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 |
Comments
Damn that is Heafty... Look's quite nice... I was going to ask about the lag screws splitting the 2x4 but got my answer a few pics later... Can't wait to come visit and test out the back yard. Is some sort of hammock next on the list?
Posted by: Sparky | May 19, 2008 06:15 PM
Thanks - yeah, I was not pleased about the splitting of the 2x4.
Actually, the steps leads up to where we hang the hammock.
Definitely need to come down and check it out.
Posted by: cwp | May 19, 2008 09:42 PM