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DIY lattice fence questions

last year

We live on a large corner lot and want to build a 6’ large square lattice fence to enclose part of the backyard for some privacy and to keep in our dog. Cedar is too pricey so I’m thinking of ripping pressure treated line to build the lattice panels that would then need to be painted or stained. Will building this way work? What’s the long-term maintenance going to look like? (We’ve had vinyl before and I don’t want to go that route.

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Comments (6)

klem1
last year
last modified: last year
Commonly available treated lumber is low quality reject material that warps after installation.
PRO
GN Builders L.L.C
last year
You can get a pressure-treated lattice, it will be much cheaper and last a long time without warping.
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Comments (16)
Annette! Yes, Yes! This is just what I have in mind! Thanks so much for sharing. Well my lattice house planned for one spot suddenly changed locations today! I found a great place under the lilac TREE!!! Trust me it is way past the bush stage! While moving the left over foundation rocks I decided that would be a great spot for it. I've been laying the flat ones on the ground and stacking the others along the side and will do that along 3 sides a couple of feet high, that will solve what to do with the rocks and give me a really neat lattice house with a rock bottom! How cool is that? I can't wait to see your pix and I will post some of the befores if anyone wants to see the progress. I need to know what fines to grow that will love the shade. It will bet a bit of morning sun and a bit late in the afternoon but mostly it is tucked between the lilac tree and some birches.
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Interested in do-it-yourself vertical structures!
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Comments (28)
I use those 4' orange electic fence stakes from home depot (about $1 a piece)for lots of things in the yard & gardens. Pound it in the ground and then slide the PVC pipe over it and into the soil a bit. Set out several of these with holes drilled in the PVC pipe and string wire through them to make a fairly sturdy, portable & cheap trellis. I use these stakes to build easy fencing. I use plastic cable ties to secure wire or plastic mesh fencing to them. Because I dislike the orange and it stands out like a sore thumb, I paint my stakes black. Pound 2 rows of these stakes in the ground about 4' apart and slide each end of a flexible PVC pipe over them, making an arch. Cover this with garden cloth or plastic to protect plants. I "sew" the fabric to the pvc with fishing line. If you are using plastic, cut some flaps in it, to keep it from blowing away in a big wind. I use them to brace non secured retaining walls. At my old house I built a raised bed using them to hold the lumber together. I drilled holes in the timbers and slid them over the stakes, then I lined the interior side with heavy plastic.
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Pool landscape gurus...help with ugly pool fence!
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Comments (8)
If you like the view back there and aren't concerned with privacy across the back since there is plantings already doing some coverage, I would put wrought iron or something to that effect across the back. Tie it into a wood privacy fencing on the sidelot lines. We have wood fencing 6' high around the perimeter of our yard for privacy and then have the pool area split with a 4' wrought iron type fencing to give us a play area for the rug rat yet be able to view all the landscaping and pool section from either side. Personally I think a 4' wood fence would look odd. I can dig up some pictures if you are interested.
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Tell me what you think about.....lattice
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Comments (4)
Only a personal opinion, but it just looks too phony, not just the lattice product, but all vinyl type products such as windows, and composites such as decking. That's only becuase I'm old school wood. Problem is that means maintenance and it seems these days with people being busier and wanting less to do with projects around the home, the less/no maintenance the better. I would assume that's the opinion of the majority, so it could very well be a good thing for you. Why are they selling out?
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
" Commonly available treated lumber is low quality reject material that warps after installation. "

That's not true at all!! Pressure treated wood comes in a variety of grades and suggested usages.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
last year
last modified: last year
" One of the main concerns with using pressure-treated lumber is that it contains chemicals that can be harmful to humans and pets."

That is rather outdated information and has not been the case since 2004, when the EPA banned the old formulations (CCA - chromated copper arsenate) for pressure treated lumber. There certainly may be structures extant that contain old pressure treated wood but anything you can purchase now has been treated with chemicals considered safe for use in virtually any situation, including raised garden beds, lawn furniture, decks and fencing, kids' playground structures and dog houses or pet structures.

Almost any wooden structure exposed to weather is recommended to be constructed from pressure treated wood to ensure longevity and ALL current types of pressure treated wood or PT wood products are considered to be completely safe for any residential use. This is very easy to validate from virtually any online source.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
last year
You've got to make sure whatever you build doesn't sag. Your last picture looks worrisome with the top and bottom rails on the flat.
J. .
Original Author
last year
Joseph Corlett, LLC What would you suggest? I looked at a plan on This Old House and it is constructed the same way. Would a 6 x 6 panel be less likely to sag?

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