How to build a free standing privacy screen?

RenoRaine

I'm a beginner woodworker, although I did a furniture making course last year. For my first solo project, I'm thinking of making free standing privacy screens for my balcony.

I've never planned out a project before and am not sure how ordering pre-cut timber works. Can anyone provide some tips please? 

JacobZ

Hi @RenoRaine,

The screen you have linked to is made of timber similar to 42 x 42mm Merbau Batten. I'd suggest this would be a good option for your project. To build the feet, you could use three pieces of 90 x 19mm Merbau to make what is essentially a clamp.

You will have to define some dimensions for your screen, in terms of height and width. 

Our in-store cutting service can be used to cut the battens to the nearest 100mm, so if you base your design on these measurements, then you could have your timber cut in store. If timber needs to be cut to more precise measurements, then you will have to do it yourself.

Once you have a width defined, you will be able to work out how many vertical battens you need, and you can adjust the spacing between them to fit the width as well as possible.

If you could advise me on some measurements, I am happy to knock up a simple design for you, or you might like to give it a try yourself. I use SketchUp, which is a free 3D rendering software that is fantastic for things like this. I often find drawing things up in SketchUp really makes me think about and understand the project in a way that helps me make improvements and notice challenges that I might come across.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob