How to Make an Outdoor Privacy Screen

Enjoy your own backyard oasis with a privacy screen.

It is often said that good fences make good neighbors, especially if your neighbors have yards that are not quite up to par. If you want to keep as much of the outside world away from your yard, you may want to consider building a privacy screen. A privacy screen shields your yard from outside view and keeps the view from your own property looking nice. Also, you can grow climbing flowers on the lattice of your privacy screen, adding color to your backyard landscape.

Things You'll Need

• 4 boards, 6 foot long 2x4s
• 4 boards, 8 foot long 2x4s
• Wooden lattice, 8 feet by 4 feet
• 8 flat "L" brackets
• 5 clay pots, 12 to 14 inches tall
• Water
• Potting soil
• Climbing plants
• Staple gun with staples
• Drill with 3/16-inch and screwdriver bit
• 3 inch wood screws
• Level
• Concrete mix
• Wheelbarrow
• Shovel

Instructions

1. Place two 6 foot 2x4 boards on a flat surface so they are parallel and resting on their 4 inch sides. Measure 2 feet from one of the ends of each 2x4 and make a mark on each board. Place a piece of 8 foot 2x4 between the two pieces at that mark. Place another piece of 8 foot 2x4 between the pieces of 6 foot 2x4 so that the 2 inch side is even with the top edges of the 6 foot pieces. You will have made a 4 foot by 8 foot rectangle with 2 foot "legs."

2. Place an "L" bracket on each corner of the frame and screw it into the frame with the 3 inch wood screws. This will attach all of the pieces of the first frame.

3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to build a second frame.

4. Place the 8 foot by 4 foot piece of lattice over one of the frames so it covers the opening. Staple the lattice to the frame around the perimeter. To ensure a secure fit, use at least one staple for every other weave attached to the frame, if not one on each strip of lattice.

5. Place the second frame on top of the frame with the lattice. Line up the edges. Drill pilot holes through the 4 inch edge of the frame approximately 6 to 12 inches apart. Place wood screws into the holes and screw them in to fasten the two sides of the frame together.

6. Place the concrete mix in the wheelbarrow and add water according to the mix's instructions. Mix with the shovel until the concrete has the consistency of wet mud. Fill two of the clay pots halfway with the wet concrete. Place one leg of the screen frame into each pot and use the level to make sure it is vertical. Adjust the fence in the concrete as necessary. Allow the concrete to dry overnight.

7. Use potting soil to fill the remaining space on top of the concrete in those two pots. Fill the three empty pots completely with potting soil. Plant some climbing flowers and vines in all the pots. Place the three pots without concrete under the fence so that the plants eventually can cover the fence with their growth.

References

• The Budget Fashionista: Create a Privacy Fence