If your patio needs some privacy or you just want some protection from insects you can build an enclosure screen around it. The following instructions are the way to get this done using common lumber and concrete. Some of the tools you will need are a power saw, one inch wood chisel, paint, a carpenter's pencil, hammer, wood clamps, safety glasses, measuring tape, posthole diggers, screen, screws and washers, and a two to four foot level. This example is for a patio that is level with the ground. One other thing you may need is a permit from the local government. Check before you start because you do not want a fine.



The lumber used is cedar. Cedar is very resistant to the elements. You can buy rough-faced cedar or smooth-faced depending on what look you are trying to achieve. You can use whatever wood you want for this project. The top caps need to be good quality without knots or cracks of any kind. Remember to keep the spacing of the vertical wood at less than four feet. Mark all gas and electric lines before you start to prevent an accident.



1) The first step is to notch the horizontal pieces of wood. These pieces guide the construction of the enclosure. Begin by marking and then notching six inches from one end. Make a gap with a two inch by two inch piece of wood.



2) Use a picket to make the next mark on the horizontal wood. Make a mark then make a space and repeat until you have enough space for nine pickets total. After this, mark the next spot for the next post. Repeat what you did in the sentence before with the pickets and mark the spot for the next post. When you reach the end of the horizontal wood, leave six inches without marks. Cut this horizontal piece to length and then use the power saw to cut the end off at a forty five degree angle.



3) Cut out the notches in the horizontal piece of wood with the wood chisel.



4) Lay another horizontal piece of wood on the ground. You will find out the best place for the screen with this piece of wood. Use stakes to hold it in place when you find the optimum position. From here you will use this piece to mark the postholes. Mark them on the wood where you want the holes. Once you have them on the wood, remove the horizontal wood.



5) Dig the holes for the posts that are going into the ground. They will be three feet deep by eight inches in diameter. Put six inches of gravel into the holes when they are finished.



6) Use two by six inch wood to do this step. Measure the two by six wood and cut them to project six inches above the top of the holes you just dug.



7) Use two by four inch wood to build the actual screen enclosure later, for right now if you want, just cut them to length in preparation for mounting them on a horizontal rail on top of the two by six posts you cut for the holes.



8) Get your level and put the two by six posts into the holes so that they are level vertically. You may need someone to help you with this. With the posts level, pour in the concrete. The concrete can be mixed with water or dry. You can add the water later, and the concrete itself will draw water from the ground and harden around the posts.



9) Now that you have your foundation, you can build upon it. The rest is easy. Use the horizontal rail you had before and attach it to the vertical post holes with screws. This is where you will use the notches you made before in the wood.



10) Use your level again and attach two by fours to the horizontal rails at the marks on the rail. Use wooden blocks to make it more sturdy. If you want you can use a piece of two by four attached to a post hammered into the ground to brace and keep everything level while you work on one side of the wall. Attach the brace to the vertical posts temporarily with screws.



11) Now is a good time to paint the pickets that will be installed vertically. It is probably a good time to paint any other wood also.



12) Install the top caps that will be going horizontally over the top of the pickets. Install them on the vertical two by fours. Install the pickets onto and under these top caps.



13 ) You can install front cedar ( or whatever type of wood you chose ) to make this enclosure sturdier on the opposite side of the pickets. That is, the front cedar is installed on the opposite side of the top caps.



14) Depending on the height of the enclosure, now is the time to install the screen to the upright posts using the screws and washers. Use a strip of wood ( or aluminum ) to make the bottom and tops secure to the horizontal pieces of wood. Top the whole thing off with a horizontal cap of more two by four lumber.



If you want a roof over this, you can use a variety of things such as canvas or more lumber. Some people use painted PVC pipe to install more screen to cover the top. If you paint the PVC, be sure to use a strong paint. If you do not want a roof, then enjoy your newfound privacy with your enclosed patio while you barbeque or have friends over.