How to Install a Privacy Screen for a Deck

Even without plants growing on them, trellises can provide privacy.

Decks are fun places to laze around in the summertime. You can get fresh air while reading, cooking, eating, socializing or taking a dip in the hot tub. Because decks are elevated, they are also eye-catching and often the center of neighbors; and passerbys' attention. This is problematic if you want to hang out in your swimsuit without being under the scrutiny of the neighborhood. One way to increase your privacy is to install privacy screens between you and your neighbors.

Things You'll Need

• Wood trellises
• Measuring tape
• Saw
• Deck screws
• Drill with Phillip's head bit
• 1-by-12-inch boards

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the side of the deck. You will install the trellises outside of the deck rail to block the view of your neighbors. Select trellises that match the color of your deck. The trellises can be plastic or wooden.

2. Line up the trellises across the side of the deck you want to obscure from view. Determine if you will need to use boards to bridge the trellises, or if the trellises will fill a whole side evenly. Divide the length of the side by the width of the trellises, typically 42 inches. If your deck side is 7 feet wide, you will not need a bridge board.

3. Position the trellises on the outside of the deck railing. Have an assistant hold the trellises in place while you screw through the frame of the trellis and into the top rail of the deck rail with 3-inch deck screws. Secure both sides of the trellis to the rail.

4. Toenail the bottom of the trellis into the deck. Secure the second trellis next to the first to finish your privacy screen.

5. If your deck is too wide for the two trellises to block the whole side, add a bridge board between the two trellises to extend the width of the privacy screen. If your fence is 8 feet wide, cut a 1-by-12-inch board as high as your trellis. Screw the board into the frame of the trellises, extending their coverage by 10 inches.

Tips & Warnings

• Toenailing involves inserting a screw or nail into the side of a board near the adjoining surface at a 30-degree angle so that the screw goes through the board and into the surface below it.

• Instead of securing the trellises to the outside of the deck fence, turn them sideways, cut off their legs and secure the trellis to the top of the deck rail for a different look.

• If you can't find trellises that match the color of your deck, paint them before installing them on your deck.

• Tie back loose clothing and hair before operating power equipment.

• Wear safety goggles when using power equipment.

References

• OSHA: Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Workers from Amputations