Updated: February 2019. Today I am sharing how to build a lattice privacy screen or lattice fence on a budget with my dad. Do you have ugly ac units, trash cans or maybe a neighbor that you can’t stand the site of? Thankfully, we like our neighbors (knock on wood) but we have two large ac units that are at the end of my mom’s patio so we decided to make a simple and inexpensive lattice privacy screen.
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how to build a lattice privacy screen
Last week I posted our patio makeover and showed you how to repair an old cracked cement patio. As I mentioned last week, this happens to be my mom’s outdoor space so we are trying to “beautify” it for her . I cannot believe the amount of emails I received asking for a tutorial on how we built the privacy screen. I had already planned posting a tutorial but your sweet emails made me that much more motivated to get it done quickly!
Lattice Privacy Fence Ideas
I love tutorials that I find online but especially love the visual tutorials, so I decided to create this post using mostly pictures.
My dad thought the solution was to hang the privacy lattice from the gutters above with hooks but the man only thinks in practicality, not in aesthetics. So I showed him some pictures of ideas for privacy on a patio that my mom and I liked in order to get his brain in “design” mode.
He is definitely a person that can duplicate things if he sees a picture. I am the same way.
Image found at Better Homes and Gardens
I love how this lattice privacy fence had a planters box on the top, so pretty!
So lets get started with the tutorial of how you can make your own lattice privacy screen.
DIY Lattice Fence Installation Process
First, paint your “frame” before assembling the lattice. We used 1×4 pine as our frame that I painted white prior to starting the project. We needed to make 3 lattice privacy screens so we started with the 8′ section first.
We purchased plastic/PVC lattice from Home Depot (you can now order online!) OR you can get this Stylish vinyl brand from Lowes (order online!) You will need to use stainless steel screws so they do not rust.
We used 8 x 1 – 5/8″ screws to create the privacy screen and used 10 x 3″ screws to attach the privacy screen to the existing post on the patio.
Next, I painted the 1×4’s before we assembled the privacy screen
Creating a Lattice Panel
You are essentially going to sandwich the lattice screen between your frame creating a lattice panel. Layout your frame (1×4 pine pieces cut to size), place your lattice on top and then add 1×4’s again on top of your lattice.
You will basically be cutting 2 pieces of 1×4’s for each side. 
Use your stainless steel 1 5/8″ (or whatever size you choose) to attach the pine to the lattice. Remember, screw from the “inside” out.
You want the side that you will see to be pretty, you do not want to be looking at screws! Look at my cute dad, he thinks I’m crazy :). 
Don’t be shy with your screws either and be sure to stagger them to prevent them from warping.
Note how we staggered the screws, this is very important according to my daddio! 
How to build a lattice privacy screen on a budget {tutorial}
My dad said in the middle of this project, “why do I want to share all my secrets with these people? I don’t even know them!” hehe. Isn’t he is funny? 🙂 We ended up making 3 privacy screens to hide the air conditioner units so the next one, required cutting. 
We used the same steps to create the other two lattice privacy panels. 
By this time, he is getting annoyed with all my pictures I am taking because I keep stopping and saying, “wait, I need a picture of that!” I really did help, but in between pictures. Of course, I got stuck cleaning everything up. My grandfather is watching out the window giving directions. ha. 
Next, we attached the end pieces to the large 8′ piece using the 3″ screws. We also attached the small part (see below) to the existing post on the patio for stability. 
Lattice Privacy Fence Installation Tips
Note that the screws are facing inward. 
Much better, don’t you think? 
Finally, a beautiful patio with hidden air conditioner units! 
Order Vinyl Fencing ONLINE and GET THE LOOK (click images below to shop my affiliate links)
Ordering online from Lowes or Home Depot makes it easy because you can just arrive and pick it up. So simple!
You can purchase a variety of lattice at Home Depot whether it been wood (that you can paint) or vinyl. The vinyl is maintenance free. For those of you asking about our adirondack chairs, here are a few we love… These are gorgeous from Wayfair, these are great adirondack chairs from Walmart .
Updated: Did you see our Trash Can lattice privacy fence?
Updated Blog Post October 2020 – Are you new here? Meet Jessica and here latest update of the death of her grandparents, surviving divorce and a new marriage proposal!
This cute little garbage can privacy fence is at our campsite and is perfect for trash!
This lattice privacy fence project was such a great addition to our back patio. Total cost = under $40 (cost of lattice, pine for frame & screws). Hopefully after this tutorial you feel a confident and motivated to build your own lattice privacy screen. I found may comments on forums with people asking how to build a lattice privacy screen and it’s really not that hard especially if you have someone to help you.
They come in all sizes so you could always do a smaller version of this one. We also made a privacy screen panel to hide our garbage cans at the campsite. My mom loves that the ugly ac units are hidden and she has a pretty back for her flowers. You can see more of diy our projects and spaces by checking out our interior page. Mission accomplished!
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating says
Your lattice screen looks great! In fact, you whole patio looks amazing!
Jessica says
Thank you Kristi! Hope you are enjoying your summer 🙂
Melissa @TheHappierHomemaker says
Jessica-you just made my day! This is a great project and please thank your Dad for giving away his “secrets” and thank you for giving such a thorough breakdown! We have {ahem} neighbors I could do without seeing and are putting in a pool next week so this project is totally on my to-do list now! Thanks again!
Melissa
Jessica says
Thank you Melissa 🙂 Good luck with those neighbors!
Jaye @ Just Trying to Make Cents of it All says
Wow! First of all, let me just gripe about builders and why they think it’s okay to just plop those horrific (but necessary things) right in the middle of everything!
Second of all – that turned out AWESOME! What a beautiful space you made for your Mom! I’ve seen people butcher “lattice privacy screens” before but you guys did great. Your Dad cracks me up!
On my way over to Sand and Sisal now!
Thanks for the tutorial!
Jessica says
Ha ha , thank you! 🙂
Maury @ Life on Mars says
This looks great! We built a lattice covering for under our house last year and we were not smart enough to buy the pre-painted version. I’m glad you did because that stuff is NO FUN to paint.
Jessica says
No kidding, oh that must have stunk painting it! 🙂
Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says
That patio turned out awesome! And I love this screen! Definitely going to have to get my husband to help me make one for our unit outside!
Jessica says
Thank you Ashley!
Jen says
It looks lovely! Tell your Dad all these people he doesn;t know appreciate him!
Jessica says
Thanks Jen!
Sonia says
Such an attractive patio solution! Your tutorial inspires me to camouflage a heat pump that is located right off the deck. Would you be able to tell how the planters are secured on top? What an attractive and functional idea you and Dad created. Thank you!
Jessica Bruno says
Hi Sonia, you can screw the containers from the inside (of the container) right to the top of your wooden lattice piece. Just use stainless steel screws so they don’t rust. You may want to use those containers that have the water catch at the bottom b/c they usually come off of the bottom of the planter so you could screw the water catch to the top and then place your planter inside. Hope that made sense 🙂
Matt says
Please tell your father I say ” Thank you!” for sharing his secrets. I put together the first of two 8’x6′ screens on Friday and mounted it in place today. It looks great and my neighbor even came out to say so. I’m using them to screen off a small area of the yard where we keep our composters.
Jessica Bruno says
That is great Matt! I will pass it along to my dad 🙂
Deb says
Do you mind me asking about the slats for the lattice? What did you use for them? It doesn’t look like regular 1 x 4’s from here.
thanks in advance.
Jessica Bruno says
Hi Deb, we used 1×4’s for the frame on the lattice. Is that what you are talking about or are you talking about the existing posts on the patio that we attached the lattice frame to?
Deb says
I meant in the lattice itself. The 1×4’s I have seen are thicker, like 3/4″ and I was wondering if those are what you used, or did you use something from the trim section that is thinner.
Thanks in advance.
Jessica Bruno says
Hi Deb! We bought the lattice already assembled in a big 4′ x 8′ sheet. It’s vinyl lattice sheets.
Deb says
Thanks. I see now how you did it.
Kim says
Tell your Dad this was a great find and we really appreciate him sharing! Some daughters don’t have Dad’s nearby for yard makeovers! So we’ll “borrow” yours through the magic of the internet.
Jessica Bruno says
🙂
Corky says
thanks for posting this..and say thanks to DADS too…. he is helping me get my hubby motivated !
Jessica Bruno says
ha thank you! 🙂
Hillary says
Is this just free standing? What keeps it from falling over? Im in Florida and we get some winds that would throw that across the yard! LOL! Just wondering what he attached it to
Jessica Bruno says
No, it’s screwed to one of the existing support posts for the roof. You can see it in the pictures if you look close 🙂 You would definitely need to screw the privacy screen to something to keep it from falling over. It’s big!