How to Cover a Mesh Fence

The trellis mesh is very commonly used for fencing, but this type of fence is too open to prying eyes. Fortunately, you have a few ways to block outside glances. Bamboo blinds are an inexpensive material that creates a high barrier, or you can build wooden blinds yourself to cover the fence. If you love gardening, consider planting bushes along the fence to give your yard the privacy you desire.

Table of Contents

Install bamboo blinds

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Buy bamboo blinds. Bamboo blinds are available online or at some home improvement stores. This bamboo curtain is sold in rolls that you will spread along the fence. This is an effective solution that is much less expensive than buying multiple slats to close wooden blinds or replace the entire fence.

Roll of bamboo blinds cost between 20 and 100 USD.

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Place a board in the ground in front of the fence. Buy a long board at a home improvement store, measuring about 20 cm wide x 5 cm thick. Place the board at one end of the fence. You will use this plank to raise the bamboo blinds. ^{[1] X Research Source}

The plank will create a flat surface that both supports the bamboo curtain and lifts it off the wet ground.

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Spread the bamboo roll out along the fence. Stand the bamboo roll upright on the plank, close to the fence. Hold the bamboo roll steady and spread it to one side. Hold the bamboo roll upright while spreading it out as far as possible. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Spread slowly. Fasten the fence before moving the plank so that the bamboo blinds still stand.

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Tie the wire to the top of the fence at a distance of about 30 cm from each section. Starting at the top of the trellis fence stake, wrap the wire around the bamboo blinds, thread the end of the wire through the bamboo blinds towards the trellis fence. Wrap the end of the wire around the metal rod of the fence to keep the bamboo blinds in place. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can buy packages of lattice wire, or buy 30cm long galvanized wire at a building material store.
You can also use a plastic drawstring. This material is made of plastic so it won’t be very durable, but it is easier to use than steel wire.

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Twist and clip the wire to secure the bamboo blinds to the fence. On the other side of the fence, you will twist the ends of the wire together. You need to use wire cutters to cut off the excess. Then, use pliers to twist the two ends of the steel wire tightly. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Tie another row of wire at the base of the fence. Tie a second row of wire at the bottom of the fence, about 30 cm above the ground. Each knot will align with the knot on the top of the fence and also be spaced 30 cm apart. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Fasten the steel wire with the operation described above. Thus, the bamboo blinds will be firmly tied to the trellis fence.

Planting trees and shrubs

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Measure the length, width and height of the planting area. Measure the planting space in advance to choose the right type of plant. Use a measuring tape along the fence, paying attention to the distance between the fence and nearby structures. Measure the height of the fence to see how tall the plants need to be. ^{[6] X Trusted Source Royal Horticultural Society Go to Source}

Shrubs sold in the US cost about $15 to $60 per bush.
Trees can form a natural “barrier,” but they need weekly maintenance, and can take several years to reach their full size.
You can also grow vines that are similar to shrubs.

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Choose a plant suitable for the growing area. You need to grow plants that meet your needs and where you live. Choose plants based on local temperatures. In addition, you should also consider whether you need to choose a plant that can grow well in the sun, in dry soil or keep its color year-round. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Royal Horticultural Society Go to Source}

For example, you might choose cypress, which is an evergreen and can grow tall in front of a fence.
Deciduous shrubs such as hyacinths or Sharon roses will lose their leaves during the winter, so they will not provide cover throughout the year.

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Divide the distance between planting locations along the fence. Use wooden stakes to mark each planting spot. The distance between each point depends on the space required for the tree to grow. If you leave a reasonable distance, the plants will cover the fence when they reach their maximum size. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

You should leave a distance of 15-20 cm between trees, and 8-10 cm between shrubs.
You can also thread the string from one stake to the other to keep it aligned.

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Dig a planting hole equal to the depth and 3 times the width of the tree’s roots. If you’re using a potted plant, you’ll need to dig a hole as deep as the pot. You can test the pot into the hole to measure the depth, then dig it wide so that the plant has plenty of room to grow roots. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Avoid placing the whole pot in the soil. You need to remove the plant from the pot before planting in the ground so that the roots can spread.
If growing bare-root bushes, you can dig a trench along the fence for ease of planting.

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Place the plant in the hole and cover the roots with soil. Plant each plant in the ground at the location of the previously marked stakes. Place the tree in the center of the hole and cover it with soil just above the base of the tree, i.e. the junction between the trunk and the roots. Compress the soil by gently stepping on the ground to remove air pockets in the soil. ^{[10] X Research Source}

At this time, you do not need to apply fertilizer or additives to the soil. Compost can be spread on the ground after the first year.

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Spread garden mulch around the planting area. Buy organic garden mulch such as pine bark or pine needles from a gardening store. Spread the mulch about 5-8 cm thick. Garden mulch will protect plants from inclement weather and trap moisture in the soil.

Spread garden mulch around the holes you just dug, avoiding the mulch touching the trunk.

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Water the plant immediately after planting, then water once a week. Use a hose to water the soil immediately after planting. Water so that the water reaches the roots of the plant. Spray water into the soil instead of the plant to avoid root rot. ^{[11] X Research Source}

To water your plants regularly, you can place a garden hose nearby and let the water drip into the soil for about 30 minutes.
You can test the moisture in the soil by sticking a stick in the ground. If the soil is moist enough, the stick will penetrate the ground easily without resistance.

Close the wooden blinds covering the fence

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Cut wood into planks to make wooden blinds. You will need 2 cedar boards about 2m long, measuring 2.5cm x 8cm. In addition, you will need 12 more cedar sticks 2m long. You can order wood from home improvement stores and have them cut the wood on demand. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Wood blinds will cost around $50, but you can expect to spend more depending on the materials used.
Depending on the size of the fence, you may need to adjust the size of the slats.
If you are cutting wood yourself, be careful to wear goggles and a mask.
You can also buy wooden blinds at home improvement stores, but they can be quite expensive.

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Attach small wooden slats to a board. Choose a cedar plank to make the top of the wooden blinds, lay flat on the ground. Place 2 smaller wooden slats vertically on the plank so that the ends of the plank protrude 10 cm. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Small wooden slats will attach to the fence and hold the wooden blinds in place.

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Nail the slats to the side planks. Carefully turn the planks over so that the slats are on top of the side boards. Place the slats at right angles, making sure they align with the top slats. Then you’ll drive steel nails through the slats to each side plank. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Remember to position the side boards so that they are even; otherwise, the wooden slats will not be straight when mounted on the fence.

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Place the bottom wooden bar on the side planks. Repeat this step by selecting another wooden stick to make the bottom bar. This time, you need to put the wooden chain on top, about 0.7 cm from the ends of the two side boards. Use 2 nails to drive the wooden stick into the planks. ^{[16] X Research Source}

The bottom slat will be higher than the top of the boards so it doesn’t touch the damp soil.

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Place the remaining wooden slats evenly spaced and nail them in place. The remaining cedar slats will form the wooden blinds. Measure the distance between the top bar and the bottom bar. Place the cedar bar in the middle of the two so that it is perpendicular and nail it in place. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Make sure the edges of the slats are aligned. Don’t let some slats stick out longer than others.

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Use rope to tie the wooden blinds to the fence. Lift the wooden blinds off the ground and place them where you want them to hang on the fence. Use rope or rope to tie the wooden blinds to the top bar of the trellis fence. Use extra wire to tie the bottom rod of the wooden blinds to the fence. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Adjust the wooden blinds so that they are as close to the fence as possible. If the wood blinds are not straight, your measurements are probably incorrect.

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Mark the locations of the hose retaining straps that attach to the side planks. The pipe retainer is an accessory used to secure the wooden blinds to the trellis fence. These straps will be on the side planks, attached to the top metal bar of the lattice fence. You can hold the straps holding the tube against the board to estimate alignment. Use a pencil to mark the locations of the pins that will go through the board into the pipe holder. ^{[19] X Research Source}

You can buy hose clamps at home improvement stores. You will need 2 straps to attach the wooden blinds.

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Drill holes at the previously marked points. Remove the rope or rope that is holding the wooden blinds close to the fence. Lower the wood blinds to the ground, and use an electric drill and ¼ inch (0.64 cm) drill tip to drill through the side planks and slats. ^{[20] X Research Source}

Each hose holder attaches to the board at 2 points, so you have to drill a total of 4 holes.
Wear goggles and other protective clothing while drilling.

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Attach the hose retainer to the wooden blinds and fence. Reinsert the tube retaining belt to the side plank. Attach the top end of the hose holder with the 5 cm pin. Lift up the wooden blinds, attach the hose retainers to the top bar of the trellis, then secure the lower ends with the other 2 pegs. ^{[21] X Research Source}

Twist washers and knobs on top of each dowel to hold the wooden blinds in place.
If it’s a long fence, you’ll repeat this process to add more wooden blinds.

Advice

If the soil in the yard has good drainage, you can plant shrubs. Choose a plant that grows well in your area.
Self-made wooden blinds will be cheaper than those sold at the store.
A wooden fence fence is easy to repair, as you only need to remove the damaged wooden slats.
You can stain wood blinds to increase durability when used outdoors and paint for a beautiful look.

Warning

Some areas have regulations on fence decoration. You should see these regulations to avoid trouble.
Power tools can be dangerous, so you should always wear goggles and use other protective equipment when working.

Things you need

Install bamboo blinds

Roll of bamboo blinds
Wooden plank
Wire
Steel wire cutting pliers
Pliers

Planting trees and shrubs

Tree
Shovel
Water tap
Organic garden mulch
Tree pruning pliers
Garden Gloves
Wood piles
Wire
Tape measure

Close and hang wooden blinds

2 cedar boards measuring 2.5 cm × 8 cm and 2 m long
12 cedar slats 2 m long
2 4 cm . hose holders
50 steel nails
4 pins size 5 cm
4 knobs and washers
Drill
Drill bit inch
Hammer
Right angle ruler
Pencil
Rope or elastic rope

Steps

Install bamboo blinds

Planting trees and shrubs

Close the wooden blinds covering the fence

Advice

Warning

Things you need

Install bamboo blinds

Planting trees and shrubs

Close and hang wooden blinds

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