Woven Outdoor Privacy Screen

Using a shovel or post-hole digger, dig 8-inch-diameter holes to the depth shown on the project diagrams.

Mix bags of concrete following the manufacturer’s instructions and fill the corner hole with the concrete. Once that hole is filled, position the post in the center of the hole and check the post for level.

Continue mixing and setting the two outside terminal posts. Double-check the distances between posts at the tops and bottoms using a 10-foot board as a spacer. Run a string between the terminal posts to assist setting the middle line posts between the terminal posts in a straight line.

Allow the concrete to set overnight before proceeding. In the morning, remove the string, stakes, and excess dirt from the area.

Mark the slats to drill holes for the connecting hardware. At each end post, the hole is centered on the width of the board and 1-1/4 inches from the end. At the ends where two sections meet, offset the holes so that the bands can be mounted to the ends of two slats without overlapping on the post (Project Diagram, Drawing 2).

Lightly sand the cedar boards, and apply an exterior stain/sealer of your choice. We alternated several colors of Olympic stain: Dark Ash, Wenge, Cape Sand, Steely Sea, and Waterhouse.

Install the second slat the same as the first, but on the other side of the center line post from the bottom slat. Connect to the terminal posts with tension bands. Repeat for the next few slats alternating the weaving pattern around the center line post. After attaching five slats, check to be sure they are level and drive screws through the tension bands to set them permanently. Continue up the post for 20 total rows.

Install the second section in the same manner as the first. With all of the slats installed, the top of the post may need to be trimmed. If so, cut the posts to 1-1/2 inches above the top edge of the top slat using a hacksaw or a reciprocating saw.