Privacy screens are a great way to obstruct the view of trash cans, neighbors, utility meters, or any other eye sore. Additionally, building a Privacy screen is an easy DIY project that can be accomplished by the average homeowner.
To build a privacy screen, start by digging post holes with a post hole digger. Next, install vertical posts using concrete to secure the posts in place. Install horizontal privacy slats with screws, using a spacer and a level to make sure the gap between each horizontal slat is uniform. Finally, install post caps on the tops of your vertical posts.
This article will show you how to build a privacy screen, step-by-step. Each step is documented with pictures from my own personal DIY Privacy Screen Project. Additionally, if you are more of a visual learner, you can watch my DIY Privacy Screen / Trash can Screen Youtube Video, which is linked at the end of this article.
1. Plan Out Your PrIvacy Screen Layout and Materials List
The first step in every successful DIY Privacy Screen project starts with planning. Before beginning your privacy screen project, spend some time planning out your privacy screen layout. A few things to consider are:
- Size of your privacy screen (the larger the privacy screen, the more vertical posts you will need)
- Orientation of your privacy screen
- Materials of construction
For my DIY Privacy screen, I went with an “L” shaped orientation that tied in to my existing fence. See below:
For this “L” shaped design, you will need three vertical mounting posts and multiple horizontal privacy slats. Obviously, everyone’s privacy screen will be slightly different, so spend the time thinking about how your DIY privacy screen will look in your yard.
Next, it’s time to purchase the tools and materials you’ll need for your DIY Privacy Screen project. See below for a general list of tools and materials that will be needed for most privacy screen projects:
Tools:
- Post level
- Tape Measure
- Level
- Exterior Screws (2.5″-3″)
- Pocket Hole Jig (Optional)
- Exterior Nails
- Hammer
- Paint Brush
- Post hole digger
- Shovel
Materials:
- 4″x4″x8′ Vertical Posts (Pressure Treated or Cedar)
- 2″x6″ Horizontal Fence Rails (Pressure Treated or Cedar)
- Gravel (57 stone, RCA, etc.)
- Concrete
- Post Caps
Again, your specific privacy fence project may utilize different materials and tools than those listed above. However, this list is generally applicable for most privacy screen projects.
Once you have planned your privacy screen layout and purchased your tools and materials, you can begin building your DIY privacy screen.
2. Dig Your Post Holes
With your privacy screen post locations marked (in accordance with your layout plan), you can begin the post excavation process. Use a manual post hole digger or a mechanical auger to dig your post holes.
Dig your privacy screen post holes to accommodate your desired screen height. To determine your excavation depth, consider the following.
- Post Holes should be filled with approximately 2″-4″ of gravel to facilitate drainage beneath the posts.
- Posts should be located beneath the frost line in your area. If you do not excavate deep enough, your privacy screen posts are likely to “heave” during freeze and thaw cycles.
- Coordinate your post hole depth based on your desired privacy screen height.
For example, if I was building a privacy screen in Georgia (5″ frost depth) and had a desired privacy screen height of 6 feet, I would excavate approximately 27″ below grade. This would account for 3″ of gravel and 24″ of the vertical post below grade – leaving 6′ above grade.
Keep in mind that you want to have at least 2 feet of your post below grade (2.5′ is even better). If you don’t bury your vertical privacy screen posts deep enough, your privacy screen may lack rigidity and strength.
Once all of your vertical post holes have been dug to their approximate depth, add gravel (2″-4″) to the hole until your desired post height above grade is achieved.
Continue to add/remove gravel to your post holes to get the appropriate vertical post height for each post in your privacy screen installation. To ensure that your privacy screen posts are at the exact same height, use a level.
3. Install Your Vertical Privacy Screen Posts
After adding gravel to your privacy screen post holes and establishing the correct height for each of your posts, you can can begin permanently installing your vertical privacy screen posts by adding concrete to the annular space in the post holes.
First, position your posts on top of the gravel within your post hole. Next, add concrete.
There are two methods for adding concrete to your post holes:
- Mix up concrete in a Wheelbarrow, Concrete Mixer, Bucket, etc. according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and then add the mixed concrete to the post hole (recommended).
- Add dry concrete mix to the post hole and then add water once the post and concrete are already in the post hole.
Mixing the concrete before adding it to your Privacy Screen post hole is the recommended concrete application procedure.
When adding concrete to your privacy screen post holes, it is often helpful to have a second person hold the post in the center of the hole while you are adding concrete. Obviously, the post should be positioned in the center of the hole with concrete all around it.
PRO TIP: The concrete surface should be slightly sloped away from the post – this will help to prevent premature water damage to your vertical posts. In other words, ensure that the surface of the concrete is not concave towards the wooden post.
After adding concrete to your vertical post holes, ensure that the post is centered within the post hole and use a post level to verify that the post is perfectly level and plumb.
Depending on the consistency of your concrete, you may need to brace your posts to prevent them from moving while the concrete cures.
If desired, it is a good idea to paint or stain your vertical privacy screen posts at this stage (once the concrete has cured).
4. Install Horizontal Privacy Screen Slats
Once the concrete around your privacy screen posts has fully cured, you can begin the installation of your horizontal slats. For my horizontal privacy screen slats, I used 2″x6″ pressure treated lumber.
Measure the distance between your vertical posts and cut your horizontal slats to size. Ensure that the slats fit snuggly between the two vertical posts.
After confirming that the horizontal slat fits properly between the Privacy screen vertical posts, it is recommended that you use a pocket hole jig to pre drill holes in your horizontal slats.
You could also use a countersink bit (on an angle) to achieve similar results to a pocket hole jig. However, the results will not be quite as consistent. After pre drilling your pocket hole screw holes in your horizontal slat, it’s time to attach the horizontal slat to the vertical posts with exterior rated screws – starting at the bottom.
After establishing the height at which the bottom horizontal privacy screen slat will be installed (typically 6″ above the ground), ensure that it is perfectly level.
After confirming that the bottom horizontal slat is level, attach the slat to the vertical posts using exterior rated screws – drilling through the pocket holes in the slat and into the vertical post.
For our privacy screen project, we positioned the horizontal slats so that they were perfectly flush with the front of the vertical posts. See below:
After installing both of your bottom horizontal privacy screen slats, confirm that they are level with each other.
PRO TIP: The bottom horizontal privacy screen slats will serve as the basis for all of the subsequent slats. Therefore, it is imperative that these slats are perfectly level. Make any adjustments necessary at this stage to ensure a perfectly level installation
After mounting the bottom horizontal privacy screen slats, use spacers between the slats and continue the slat installation process. For my privacy screen, I used 5/8″ fence pickets as my slat spacers.
Continue to install horizontal privacy screen slats in this manner until all of the slats have been installed.
Once all of your horizontal privacy screen slats have been installed between your vertical posts, your privacy screen project is nearly complete.
5. Install Post Caps
The final step in your DIY Privacy Screen Project is to install post caps on top of your vertical posts.
In addition to being a waterproof barrier on top of your vertical posts, post caps also improve the visual appeal of most privacy screens – giving them a more finished look. Once your post caps have been installed on each of your vertical posts, your DIY Privacy Screen Project is Complete.
If you are more of a visual learner, you can watch how I completed every step of the DIY Privacy Screen project on Youtube!
Additionally, you can learn how I built the Fence around this Privacy Screen by checking out my “How to Build a Fence Gate” Youtube Video linked here.
Thanks so much for checking out ATImprovements! If you learned something from this project, you might also like these other DIY Projects:
- How to Build a Fence: How to Build a Fence (DIY Guide) – AT Improvements
- How to Build a Fence Gate: How to Build a Fence Gate (7 Steps with Pictures & Video) – AT Improvements
- How to Install a DIY deck Wire Railing: DIY Cable Railing – How to Install Cable Railing Step-by-Step – (atimprovements.com)
- How to Build a Concrete Paver Patio: DIY PAVER PATIO – Easy DIY Paver Patio Ideas – (atimprovements.com)
Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: This is a reference guide only. Links included in this article might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting ATimprovements so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!