creative shower project

A decorative screen

For your eyes only

Create instant privacy around an outdoor shower – or anywhere it’s needed – with a DIY screen

Aprivacy screen is a practical finishing touch for an outdoor shower, but this one is pretty enough to sit anywhere in the garden, as a sculptural element, as well as to protect from prying eyes. Using the Matrix screens with its post kit makes this a simple build, plus it’s light on maintenance – the UV-resistant plastic material won’t rust or deteriorate, and is lightweight but strong.

Tip

C-channel frame kits now come in a range of colours to add more style to your screen

Before

Above: This alfresco zone was great for rinsing off sand after a beach dip, but was rather exposed to the rest of the garden

TOOLS & MATERIALS

 Safety gear (gloves, mask and eye and ear protection)  Drill with driver bit  3mm, 5mm and 12mm drill bits  8mm hex head bit  Tape measure and felt-tip pen  Narrow post shovel  Level  Wheelbarrow  Measuring jug  Garden hose or watering can  Small trowel  Quick-grip clamps  Two decorative screens  Matrix slimline framing kit (or use a C-channel frame kit with 40mm self-drilling screws)  Screen installation pack with screws and brackets  Three Matrix 2500mm galvanised steel posts in Charcoal  Gravel or road base  Ready-mix concrete (we used one 20kg bag per post) 2m-long timber offcut 1Set the screens out on a flat surface to assemble the slimline frames around them. Push the top of the frame against the top of the screen and use a 3mm bit to drill a hole through the centre of the frame and screen, stopping before piercing the front of the frame. Secure with the supplied screw. If using a C-channel kit, follow the maker’s instructions to fit the screen in the frame with the supplied pins. 2Slide on the frame sides, with the ends overlapping the top. On each, mark the centre, 300mm from the top and 300mm from the base, then use a 5mm bit to drill right through. Remove the sides and use a 12mm bit to drill through the screen holes only to create larger holes for expansion. Tip: The 12mm holes allow for the screen to expand and contract with temperature changes.

EXPERT TIP

The term ‘check for plumb’ means ensuring a post is straight vertically and square to the ground. Position a level down all four sides of these posts – the bubble in the vial should be perfectly centred each time

Your DIY toolkit

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1 Matrix ‘Orbit’ 1800mm x 900mm x 7mm screen panel in Off White, $99, I/N: 0227892†. 2 Dingo hi-strength concrete, $12/20kg, I/N: 0760378. 3 Matrix 1815mm x 915mm x 28mm C-channel frame kit in Charcoal, $39.90, I/N: 3041120. 4 Kincrome 8mm hex bit drive socket, $12.95, I/N: 6110893. 5 Whites 3-5mm landscaping stone fine pebbles, $14.98/10kg, I/N: 3452481. Some products are not available at all Bunnings stores, but may be ordered.

3Remove the protective film from all parts of the frame before reinstalling the sides. Position the base overlapping the sides, drill through the centre with a 3mm bit, stopping before piercing the front of the frame. Secure with the supplied screw. Tip: Use a felt-tip pen to mark out the holes. hole with a narrow post shovel to 700mm deep. Dry-fit the post using a level to check for plumb. Check the centre of the second post, measuring 905mm between the outside of the brackets. Repeat digging and checking the remaining post holes. the ground in front of the holes. At the filled hole, check for plumb and clamp to the offcut. Repeat mixing, pouring concrete and clamping each post, leaving to cure for at least 24 hours. Tip: Clamping onto the offcut keeps the posts upright and prevents them from sinking. 4Brackets are attached to galvanised posts to hold the screen bases. To install them, mark 1780mm from the top of each post. Position the bracket with the holes over the mark and drill with a 3mm bit. Secure with supplied self-drilling screws. Tip: Position brackets flush with the inside of the posts for each

5To sink the posts, dig the first screen, with two for the centre post.

6Wearing a mask, open a bag of concrete in a wheelbarrow, add two litres of water and use a shovel to mix thoroughly. Add an 80mm layer of gravel to the base of each hole, lightly soak with water, add 20mm of concrete and reinstall the posts. Shovel the concrete around the posts, using a trowel to

7Position a 2m-long offcut on compact and remove air bubbles.

8Position the screens in the brackets, then lift to be flush with the top of the posts and clamp to hold. Drill into the posts through the holes in the frame sides with a 5mm bit, securing the supplied screws using an 8mm hex head bit and avoiding over-tightening. Tip: Lifting the frames off the bottom of the brackets before securing allows space for expansion. ◆

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