How to secure privacy screen to patio?

Question

Hi Team,

Our patio was screened with some plants which was not to our liking and we are thinking of using privacy screens like Matrix ones, I am not sure how to secure them to our patio. Thank you for the assistance

EricL · Answer

Hello @NiVi

Another option for a quick privacy cover is to use

https://www.bunnings.com.au/coolaroo-1-83m-wide-graphite-heavy-duty-screening-shade-cloth-70-uv-block-p-mtr_p3300405

along with

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/grunt-4mm-x-20m-black-multi-purpose-rope_p4310576

and

https://www.bunnings.com.au/coolaroo-32-x-80mm-black-shadecloth-accessory-butterfly-clips-20-pack_p3301479

.

The basic setup is to tie the rope at the top around your posts tightly from one end to the other. Then tie another one at the bottom with a conservative gap of 2 meters between the top and bottom rope. The next step is to clip the top corner of the shade cloth with the butterfly clip and attach it to the rope (see sample image). I suggest placing a gap of 300mm per clip, when the top is complete do the same thing at the bottom. You should now have adequate cover and privacy for your patio.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

NiVi · Answer

I should have mentioned that I am really new to diy when it comes to anything building with wood..is there any other options thats easy to diy ? I am open to options using any other way too. Not fixed on using just matrix screens. Just need some privacy on the patio thats it. Thanks

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @NiVi,

I think a timber frame like the one shown below would work well in your situation and would make installing Matrix panels much easier.

You could build the frame from 90 x 45mm treated pine, fixing the top rail into the patio beam and the side rails into the existing posts. I'd also include a bottom rail to keep everything square and provide support for the panels. Once the frame is in place, the Matrix panels can be screwed to the inside face of the frame, leaving the timber framing on the outside. This gives you a much cleaner look from under the patio while still providing plenty of fixing points.

I would suggest it's best to make the frame entirely self-supporting and then tie it into the verandah frame, rather than attaching to the posts and having them bear all the weight. Your verandah posts are designed to support the roof structure and not an additional frame and Matrix panels.

I've put together a quick AI-rendering below to illustrate the concept. It should give you an idea of how the framing could work.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell