Part 3 of 3 of Landscaping the Backyard: Privacy Trellis
We finally got a approval from our HOA to build the privacy trellis (it only took them 1 month!). This project was going to be the most labor intensive and challenging one. To complete this project, I would have to:
- Pick up: 30 1x5/4x8 treated deck wood, 2 4x4x10 treated wood, 2 2x4x12 treated wood, and 2 lbs of deck screws
- Dig a 12 foot trench, 18 inches deep, and 2 30 inch deep holes for the posts
- Assemble the trellis and make the planks angled
- Recruit people to help me move the trellis the proper location
- Secure the trellis
Work began on Thursday evening when I went and purchased the materials. I then started Friday late afternoon, assembling the trellis and digging the trench. I worked all Saturday morning to complete the trellis assembly and finish the trench hole. I was able to walk around my neighborhood and recruited 6 people to help me haul the trellis to the back and place in the trench (it was a beast to move!).
All in all, the project was a great success. I'm really happy with the final product, even happier still that it's done! My body is physically exhausted from all the work I had put in to finish this in one and half days.
Some lessons learned (really more reminders to myself):
- Measure Twice, Cut Once. We hear it all the time, but have to remind ourselves to do this. The end posts were 3 inches shorter than wanted them to be because I did not take into account the 2x4 horizontal framing.
- Counter Sink, Then Drill. You'll see on the first set of counter sinks, I made a mess of it because I drilled the holes first, so the guide was bouncing everywhere when I tried to drill the countersink.
- Not all planks are created equal. You'll see in the pics what I mean here.
- Don't Assume. I had a certain method by which I was putting the angle on the board. I assumed that same method would work when I secured the other side. Not so much. I ended up being about an inch off by the time I got to the 10th board. I had redo them.
Enjoy the pics!
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| 2008.04.12 - Privacy Trellis |
