Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO BUILD A HIGH PRIVACY SCREEN
Sometimes that back wall is not high enough to screen out the neighbours’ windows and doors. And if you can see them, they can see you! Solution? Lift a wall with a simple screen.
Gather your supplies
• Posts 90 x 90mm x 3.6m H4 treated pine
• Frame 70 x 45mm H3 treated pine
• Decking 86 x 19mm spotted gum
You’ll also need
Post hole digger/ pincer; spirit level; wheelbarrow; concrete mix; circular saw; drill; countersinking bit; 100 and 125mm galvanised batten screws; clamps; square; pencil; sander fitted with fine grit paper; decking oil in spotted gum; paintbrush; 50mm decking screws; 4mm plastic spacer
For you to note
• Paint posts and frame with 2 coats of black exterior paint prior to installation.
Here’s how
STEP 1 Use post hole digger/pincer to dig 800mm deep holes for posts.
STEP 2 Sit posts in hole. Use spirit level to make plumb. Mix concrete in wheelbarrow, pour in hole and let set. Make sure tops of posts are level; trim with circular saw if not.
STEP 3 Use 70 x 45mm pine to build a simple stud frame to span entire width of posts. Make frame height 355mm and include a length of timber on edge on inside bottom of frame to help stiffen it. Space studs evenly along frame, not over 700mm apart. Notch studs so they fit over timber on edge. Predrill with countersinking drill bit and screw frame together with 100mm batten screws.
STEP 4 Hold frame against posts flush with top, make level and clamp. Predrill with countersinking drill bit and screw frame to posts using 125mm batten screws.
STEP 5 Cut decking boards to width of frame, with any joins occurring over a stud. Lightly mark centre of studs across boards then screw holes 20mm from each edge along this line. Predrill with countersinking bit.
STEP 6 Sand boards to smooth, remove dust, apply 2 coats oil and allow to dry for 3 hours between coats.
STEP 7 Attach straightest board to frame flush with bottom. Predrill through holes in boards and screw together with deck screws.
STEP 8 Continue attaching boards to frame, using 4mm spacer for an even gap. If any boards are bowed, pull straight with a clamp before drilling and screwing.
FOR SHOPPING DETAILS AND PROJECT SUPPLIES, SEE OUR STOCKISTS PAGE