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Hello,
I hope I'm posting this in the correct part of the forum. I have the below outdoor space which is roughly 3.6m by 5.6m that I'm looking to spruce up for outdoor living and entertaining purposes. Photos attached for reference
I'm planning to:
- Remove the petostroums on the left hand side garden bed
- Move the garden edging to a straight line to the fence on the left once removing the petostroums
- Paint fence black
I'd like to somehow both incorporate a floating deck as well as the the seat in this project https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/t5/Featured-Projects/Outdoor-seating-with-planter-and-storage/t...
But not sure if it's realistic to have both? As there would be a step down to the seating along the fence line from the decking. Not sure if I could build the seat on the deck. Or if I just need to choose one or the other
I'm also really open to any other suggestions on what to do with this area please!
Thanks
Afternoon @Calvin91
I would actually install horizontal slats on new posts next ish to the fence. But that could be pricier.
You could mount those panels higher so there is say a 600mm gap underneath them instead.
Here are my sketches for you, It was a very nice cheesecake and piccolo while drawing them up
This is how I had it pictured in my head. Must say you cam so close!
Just one beam all up. I prefer posts to support the privacy screen but either way works.
The dodgy rectangles are supposed to be large sandstone pavers With either a mix of white pebbles and that green mondo grass between them.
The rectangular Fire pit is just something different from the same same of firepits we see.
The lights are festoon light bulbs but could be Christmas style twinkle lights.
The cheescake and piccolo Yes it was good
Afternoon @Calvin91
Take lots of photos, take photos of measurements, of materials you use and throughout each stage. There are never too many photos!
I take many and still find holes in missing some when I want to check or explain something.
Break it down to stages.
Not in any order
Pull out those bushes.
Straight edge garden strip.
The bench seat to be planned, then executed.
Privacy screen, wether on posts or on the fence.
The posts with beams to carry lighting and define the area.
And lastly would be the paving
Then post a Project! 
Crowning glory at that point!
Dave
Hi @Calvin91
What a great project to look forward to. But I have to admit its going to be be pretty tough to add anything further than a sliced cake inspired @Dave-1. There are quite a few smaller jobs to tackle in preparation for the larger ones. So, here are a few of my thoughts for what they are worth.
1. Once the tree's are removed, pressure wash the rear fence of the mould prior to painting. Consider Monument as a colour as it's less stark than black for both the rear and left sided fence.
2. Install fence toppers to the rear fence to block out the neighbours view and paint the same colour.
3. I would keep the curved left hand brick garden edge and pressure washer it clean.
4. Consider installing 3-4 Corten rear feature panels with new medium growth trees to each corner. Sample photos attached.
5. Poison and remove all the grass as there isn't much and saves maintenance. Consider 10-15mm river pebbles to fill the space with larger format pavers to support a fire-pit, sun umbrella and seating area once built. Sample phot attached.
6. Include in the planing for cable runs for low voltage lighting to feature the trees, feature panels and under-seating glow.
7. Consider increasing natural light within the cover area. Solar tube lighting is great, but expensive. There are solar LED skylights I have installed that vary in intensity to give a natural feel as sun light shines on the solar panel. An easy DIY project.
8. I assume your floating decking/flooring is this type of easy DIY click together product. I have installed this a few timers, and it's a great way to freshen up in your case a mix of ground finishes.
9. Consider semi-blockout track blinds to allow for weather protection and more of an all year round use of that space.
10. Sit back and enjoy the fruits . . . er sweets of your labour and share your photos with a slice of cake to honour @Dave-1 inspiration.
Nailbag
Hi All,
I've removed the pittosporum's, just one stump left to remove and need to re-adjust the garden bed but that should be straight forward enough. I'd like to start planning and purchase the materials for the Merbau screening part of the project which I'll be tackling next.
These are the steps that in my head need to be followed along with the associated materials. Can you please confirm if I've missed anything or suggested the wrong materials?
STEP 1 - Attach vertical posts onto existing fence railing to hang screening / Merbau lengths
The current distance between my fence railing to post is 70mm, attaching image below showing this:
So my thought is to purchase some H3 70 x 45mm treated pine https://www.bunnings.com.au/70-x-45mm-outdoor-framing-h3-treated-pine-5-4m_p8032136 lengths and mount vertically onto the railing at appropriate distances as required for the Merbau screens to attach to, i.e the red lines would be the H3 pine lengths:
These would be screwed on using https://www.bunnings.com.au/zenith-8-10-x-100mm-treated-pine-countersunk-head-screws-50-pack_p240001...screws
STEP 2 - Attach 2 Merbau Pre-Oiled Decking Lengths
As mentioned previously, I'd like to have the Merbau screenings to a height of 2m to cover my existing fence, however the product is only 1.8m. So to solve for this I will attach 2 of these down the bottom of the fence - https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-90-x-19mm-merbau-pre-oiled-decking-random-lengths-90mm_p0200172
This would appear as follows, i.e Merbau lengths are the red lines:
These would be attached using https://www.bunnings.com.au/buildex-10g-x-65mm-10-tpi-rapiddrive-treated-pine-climacoat-screws-50-bo...screws?
STEP 3 - Attach Merbau Screenings
Final step is mounting the Merbau screenings https://www.bunnings.com.au/specrite-1800-x-902mm-pre-oiled-merbau-alternating-slat-fence-panel_p850... which I plan to hang horizontally, i.e. 1 on top of each other for a height of 1804mm. These would be screwed into the H3 pine that was done in Step 1 using the same https://www.bunnings.com.au/buildex-10g-x-65mm-10-tpi-rapiddrive-treated-pine-climacoat-screws-50-bo...screws as above and would sit just above the lengths from Step 2
Thanks for your help once again!
Good morning @Calvin91
Love it when a project moves along!
Id prefer seperate posts to mounting the panels on your fence. I never trust fences will hold the weight. Otherwise I like your method of thinking. It looks good
Stepping through your project is probarlly what has ended up me sorting how to raise my fence height down the side of my fence. I am going to install seperate posts to support some vertical slats I want. Yeah it will be a bunch more work however I wont need to worry about my fence in the future.
How about gently trying to pick up say two of the merbau panels and then imagine that weight always sitting on your fence? Just a note of caution is all
Whoops just saw the screws you are thinking of. I would suggest to drill and countersink the holes first. Merbau is a hardwood and predrill is definently high on the wise way of installing them. Macsim 10g Clever Tool Standard Head - Blister Pack is what I used and its brilliant!. If you find that screwing the screws in with a torqued driver feels hard you can drag the screw through a bar of soap beforehand. Makes it a lot easier.
Courtyard privacy fence and gate build, Part 2 Have a troll through some of the decking projects or privacy screen projects in my bookmarks and you might find some ideas on how to install the slats/panels.
Dave
Well phase 1 is nearly finished I just need another Merbau length for the right hand side to cover the upright fence post
Am I correct that I should wait 8 to 12 weeks and then apply a coat of something like https://www.bunnings.com.au/intergrain-4l-natural-ultradeck-timber-decking-oil_p1520074 to protect the timber?
Thanks!
