Overview: The advantages of a privacy screen
1 of 1Deck and railing before the fence
The deck location includes an unsightly view of the neighbor's backyard and dog pen.
If you enjoy spending time on your deck but the neighborhood pest seems to pop over every time you step outside, this privacy fence project is for you. It's designed to gracefully replace sections of your existing railing and make your deck more private. It also blocks unsightly views, reduces outdoor noise and gives you shelter from the wind, making your deck a more comfortable spot on those breezy days that usually drive you inside.
The fence is made from construction-grade cedar in standard widths available at home centers, so little cutting is required. The equal panels formed by 2x4 upright posts create an appealing symmetry that will complement any railing. We built our fence to replace one whole side and one partial section of 2x2 spindles, which are typically screwed or nailed over the rim joists and rise to a 2x6 top railing.
The step-down design has a high section that flows into a lower section and then connects neatly to the original railing. This all adds up to an uninterrupted flow—the fence looks like it was meant to be there.
Step 1: Draw up your plan and buy the materials
1 of 1Photo 1: Dismantle the old railing
Cut your original railing at the point where it intersects the lower fence section, after carefully measuring and marking your layout. Set aside these old pieces and remove all the nails.
We realize that your deck won't be exactly like ours, but you can refer to our measurements as you carefully lay out your own plan. The first step is to determine how you'll tie in the new privacy fence with your existing railing (if different from ours). We simply cut our existing top railing (Photo 1) and then rejoined it to the side of the last upright post (B); see Fig. A, below.
The next step is to determine how many full-size panels you'll need. Each panel is 14-3/4 in. wide, measured from the center of one post to the center of the next. The panel closest to the house will most likely be a different width (Photo 5).
If you need a narrower panel, reduce the space between the posts and decrease the width of the slats. If you need the last panel to be a bit wider, increase the space between the posts and add a partial slat on the top and bottom. At the other end of the fence, the section that connects to the existing railing will be a full-size panel as long as you cut the original railing exactly as shown in Fig. A.
NOTE: To visually blend the privacy fence with your original deck, build it from the same type of wood. If your original wood railing has weathered (see the unweathered wood shown in Photo 4), you can wait for the new sections to weather (about two years) or you can use a deck cleaner to wash away the gray wood fibers.
You can do the entire project in one long weekend if you pick up the materials beforehand. If you have a circular saw, handsaw, sawhorses, square, tape measure, level, cordless drill and hammer, you're all set.
Unlike the decking and the joists, where only one side needs to look good, your new fence must look good on all sides, so try to select the wood yourself. If you're having the materials delivered, ask the lumberyard or home center if you can personally select each piece before delivery. Expect to pay extra for delivery.
Carefully dismantle the existing parts of the railing to make room for the new privacy fence. You may find it easier to saw the old railing into sections. Avoid marring the edges of your deck with hammers or pry bars and make sure to remove any exposed nails or screws.
You'll be able to precut all the posts (A and B) as well as the rails (C). It's best to cut the rest of the items in the Cutting List as you need them so you can get an exact fit. Wood thickness can vary slightly and affect the length of these pieces.
Deck privacy fence detail
Figure A Deck Privacy Fence
You can download Figure A and print it. Go to “Additional Information” below.
Step 6: Reinforce the rim joist and apply a finish
1 of 1Photo 11: Add bridging to the joists
Strengthen the rim joist against heavy winds by adding 2x6 (or wider) box bridging between the two outside joists. Fasten the bridging to each joist with three 3-1/2 in. deck screws. Install bridging every 2 ft. Cut each piece of bridging so it fits snugly between the outer rim joist and the next inner one as shown. This boxing will stiffen the rim joist and prevent the fence from swaying.
Photo 11 shows how to strengthen the rim joist so the fence above doesn't sway and weaken.
Then apply the finishing touches. You can employ the fine art of doing nothing and let your new fence weather, or you can protect it with a clear deck sealer.
The clear sealer will keep the wood dry and prevent checking and cracking. If you use a deck cleaner to brighten your old deck, let it dry thoroughly before applying a sealer.
