How to Install a Tennis Windscreen
Windscreens are a functional and aesthetic addition to your tennis courts. When installed properly, they can reduce environmental debris from settling on the court, improve gameplay by cutting crosswinds, and provide privacy for courts in public areas.
If you have not yet purchased windscreens for your court, check out our helpful guide on what to look for when choosing a tennis windscreen.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to install your windscreen
1. Nine foot windscreens are hung from the top of the chain link fence. The usual fence height is 10 feet, which allows for one foot of air space at the bottom. Six-foot windscreens, if used, are placed in the center of the chain link fence or two feet from the top.
2. Hang the windscreens so that the seams and hems are toward the fence leaving the smooth side facing the court.
3. All grommets must be used to secure the windscreens to the fence.
4. First fasten one vertical edge at the desired height to the fence using regular (50-lb. breaking strength) Ty-raps.
5. Next fasten the top of the windscreen to the fence, keeping the top straight by following the chain link pattern. Use either regular Ty-raps or, if the windscreen will be rolled to the top during high winds, Wilson snap hooks or heavy-duty 120-lb. breaking strength Ty-raps*.
6. Next fasten the remaining sides of windscreen to the fence with regular Ty-raps.
7. Finally, fasten the bottom with regular Ty-raps or, if the windscreen will be rolled to the bottom during high winds, with Wilson snap hooks or heavy-duty 120-lb. breaking strength Ty-raps.
8. In the case of Mastershade, there are no grommets, but Ty-raps should be placed every 12". For best results, we recommend the top and bottom edges be folded over about 1" and Ty-raps put in the middle of this double section. If you don't fold edges, make sure Ty-raps are put in the large vertical area, about 1" in from the edge.
9. When anti-billowing center tape is used, fasten it after top and bottom are attached using regular, 50-lb. breaking strength Ty-raps through each grommet.
10. When high winds are expected, cut away the regular Ty-raps that you have used for the sides, center tape and either the top or the bottom of the windscreen. Then roll the windscreen up or down to where the Wilson snap hooks or heavy-duty Ty-raps are attached and tie it up using 14" long Ty-raps to help prevent wind damage.
11. In climates that get freezing temperatures, high winds and snow, we recommend that windscreens be taken down for the winter months and re-hung in the spring. If windscreens are left on the fences during the winter, in these areas, they must be at least rolled up or down and secured. If windscreens are not rolled or removed, all warrantees are null and void. There is also a strong chance that the winter winds will cause your cyclone fencing to bend. * We recommend using heavy-duty Ty-Raps or snap hooks to secure either the top or the bottom of the windscreen so that it can be rolled up or down towards this secured end during high winds. We also suggest using our 14" long Ty-raps when securing the rolled-up windscreen to the fence.
How to Measure Main Fences
- You should begin taking measurements at a terminal (corner) post and continue to the next terminal post. Do not hold the measuring tape up to the fence. This will create slack which could cause your measurements to be inaccurate.
- Measure the windscreen length from inside tension bar to inside tension bar. You may disregard line posts unless they are on the court side of the fence. For ease of handling, try to keep an individual curtain under 60 feet.
- Measure the height of the windscreen from the bottom of the top rail to the top of the bottom rail. Keep in mind that windscreen is generally installed one or more feet from the top and bottom of the fence.
- Mark each measurement on a diagram of each court. Send a copy of this diagram to us when you place your order so that each windscreen will be properly labeled when it is shipped to you. Also be sure to tag each panel before you remove your windscreen for storage each year.
- Exact measurements are necessary (including feet and inches). Do not guess or round off dimensions. No two fences are identical.
How to Measure Gates and Transoms
- The width of the gate should be measured from inside tension bar to inside tension bar. The height of the gate should be measured from the bottom of the top rail to the top of the bottom rail. Keep in mind that windscreen is generally installed one or more feet from the bottom of the fence.
- The width of the transom should be measured from inside tension bar to inside tension bar. The height should be measured from the bottom of the top rail to the top of the rail that's over the gate opening.
Do It Tennis offers several different tennis court windscreens from which to choose. You will find a wider selection of related products in our Tennis Court Equipment category.
