How to Build a Patio Privacy Screen

Having an open patio can leave a lot to be desired privacy wise.  This is where a patio privacy screen will come in handy.  A patio privacy screen surrounds the patio providing privacy from onlookers or neighbors that live too close for comfort. 

Sitting outside on a nice private deck can be very comforting and relaxing. However, neighbors that live close by may take away from the privacy aspect of the patio. If its privacy that is wanted simply build a patio privacy screen. Building experience is not necessary for this easy project. A patio privacy screen can be built in one weekend by taking the following steps.

1. Access your patio. Think about where the neighbors are located. Keep in mind trees that will grow and other outdoor issues. Other trees that are growing may help to give privacy in the future. Trees are a great source of privacy and help to keep things a little cooler on hot days.


2. Use four inch by four-inch posts in the ground for supporting the patio privacy screen. Before placing the posts in the ground, decide where they will go and mark the locations for them to be placed. It is important to measure the distance from the middle of where each post will be placed.


3. Prepare the ground for the posts to go in by digging holes for the posts. The holes must be eighteen to twenty four inches deep.


4. Fill the holes with concrete. Mix ready-mix concrete for the holes. A general usage concrete mix is fine to use with this.


5. Set the poles into ground in the holes that have been filled with concrete. The post tops should all be around 6 and 1/2 feet above the ground level if placed in the concrete in the hole correctly. They should be even looking. If the ground slopes, adjust the levels slightly for the posts. Check the posts with a level to see if they are all straight. If any are not straight, fix them and then allow for the concrete to set for twenty four hours.


6. Measure from the top of posts down to the ground. Then take and subtract six inches off of the length. This is for the lattice screens. A lattice screen will come only in a standard four by eight foot size. The eight-foot length will have to be cut down some.


7. Hammer the lattice screens onto the posts. Each screen edge will need to be equal to the middle point. The top edge must be even with the top of the post.


8. Nail or screw on strips of one by four inch strips of boards over the nails that are in the poles. This is to keep the edges of the screens from being warped, which will ruin the appearance.