Brent Wilson
Don’t let a dilapidated old fence let down the front of your house!
Installing a slatted hardwood screen is an easy way to improve safety and security as well as bring the natural beauty of fresh timber to your property. You can add on to an existing brick wall or build a standalone screen (see over the page). Need a gate? Knock it together in no time from a kit – all you have to do is assemble, oil and admire!
Here’s how:
Predrill using countersinking bit and screw to frame using decking screws.
FOR YOU TO NOTE
To make screws less of a feature, use trim head screws, which have narrower heads.
STEP 10
Continue laying boards on top of first board, using 10mm plastic packers between them to create an even gap. Join boards over studs of frame.
STEP 11
Place capping on top of frame so front edge is flush with boards on face. Predrill and screw capping
to frame. Make screws on top line up with screws on the face. At ends of fence, overhang capping by 19mm then run a board down sides of frame.
STEP 12
Use jigsaw to cut boards to create a hole to suit size of your letterbox. Use offcuts of frame timber to support ends of cut boards and to attach letterbox to. Insert letterbox into hole and screw to supports.
STEP 13
Apply deck cleaner to all screen boards to remove tannins.
Leave for 20 minutes then wash off with a pressure washer. Let dry.
STEP 14
Apply 2 coats of natural decking oil to all timber, allowing to dry after each coat.
Put up the standalone screen
STEP 15
To make a freestanding screen, set out positions for posts. Space posts evenly, not exceeding 750mm apart. Dig holes 700mm deep using a post-hole digger. Place post at end of fence in hole, make plumb and set in position with quick-set concrete and leave to set. Repeat for post at other end of fence. Make sure all posts are longer than required so they can be cut to the correct level later.
STEP 16
Stretch stringlines between end posts at top and bottom of post. Position other posts between these so they line up with stringlines and are plumb. Concrete in position. Leave to set.
STEP 17
Transfer level of boards on fence to posts of screen. Measure down from this point to find position of bottom board on screen.
STEP 18
Position board at bottom of screen so it overhangs end posts and make level. So screws will be in a straight line when screen is finished, tack boards on using a nail gun first. Continue laying boards up screen, using 10mm packers between them to create an even gap. Prior to fixing final boards, cut off top of posts so they will be level with top of screen.
STEP 19
Use spirit level to lightly draw a plumb line up boards at each post. Predrill and screw boards into posts with decking screws.
STEP 20
Use power saw to cut ends of boards so they are flush with side of end posts.
STEP 21
Screw capping to top and sides of screen, except on side of post where gate will go.
STEP 22
Repeat Steps 13 and 14 to clean and oil decking.
Assemble the gate
STEP 23
Select size and width of gate frame kit to suit your situation. Assemble gate frame following product instructions.
STEP 24
Cut boards for gate to length. Predrill and countersink ends of boards for screws.
STEP 25
Place boards on gate frame. Use 30mm metal screws to attach boards to gate. Use 10mm plastic packers to space boards to match adjacent screen.
STEP 26
Attach hinges to gate post and lift gate to sit on hinges. Attach gate latch to gate and post.
STEP 27
To create a stopper for gate that will sit on post, cut a board down its length to fit between face of boards on gate and face of boards on adjacent screen. Nail this into side of post.
STEP 28
Repeat Steps 13 and 14 to clean and oil decking.
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