Build privacy screens for the garden yourself

Privacy fences are subject to building regulations

Before the start of the construction work, please contact the local building authority. The creation of enclosures is subject to different requirements in the individual federal states. These do not only concern the height and the distance to the neighboring property. In some regions, certain materials or a maximum height are required for a fence.

Material and tool list

Competent providers of fence elements as privacy screens have various planning aids ready to determine the exact number of elements. Since most of the modules cannot be shortened at a later date, a detailed, true-to-scale sketch is essential. In addition to the fence elements, the following tools and materials are required for construction:

• spade
• hammer
• Cordless screwdriver
• Trowel
• ratchet
• plummet
• Folding rule and pencil
• Mason's cord or tape measure
• Spirit level
• Hexagon bolts (M10 x 110 mm)
• Washers and nuts
• Post anchor
• Sticky notes
• Precast concrete
• Wooden slats
• Wood glaze with the Blue Angel
• paint brush

If a privacy screen element is attached to a house wall, you will need additional wall anchors to attach the corner posts.

Preparatory work - this is how you keep your bearings

Mark the exact course of the privacy fence with the help of a taut masonry cord from corner post to corner post of each fence element. If the privacy screen runs over a corner, align the course with the help of a construction bracket. Along the stretched cord, mark the positions of the posts with sticky notes. If you hang the plumb bob on a sticky note, you will know exactly where to dig the hole for the post anchor.

Insert posts for fence elements - this is how it works

After you have determined the positions for the corner posts of the fence elements, it is best to dig all the pits in one operation. How to do it right:

• Use the shovel to dig 80 cm deep holes for a frost-free concrete foundation
• Use the cordless screwdriver to pre-drill holes in the posts for the hexagonal screws of the post anchors
• Screw the post and anchor together
• Positions of Fittings Measure and mark on the post
• Attach fittings to all posts in one go

As a rule, at least 4 fittings per post are required to fix the fence elements later. To prevent the wood from cracking, please pre-drill each screw hole.

Attach fence elements - you should pay attention to this

So that large fence elements for privacy protection do not kink, support the lower edges with stacked stones. We recommend a second man as a helping hand during this process. Use wooden wedges to straighten each module. How to proceed:

• Place the pre-assembled posts in the pit and align them straight
• Check at the top and bottom of the fence element that the edge runs in a straight line on the post
• Screw the fence modules to the pre-installed fittings

The challenge in this work step is to give the posts that have not yet been concreted in enough stability that you can screw the fence elements onto them. Stack bricks on two sides of a post. Now push a sturdy wooden slat through the post anchor so that it rests on the surfaces of the stones. If there is still a lack of stability, insert wedges on the right and left in between.

Setting Corner Posts in Concrete - Here's How To Do It Right

Temporarily support the privacy screen with wooden slats. Do not be satisfied with the alignment until the spirit level confirms a vertical adjustment. Now pour precast concrete or screed concrete into the post holes. Do this in layers by pouring concrete and water in alternately. Use the trowel to smooth the surface.

Wood glaze protects against the weather

To prevent your new wooden privacy screen from weathering, paint the fence with wood stain in the last step. We recommend a product with the Blue Angel. This certificate confirms that there are no harmful ingredients such as plasticizers and similar chemicals.

What to do on sloping terrain

If you determine in the course of planning and dimensioning that your garden has a slight slope, you can determine the area straighten. With the help of taut lines and a plumb bob, you can determine the height difference. You then match this with Topsoil gradually until the spirit level indicates a flat surface.

A steeper gradient requires a different approach if you are building a privacy screen in the garden yourself. Under these circumstances, a stair-like installation has proven itself well in practice. The posts are shortened precisely at the lower end. It is important to note that a post located downhill at the top is always flush with the uphill fence element.