How to install timber battens on fence?

[blue4213]

I have installed a black corrugated fence  and I want to do teak colored timber battens in the grooves or to obtain that look.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thank you

[Dave-1]

Evening @blue4213 

If thats what I am picturing in my head then that will look pretty swish! Nice thinking.

So to make sure I have it right you are after vertical timber battens/pieces between each piece of the corrogated sheet?

If its right then how about ripping some Merbau down to 30mm width and then you could screw through the timber, metal and then into the timber behind. I would drill a pilot hole in the merbau for sure tho. Here is an example of 90mm SpecRite 90 x 19mm Merbau Pre-Oiled Decking - Random Lengths - 90mm 

This is a 90mm ripped down to 45mm 

I needed something around the 40mm ish mark wide to help strengthen an armrail.

Scray but once I worke dit out it was easy, stressy but easy

If you cut 30mm It should fit between the grooves of the corrogated sheets. You could even make the timber slats taller then the black fence for a different look.

Dave

[blue4213]

That’s a great idea and exactly the look I’m going for. Thanks Dave! 

[JacobZ]

Hi @blue4213,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

It's great to see @Dave-1 has already provided some fantastic advice. I agree that the merbau will be a good option. If they will work with the spacing of your fence, then there are 42 x 19mm Merbau Battens that could likely be used.

Just make sure you use galvanised screws that get good embedment in the fence rail behind the corrugated iron.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you'd like any advice or guidance along the way, and don't forget to upload some photos of the finished work.

I can't wait to see the finished project.

Jacob

[blue4213]

Thanks Jacob! 
looking at tackling it without showing the screws in the merbau so maybe a connection from top and bottom? Endlessly walking around Bunnings today has given me no inspiration.

i see the vision and want a clean look and finish.

thought about hooking it over top and securing at the bottom but just need to buy some, my Bunnings had no stock today but heading to another one tomorrow.

[JacobZ]

Hi @blue4213,

The only way I can see to hide the fixings on this side of the fence is to screw through the back of the fence into the back of the battens or to create a panel with a top and bottom rail that is fixed through the back of the fence.

Perhaps some photos showing the structure on the back of the fence and the location of the existing screws will help.

Allow me to tag @JoeAzza, @ProjectPete, and @Nailbag to see if they have any ideas.

Jacob

[Nailbag]

Hi @blue4213 

I agree with @JacobZ that I don't know any way to secure the boards without screwing/fixing them from behind. But even if you did, I would be concerned as to how secure long term that would be over fixing all the way through from the front into the battens as per a conventional deck is fixed. I think there is a risk over time and weathering that the boards may twist or warp to some extent.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @blue4213 

Thinking about your comment with not showing the screws.

Imagine the same idea but made in pieces.

So lets divide up the fence width by 800mm wide sections. (or 600, depends on how heavy it could be.)

You make the screen with a top and bottom rail and screw through the back of the rails to the timber you will see while looking at the fence.

At the top end of these sections you are going to install an upside down "L" made out of two timbers. This gets screwed to the top of the 800mm panel so standing looking at the panel you will see Panel, then a flast plain and then the long part of the L.

This whole "panel" is then dropped over the top of your fence and sits there much like an old school picture rail with a hanging picture (the screen) You could work your way across the fence repeating this. If it looks uneven then you could screw in a horizontal piece on the other side of the fence along the bottom of all those upside down L brackets.

Gravity will hold it in place, The wind cant pick it up and blow it and you really are not adding more weight to the fence then the first propposed privacy screen.

Dave

[blue4213]

Thanks Dave and everyone for the comments, I took the warping into consideration and have ordered 2 piece aluminum batten samples the clip onto the front of the colorbond in a teak finish. Will update with photos if I go ahead with that option.