How to install timber screens and lattice?

[JB546]

Hi all, hoping for some assistance please. Have been doing a lot of googling the past few weeks to fill in my knowledge has but I fear I’m getting more and more confused!

I want to install two wood screens and two hardwood lattice screens in my garden. Specifically these ones: 

Merbau alternating scree  

lattice 

For the screen panels they seem quite heavy, so I’ve bought a 100mmx100mm h4 treated pine posts for either side, and some more h4 treated pine to support them on the top and bottom. I plan on concreting these posts into the ground then using wood screws to attach. 
First questions; I want to stain these posts darker. Hopefully with some Cabot’s water based stain I have already. Do I need to use a timber conditioner on this pine before I stain? And it’s quite rough, so I need to sand it back or can I leave be as it will just be in the garden anyway?

Second lot of questions: I want to install the lattices at a height of approx 1.5m high. As they are very light, what sort of post do I need to attach them to? I was looking at h4 timber again but the smallest available around here seems to be 100mmx100mm which seems like complete overkill for how small they are. Is there something more suitable and obvious I’m missing? I’m also planning on staining the lattice with the same Cabot’s stain - will that need to be treated prior to staining too?

thanks in advance for any advice!

[EricL]

Hello @JB546 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about installing a timber screen.

If you wish to stain the 100x100 h4 post, there is no need to put conditioner on it and I don't recommend sanding it. It can be left as is, as it is treated to resist rot and insect attack. Staining it in its fresh condition will not work and the stain will just come off, I suggest leaving it to season for a minimum of 12 weeks so that the surface of the post becomes dry enough to stain.

In regards to mounting your lattice, I suggest using a 200 x 50mm 3m Treated Pine Sleeper H4 or similar as footing cut down to 600mm. H4 timber is ok for ground contact and H3 is not. In order to get around this issue, I suggest using an H4 sleeper as the footing and attaching a 90 x 45mm Outdoor Framing MGP10 H3 Treated Pine - 3.0m as the post for your lattice. I recommend using Zenith M12 x 120mm Hot Dipped Galvanised Hex Head Bolt And Nut to mount the post to the footing.

I've placed an image below to give you an idea of how they'll join together.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[JB546]

Thankyou so much Eric, that will all work perfectly. 

one last question - I assume I should also let the lattice weather before staining?

[EricL]

Hi @JB546 

It would be safe to let the lattice weather a bit before staining it, if you observe that the surface of the lattice still looks fresh and wet looking allow it to dry off first so that the surface will be ready for staining.

Please remember to post an update once you've completed your project. I'm sure our members will be keen to see what you've created.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let me know.

Eric