How to build a lattice privacy screen on a budget with my dad

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.

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!

Source

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 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!  

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.

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.

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!