Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - vinyl lattice
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tebe
05-02-05, 11:13 AM
I want to attaced a 2' high or so vinyl privacy lattice on top of my exsisting deck rail. The deck rail is standard 2x6 all the way around. My real concern is 1) will it be sturdy enough and 2) installation . I thought of using a router on 'top' of rail and insert lattice or to attach to back or outside of rail with screws. Also, how far apart should support pieces be and do I have to cut into sections and slide into support or can I screw right into lattice and and support strip. Thank you for any suggestions.
tebe
tebe
XSleeper
05-02-05, 01:47 PM
I think that I'd make this privacy "fence" seperately, and screw it down to the top of the deck's 2x6 handrail. My suggestion would be to purchase some cedar 2x4's and router your notch in them. Not only would the cedar be easier to router, but the whole thing could be made in modular pieces which would be easy to make and install, and all of it could be easily removed someday without ruining your handrail.
Cut your vinyl lattice into 2' x 8' pieces, and put the notched 2x4's around them like a picture frame. Then you can just set these sections on top of the handrail and screw them down. You will probably have to cut some 2x2's and install them vertically to keep the whole thing from spreading in the middle, and to keep the vinyl from flexing in the wind. The only thing that would make this very secure is if the deck is small with lots of corners, because that stuff is going to want to blow over.
Also, if someone thought it was sturdy, (like handrails are supposed to be) and leaned against it, they could go right over. Making the thing safe and secure looks like the real challenge. I think we'd need to see a picture of the handrail to make any specific suggestions in that regard.
In order to make it secure, my first thought would be to cut a 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 hole in your handrail so that you could drop in and sister a 2x4 along each of your handrail posts (which I'm assuming might be 4x4's?) so that it extends up 2' above the handrail. If you did that, it would probably be easier to forget the modular idea, and cap those 2x4's you sistered with a 2x4, and then just hold the lattice in place with some 2x2 "stops" on each side of the lattice.
Cut your vinyl lattice into 2' x 8' pieces, and put the notched 2x4's around them like a picture frame. Then you can just set these sections on top of the handrail and screw them down. You will probably have to cut some 2x2's and install them vertically to keep the whole thing from spreading in the middle, and to keep the vinyl from flexing in the wind. The only thing that would make this very secure is if the deck is small with lots of corners, because that stuff is going to want to blow over.
Also, if someone thought it was sturdy, (like handrails are supposed to be) and leaned against it, they could go right over. Making the thing safe and secure looks like the real challenge. I think we'd need to see a picture of the handrail to make any specific suggestions in that regard.
In order to make it secure, my first thought would be to cut a 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 hole in your handrail so that you could drop in and sister a 2x4 along each of your handrail posts (which I'm assuming might be 4x4's?) so that it extends up 2' above the handrail. If you did that, it would probably be easier to forget the modular idea, and cap those 2x4's you sistered with a 2x4, and then just hold the lattice in place with some 2x2 "stops" on each side of the lattice.