Overall I'm really pleased with the space I've created by building the screen. The gap between the house and the new screen is an odd shape. While I get a bit of a sea view from my front patio and my back patio looks out on to my kitchen garden, this new space is definitely a rough diamond, which with a little spit and polish, will sparkle. Even though there are a few things working against it, it's a great location and you know the other hoary old saying when it comes to property - the three golden rules are location, location, location.
Step 1
Clear and mark the boundary. If you are unsure, employ a surveyor to find the boundary for you. Check your local council regulations about boundary heights and talk to your neighbours about what you are planning. If you are lucky, they might even give you a hand.
Step 2
Set up a string line and dig post holes. In most fencing situations my rule of thumb is one third in the ground, two thirds out. Because this is a taller screen fence, I've moved the posts a bit closer together than I normally would and put them 1500mm apart.
Step 3
Using pegs (which you can buy by the packet at Bunnings) and props (I usually use fence palings for props) set the posts to the line and check with a level. I use screws instead of nails to attach the props to the peg, which is driven into the ground and the post. This makes both setting the post correctly to the line and removing the prop from the post once the concrete has set, much easier if you are working alone, plus the screws are reusable.
Step 4
Pour the concrete for the posts re-checking each one with a spirit level as the concrete sets.
Step 5
Paint everything twice, that's posts, rails and slats. I paid my son Jasper to do mine.
Step 6
On the back of the posts set a string line to mark the top of the screen and check that it's level using a string level. I used blocklayers' string line pegs to set the line so I can easily move the line up and down the posts. Mark where the string touches each post using a pencil and set square then cut and nail up a fence rail. To make the fence stronger you can cut the rails to fit in between each post but this is a lot of extra work and because in this case its not a solid fence, it is unnecessary. Repeat this step for each row of rails. I've installed four rows, 500mm apart.
Step 7
Using a string line level, reset the string on the front of the posts mark out each post for the slat.
Step 8
Hang the slat using clamps then mark the end of the slat so it ends right in the middle of a post. My slats spanned approximately five posts. Cut, then hang the slat. If all your slats are all the same length you can set the posts accordingly, which will reduce the amount of cutting needed. The slats should be staggered so they don't all end on the same post. So start at a different end each time.
Step 9
Repeat the previous step, working your way down the posts until the screen is finished.
Step 10
Trim post tops and touch up any exposed timbers with paint.
