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How to screen a rubbish bin

Hide your motley row of wheelie bins behind a stylish spotted gum screen. - by Charlie Albone
  • 15 Apr 2022

We all have those trouble spots in our gardens that we’ve tried to do something with but have ended up just looking drab and uninspiring. Charlie’s here to show you that a complete renovation isn’t always the best answer. A few simple, but smart options like screening off unsightly rubbish bins, a garden bed to hide a plain wall and some funky planters and you’ve got a whole new garden that will entice you back outside more often than you imagined.

Read on for the full step-by-step guide.

Get the full garden makeover here.

Rubbish bins

Before: an unsightly view of rubbish bins

Rubbish bin screen

After: a refreshed beauty spot

Sue Ferris

Gather your supplies

  • 90 x 90mm x 2.4m H4 treated pine
  • Quick-set concrete
  • 90 x 45mm H3 treated pine
  • 86 x 19mm spotted gum decking

You'll also need

  • Tape measure
  • Marking out paint
  • Shovel
  • Stringline
  • Spirit level
  • Drill
  • 20mm spade bit
  • 8mm drill bit
  • 8mm masonry drill bit
  • Blue wall plug
  • 125mm galvanised batten screws
  • 50 x 50 x 40mm galvanised angle brackets
  • 50mm decking screws
  • Black exterior paint
  • Painting gear
  • Decking oil
  • 5mm plastic packers

Here’s how

Step 1

Digging a hole

Step 1

Measure then mark positions of 90mm pine posts for screen, using marking out paint. Space posts evenly a maximum of 1.5m apart. Use shovel to dig 600mm-deep post holes.

Step 2

How to screen rubbish bin

Step 2

Insert posts in holes and set up a stringline just touching post backs to mark line of screen up to brick wall where it ends. Use spirit level to make plumb, then concrete in posts, ensuring their tops are level.

Step 3

Cut a post to sit on wall. Mark position for screws on top, middle and base of post, ensuring they coincide with the centre of a brick. Use a 20mm bit to drill 30mm deep counter- sinking holes, then an 8mm bit to drill through the centre of holes all the way through.

Step 4

Hold post in position on wall and drill through the holes with an 8mm masonry drill bit to mark wall. Remove post and drill 80mm deep holes in the wall. 

Step 5

How to screen rubbish bin step 5

Step 5

Insert blue wall plug into each hole and cut off flush with the bricks.

Step 6

Screw holes into posts

Step 6

Sue Ferris

Position post on the wall and screw through post holes into blue plug with 125mm batten screws.

Step 7

Rubbish bin screen drilling

Step 7

Sue Ferris

Cut 3 rails from 90 x 45mm pine to fit between posts. Screw brackets to base edges, position rails and check for level, then join to posts using 50mm screws. 

Step 8

Apply 2 coats black paint to posts and rails, leaving to dry after each coat.

Step 9

Cut decking to length for palings. Apply a coat of decking oil to back, front and edges of boards so they are fully sealed. Let dry.

Step 10

Step 10 how to screen rubbish bin

Step 10

Sue Ferris

Step 10

Position boards on frame so tops are level with post tops and they are plumb. Predrill and screw though boards into posts using 50mm decking screws. Screw boards to frame using 5mm plastic packers for even gaps. 

Step 11

Apply decking oil to one paling at a time to avoid unsightly lap marks. 

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Charlie Albone
Charlie Albone
Charlie has worked internationally and in Australia for the past 17 years, designing and building gardens that are timeless, inspiring and enjoyable to spend time in. In 2015 and 2016, he was awarded two Silver gilt medals for his own gardens at the world’s most prestigious flower show The Chelsea Flower Show.

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