Pre-made screen panels were used to create privacy for a backyard entertaining area with pergola.
The project
I wanted a bit of privacy after getting the new pergola installed and was struggling with how to fill the four-metre gaps between the steel posts.
I saw that Bunnings Workshop community member funksoulbro1 used steel studs and track in their Alfresco extension so I decided to also use steel as a framing solution.
This is my first D.I.Y. project and I absolutely loved it. I have no trade experience, just handy with a table saw, drop saw and drill. The result didn't turn out too bad.
Tools and materials
Tools and materials used:
Steps
The old privacy screen was a quick solution to give both sides of the fence some privacy when the pergola first went up. It was a simple solution using Screen Up joiner posts and Merbau that would later be recycled in the final permanent screen.
I put the first steel track in place on the horizontal rafter. As I was doing this by myself, I found the G Clamp worked well as a second set of hands to hold things in place. Here is the temporary screen.
I decided to use white button head screws as they contrast better against the Merbau and tie in rather well with the white pergola frame. The blue painted ply backing for the screen panel is also a good contrast.
We were tossing up between green, yellow or blue and as you can see blue won in the end. Here, I have yet to oil the Merbau, but the screens have been oiled.
The corrugated steel and polycarbonate roofing was from the old pergola and recycled here to provide some weather protection on the external wall.
Lessons learned
Lessons learned:
- Measure twice - cut once
- Always wear gloves when building with steel - it's sharp
- Studs are easy to cut with a pair of straight cut aviation snips
- Table saw with metal cutting blade is handy for cutting corrugated steel but not all table saws are designed to cut steel
- Make sure the frame is straight and level.
Thanks for reading and I hope this gives some of you inspiration, just like funksoulbro1's Alfresco extension did for me.
