How to build a bamboo screen

A tropical background of your own. Photo / Richard Robinson

Justin Newcombe gives a how-to guide to building your own bamboo screen.

Step 1

Set up a stringline, which runs a foot or so past where the fence will start and finish. This gives a flat plane against which to set the posts.

Step 2

Dig the holes for the end two posts. I used 2.4m posts and my fence is 1.8m high, so the post holes were 600mm deep. Use extra strength, quick-set concrete to set the posts - it's easy to mix and handle.

Step 3

Set a stringline at the top of the end two posts to help you set the rest of the posts at the correct height. I used a stringline level to make sure the top of the fence was even.

Step 4

Mark out and dig the holes for the rest of the posts. Place each post in the ground and set at the right height.

If you have a helper and use quick set concrete you can set your posts without bracing them, but if you are working alone it's best to brace them first.

Step 5

Once the concrete has set, mark out and nail up the rails. I fixed these to the front of the posts instead of setting them inside each post. This meant a lot less time was spent cutting and nailing.

A quick grip clamp is handy if you're building your fence alone.

Step 6

The bamboo screen is quite thin so before I attached it I stapled weed mat to the posts and rails to use as a background.

Step 7

Roll out the bamboo screen and nail it up with fencing staples.

Use a level to make sure that the bamboo canes are reasonably straight.

Step 8

Nail a capping along the top of the fence (I used 50 x 100mm pine) and then frame the screen with a small profile trim (I used 20 x 50mm) pine.

Step 9

Stain all the timber and the bamboo twice.