Screen to hide a hot water system

[ProjectPete]

Pre-made screens can be used to quickly and easily hide unsightly items like hot water systems in your backyard for a low cost. 

• The project
• Before and after
• Tips
• More screening ideas

The project

This is a quick job to tick off on a weekend - installing screening with a creeping plant to hide hot water systems. Nothing fancy, nice and easy - does the job!

The pre-made panels used in this project are Lattice Makers 1800 x 900mm Herringbone Hardwood Screen Panel.

They are fixed it to the wall with three heavy duty angle brackets and some Ramset anchors.

I planted a Climbing Ficus. They're a fast growing climber which I've used before and been happy with. They're quite aggressive so can cause some mischief if they start growing on brittle/dislodgeable things. I'll make sure they don't creep onto my brickwork.

Growth after 8 months

Before and after

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Tips

Bunnings Workshop member andarm advices anyone screening a heat pump or the external unit of an air conditioner to make sure they do not restrict the air flow to or from from the unit. Air flow restriction will impact the unit's efficiency.

More screening ideas

Check out the Top 10 most popular screening projects for more inspiration for your home. 

[jennih]

Great idea and look Pete.

I think I might do the same thing but with a trellis so I can grow some climbers.

thanks for sharing 

[EricL]

Hi @jennih

Let me tag @ProjectPete to make him aware of your kind words. I think your idea of growing climbers is fantastic. If you are using a garden trellis, I suggest painting or oiling it so that it will last longer when exposed to the weather.

If you have any questions about this project we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Dee7]

My hot water system is on the rear wall of my courtyard and is exposed and visible on three sides. I would like to screen it in a box-like structure, perhaps with a decorative screen that allows for air flow.  Is it possible to cut down some of those plastic decorative screens (such as Matrix 188 x 900 x 6mm Charcoal ferns screen panel and make a three sided box to disguise the HWS.  OR  is it possible that products like UNREAL 50x 50cm white petal artifical hedge tile easier to install (will these be affected by any heat from the HWS?  or will these affect the function and life span of the HWS (by trapping moisture or something?)  Your advice would be appreciated 

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Dee7. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about screening a hot water system.

I'd suggest that using the Matrix 188 x 900 x 6mm Charcoal ferns might be slightly easier as it comes in larger panels. It is possible to cut down the panels, but you'll lose some rigidity until it is fixed to your frame.

Hot water systems are typically heavily insulated and don't radiate much if any heat. I can't imagine the UNREAL tiles would have any issues. As long as you leave the top of the enclosure open, I don't believe there would be any trapped moisture affecting the unit's lifespan.

I've created a rendering below to illustrate.

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Mitchell

 

[HayleyM]

Looks great! Very neat and love the climbing ficus.

I've been thing about something similar to hide the bins- thanks for the inspiration! 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Hayley. It's wonderful to have you join us and great to see you've been inspired by this project.

Using a similar design to conceal garbage bins would be an excellent idea, and I trust our helpful members will be full of great advice for your project. I know I could do with something similar as my bins are stored in the front yard and quite exposed.

Please keep us updated and let us know if you need assistance. 

Mitchell

[MitchellMc]

Hi again @HayleyM,

I saw this design for a bin enclosure the other day and thought it was neat. It would be significantly more challenging to construct than some basic screening, but I thought I'd put a rendering together to show you. It had doors at the front, which allowed you to wheel the bins in and trap doors on the top to lift and drop rubbish in. Not a bad idea, really.

Mitchell

[HayleyM]

@MitchellMc Thanks for sharing the design with the design with the doors on the front and top- such a fantastic idea  

[unawarek]

@ProjectPete 

I was thinking of doing something similar to screen out my bins in the front yard.

Just wondering, does the screen panel also rest on the floor, or is the weight all on the 3 angle brackets on the wall? Also, what kind of brackets would they be? 

[EricL]

Hi @unawarek

Let me tag @ProjectPete to make sure he sees your questions. From a safety point of view, it would be practical to have the screen resting on the floor so that the angle brackets will not be bearing all the weight of the panel.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[ProjectPete]

 

[EmBull]

Looks great Project Pete!

Hi Mitchell (Bunnings Team Member)

I would like to do something similar to your design but with the merbau panels (1800x902). 
Would I need a frame to mount them to or am I able to attach the panel to my brickwork with some angle bracket and Ramset bolts? 
I’m just not sure how to Mount the centre panel to the two side panels if there is no extra frame required. 
cheers 

[MitchellMc]

Hi @EmBull,

I don't think a frame would be necessary, as those Merbau panels are very rigid. I'd suggest using angle brackets to mount the front panel to the side panels. Make sure the screws you use are small enough not to penetrate through the panels. A bracket at the top, middle and bottom would be plenty.

Mitchell