord and village approval, and when to use an engineer.
Labour-Only vs Full Contract for Home Projects in ThailandLabour-only or full contract for a home project in Thailand? Who buys materials, where the savings are real, the risks, and how we handle both options.
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