A bare Heras fence does a decent job of keeping people out, but it doesn’t stop them looking in. A site full of tools, machinery and materials is basically a shop window to a potential thief.
Heras fence covers won’t turn your site into Fort Knox, but they do take away the opportunity for thieves to look into your site as they walk past.
Read on to find out how they help and which material gives you the most privacy.
Covered on the left, a free look at the tools on the right.
Jump to:
- Why does privacy matter?
- How do Heras fence covers help with site security?
- What fence covers can’t do
- Which Heras fence cover material is best for security?
- FAQs
- Ready to make your site less tempting?
Why does privacy matter?
Theft costs the UK construction industry at least £800 million a year, according to industry estimates (BauWatch Construction Crime Index 2024). In a 2023 survey of 500 tradespeople, 92% said they or someone they know had been a victim of theft (NFU Mutual).
Almost a quarter (23%) of the tradespeople surveyed had been hit by organised crime in the past year. These are people who scout a site first, working out what’s there and when it goes quiet. A bare Heras fence hands them both answers for free.
It’s worse in winter. It’s dark by 4pm, sites empty early and crews are thin over Christmas. So the view through your fence matters most when there’s nobody around to notice who’s looking.
How do Heras fence covers help with site security?
1. Out of sight, out of mind
Most tool theft is opportunistic. Someone walks past, sees a generator or a pile of copper pipe, and comes back later. Cover the fence and there’s nothing to see, so there’s nothing to come back for.
2. They make it harder to case the site
Organised thieves want to know what’s there, where it’s kept, where the cameras point and when the site goes quiet. A covered fence makes all of that a lot harder to work out from the pavement.
3. A tidy site looks like a watched site
A site with branded, well-fitted covers looks organised and looked after. Thieves tend to go for the easy option, and a site that looks well managed doesn’t seem so easy.
It passes on to your workers, too. Those on a professional-looking site are more likely to keep it that way, and less likely to leave tools lying about at the end of the day.
4. Tell them what they’re up against
Your covers are a massive noticeboard. Messages like “CCTV in operation”, “24/7 monitored site” or “No tools left on site overnight” tell a would-be thief it isn’t worth the bother.
You can print Heras fence covers with your own custom design, or go for our ready-made site safety Heras fence covers. We also do construction site safety signs if you need extra signage around gates and cabins.
5. Give neighbours a number to call
Make it easy for people to report anything suspicious out of hours by adding your phone number to your covers.
A tidy site with a clear warning. Not the easy target.
What fence covers can’t do
Let’s be honest, a fence cover won’t stop someone who wants to break into your site. They don’t make the fence harder to climb or cut, and all our covers are mesh, so they’re not 100% see-through-proof either.
Think of covers as one layer of security, alongside things like:
- Locking tools away or taking them home
- CCTV and decent lighting
- Making sure your fencing is set up and secured properly
- Keeping track of what’s on site and marking your tools
Covers make your site less tempting. The rest makes it harder to get into. For more security ideas, see our 7 tips to prevent tool theft.
Which Heras fence cover material is best for security?
All three of our materials are mesh, so you’ll always get a bit of see-through. Mesh lets the wind pass through, which keeps your fencing standing. A solid cover would block the view completely, but it would also act like a sail. (More on that in our guide to the best Heras fence covers for windy sites.)
Even with a bit of see-through, any cover is a big step up from a bare fence.
| Material | Privacy | Weave | Air permeability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite (Polyester Mesh) | Most private | Tightest weave, smallest holes | 52% |
| PVC Mesh | In between | Medium holes | 37% |
| Airmesh | Most see-through | Largest holes | 54% |
How see-through a cover is comes down to the weave and hole size, not the air permeability figure. Lighting makes a difference too. Covers are easier to see through when there’s light behind them, like site lighting at night.
Elite: best for security
Elite Heras fence covers have the tightest weave and smallest holes of the lot, so they give you the most privacy. If keeping your site out of view is the main goal, these are the best choice.
Elite covers. Our tightest weave, so there’s not much to see.
PVC Mesh: a solid middle ground
PVC Mesh Heras fence covers sit between the other two on see-through. A sensible pick if you want decent screening on a budget.
PVC Mesh. Sun behind it, and still not much to see.
Airmesh: lightest option, least privacy
Airmesh Heras fence covers have the biggest holes, so they’re the most see-through. Great for air permeability, but not the first choice if privacy is the priority.
Airmesh is our most open weave, but still a decent screen.
If price is a bigger factor, have a look at our guide to Heras fence covers for your budget. For the full picture beyond security, read our all-round guide to construction site covers.
Not sure? We’ll send you free material samples so you can see the difference for yourself before you order. Just email info@monster-mesh.co.uk
Heras fence covers for security: FAQs
Do Heras fence covers stop theft?
Not on their own. They reduce the risk by hiding what’s on site, which puts off opportunist thieves and makes planning harder for organised ones. Use them alongside locks, CCTV, lighting etc.
Can you see through Heras fence covers?
A little, yes. All our covers are mesh, so they let wind through. Elite has the tightest weave and is the hardest to see through. How much you can see also depends on the light.
Which Heras fence cover is the most private?
Elite. It has the tightest weave of our three materials.
Why not use a solid cover for total privacy?
Because a solid cover catches the wind like a sail, which puts a lot of strain on your fencing. Mesh is the safer option outdoors.
Can I put security messages on my covers?
Yes, you can add messages like “CCTV in operation” or a phone number for reporting anything suspicious out of hours. We offer free design and artwork support should you need it.
Won’t covers make people think there’s something worth hiding?
Covers are so common on sites now that they don’t stand out. A bare fence with a van-load of kit on show stands out a lot more.
Ready to make your site less tempting?
Get an instant price on our Heras fence covers, or drop us a line and we’ll help you pick the right material for your site. Want to see the difference first? Email info@monster-mesh.co.uk for free samples.