Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO BUILD A TIMBER BIN SCREEN
If you live in the suburbs, then chances are you’ve got a multitude of large, ugly wheelie bins spoiling the look of your home. While getting rid of the bins isn’t an option, you can hide them by building a simple screen.
For you to note
Before assembly, the frame timber is undercoated and painted black.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Lay out posts and framing timber on ground. Place top rail over all 3 posts, bottom rail between posts and uprights between the rails placed centrally between posts. Predrill then screw frame together using 100mm batten screws.
STEP 2 Lift frame up in position leaving about 1m space for bins. Mark positions of posts on ground. Use old chisel or bar to pry up pavers where posts will go. Use post-hole digger to dig holes 600mm deep.
STEP 3 Insert posts into holes and prop under bottom rails with offcuts of rail timber. Ensure top of frame is level, packing under frame if needed.
STEP 4 Mix concrete in bucket or wheelbarrow and pour into holes. Use stick or rod to force concrete down so it completely encases posts. Leave enough room above concrete for paver to fit back in place. Make sure post is plumb. Brace if required until concrete sets. Cut paver to fit around post, using angle grinder fitted with stone-cutting blade, and put back in place.
STEP 5 To create timbers of varying width for screen, use circular saw with fence attachment to cut boards along their lengths. Cut 140mm wide boards into three 30mm-wide strips and 90mm boards in half to create 42mm-strips. Use router with rounding-over bit to round cut edges to match original boards. Also sand cut edges smooth.
STEP 6 Cut boards to length so they are 60mm longer than frame. Hold one board against frame so ends overhang frame equally. Mark centres of posts and uprights of frame on this board.
STEP 7 Lay out strips of decking along bench so ends are all flush. Place 30mm-wide boards cut in Step 5 on edge to add extra depth to screen. Put board marked in Step 6 at one side of this bunch. Use a square to transfer marks on this board to rest of the bunch.
STEP 8 Use countersinking bit to drill holes for screws and countersink for heads at the same time. Drill 2 holes for wide boards and 1 in centre of narrow boards.
STEP 9 Place first board against screen frame flush with edge of bottom rail so ends overhang equally. Screw through holes in board into frame using decking screws. Continue laying boards on frame with plastic packers between them. Vary widths of boards as you go up frame as well as gaps between to create random look. Make boards overhang top of frame by 19mm.
STEP 10 Screw 90mm-wide board to top of frame as a capping piece.
STEP 11 Use sander to quickly sand face of screen to remove pencil marks. Remove dust, then apply 2 coats of decking oil following product instructions.