Hi,
I’m planning on making a series of lattice panels to screen parts of my yard. They will likely be 8′ wide by 8′ high. I plan on using 4×4 posts for the sides so that I can sink them into the ground for stability (in concrete).
Does it make sense to make the entire frame out of 4×4, then put in the prefab lattice (two sheets, vertically, with a seam in the middle)? Is that overkill? I am going to make four of these screens. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael
Replies
Latice is very very bendy, and wood in concrete can be very very rotty. A pretty setup today might look like a funhouse in 5 years.
The latice will need a full frame (all 4 sides) to give it a little structure. Are you using synthetic or wood latice?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
account for expansion/contraction
account for wind load/movement
don't want lattice to come apart
can't tell how you plan to connect things together
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter WFR
"But when you're a kibbutzer and have no responsibility to decide the facts and apply the law, you can reach any conclusion you want because it doesn't matter." SHG
I wouldn't try to do 8x8 panels with prefab lattice. Even 4x8 is iffy. Stick in some 2x4 mullions or some such.
In most parts of the country a 4x4 in concrete is an invitation to rot.
It does seem likely that the 4x4 would rot pretty quickly. Should I be pouring footings and attaching the posts with anchors like a deck footing?I was going to use the pre-fab lattice to save some time. Any other ideas would be welcome.Thanks.
In some soil conditions the best choice is to backfill with crushed rock. Using post anchors isn't really practical for a fence.
What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite. --Bertrand Russell
Instead of concrete. you could use the metal posts bases that you hammer into the ground and attach 4x4 to the top of. They are about $15 IIRC. You can make them prettier at the top by covering them with wood attached to the 4x4.
Here is a pic of my use of lattice for a Jewish holiday structure called a Sukkah. It's only up for about 10 days a year, so I hang the synthetic latice on the sides with zip ties. The overhead redwood lattice has a frame of 1x1 redwood for support and durability.
View Image
View ImageRebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
Those metal bases driven in the ground are designed for mailbox posts. They would not begin to stand up to any wind with that much lattice surface.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Well, they did well when I used them on my fences back in Illinois - including the ones that were big pre-fab ceder panels (6'x8' IIRC). The long ones go 36" into the ground.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
I don't know about where you are, but we can get lattice in about five different materials and qualities premade.
But for an 8x8, you will still have trouble getting things to line up neatly at the joint. Just for appearance, I prefer to make my own using strips nailed to a frame with dabs of glue also.
For posts, use cedar or PT ground contact, and put some stone at the bottom of the hole for water to drain into down there, then compact the soil tight around the post.
Run a 2x4 top and bottom rail with a 1x2 nailer for the lattice on those and on the posts - a 2x4 at the center seam if you use premade.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Posts in concrete shouldn't pose a problem with rot as long as the top of the crete is above ground. It's ground contact, with the constant moisture, that causes rot. Also, use good quality treated lumber, such as Wolmanized. The cheap junk they sell at most big box stores will shrink, twist, crack and rot a whole lot faster.
I know someone here will surely correct me about using Wolmanized, saying you should use #60 (?) for ground contact. They will have my attention too, as I'm just a little ignorant on that issue.
Make sure to get good quality lattice as well. The cheaper stuff is thinner and not treated as well. Better qualiyt lattice uses 1/2" thick strips while some of the cheaper stuff uses 3/8" or thinner. Better stuff is also more thorougly treated and will be green in appearance.
--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.net
See some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com