What to Know Before You Decide
A single standard retractable privacy screen can be made up to 19 ft 2 in wide and 14 ft high. An extra-wide system reaches 22 ft 10 in. Clear vinyl screens are smaller, at up to 10 ft wide and 10 ft 4 in high. Openings wider than one screen are divided into screens side by side, and those can be set to move together.
These figures come from the manufacturer's 2026 specifications for the roll-up screen systems we install. Every screen is made to measure, so these are limits to plan around, not standard sizes.
What are the maximum sizes?
Width is measured across the screen including its side channels. Height is the drop below the housing. The right system for an opening also depends on the mounting surface, so we confirm it at the measurement visit.
| System | Maximum width | Maximum height |
|---|---|---|
| Standard screen | 19 ft 2 in (5.84 m) | 14 ft (4.26 m) |
| Extra-wide screen | 22 ft 10 in (6.96 m) | 14 ft (4.26 m) |
| Clear vinyl screen | 10 ft (3.04 m) | 10 ft 4 in (3.14 m) |
What if my opening is wider than that?
It is divided into separate screens side by side. On a pergola or covered patio the posts usually decide where the breaks go, so each bay gets its own screen and nothing looks added on.
Separate screens do not have to be operated separately. With Somfy motors they can be grouped, so one button lowers a whole side or the whole structure, and each screen can still be run on its own when you only want one down.
Does the fabric change the limit?
Yes, in two ways. First, PanoramaFR clear vinyl has its own, smaller limit of 10 ft by 10 ft 4 in, and the extra-wide system is not offered with Soltis Proof 502.
Second, fabric comes in rolls of a fixed width. A screen that is both wider and taller than the roll needs a horizontal seam. The seam is placed where it is least noticeable, away from eye level, and screens installed side by side are ordered with their seams at the same height. This table shows how tall a wide screen can be before a seam is needed.
| Fabric | Tallest wide screen without a seam |
|---|---|
| TuffScreen | 9 ft 10 in |
| SunTex 90 | 9 ft 10 in |
| SunTex 95 | 10 ft 4 in |
| SheerWeave 4800 | 9 ft 10 in |
| Soltis Proof 502 | 5 ft 8 in |
How much space does the housing need?
The screen rolls up into an aluminium panel box about 5 inches square, mounted above the opening. The extra-wide system uses a slightly larger box, just under 6 inches. The side channels and bottom bar match the box in one of five standard colours: white, beige, brown, black, or silver.
Do bigger screens handle wind?
The fabric is held in the side channels along its full height, which is what keeps a large screen from pulling out. How much wind a screen can take depends on its size, how open the fabric is, and how it is mounted: an open mesh lets wind pass through, while a solid sheet takes the full load. The manufacturer puts the upper limit for the system at 100 mph in the best case. It also says not to count on that: a wide screen catches a lot of wind, screens should be raised in high winds, and wind damage is not covered by the warranty.
For that reason a wind sensor is recommended on any motorized screen wider than 12 ft. It raises the screen automatically when the wind picks up. Our guide to privacy screens and wind covers how much each fabric blocks.
How should I measure before asking for a quote?
Rough numbers are enough to start. Openings are rarely perfectly square, so measure each one in three places:
- Width at the top, the middle, and the bottom.
- Height at the left, the middle, and the right.
- What the screen would mount to: a beam, a header, a wall, or posts.
- Whether there is power nearby for a motor.