DIY Privacy Fence for Trash Cans (and Other Ugly Stuff)

We store our unsightly garbage cans on the side of our house and I’m tired (probably me neighbors are tired too) of looking at them. I decided to fix that and build a modern, nice cedar privacy fence/screen to hide trash cans (or other ugly stuff) on a concrete pad. This is an easy DIY build that brings big curb appeal results!

• Circular Saw: https://amzn.to/2WSrF7Q
• Drill: https://amzn.to/2ULFuYm
• Driver: https://amzn.to/2MJGYgp
• Wire Mesh: homedepot.sjv.io/oeymOW
• Manual Bolt Cutter: https://amzn.to/3yTtrbD
• Power Bolt Cutter: https://amzn.to/3trJFYl
• Wood Stakes: homedepot.sjv.io/qn25yg
• Post Anchors: homedepot.sjv.io/15WnWz
• Post Level: https://amzn.to/3cPgpnq
• Bessey Trigger Clamps: https://amzn.to/3kyFaqL
• Trim Head Screws: homedepot.sjv.io/qn2qAO
• Speed Square: https://amzn.to/36sk3Qf
• Total Boat Halcyon Finish: https://bit.ly/3ugKuT1
• Concrete Float: https://amzn.to/3sNfo4Y
• Concrete Edger: https://amzn.to/2Opthri

The bottom of this project is a concrete slab. By the way, if you'd like to skip the slab, you can put your fence posts directly into the ground.

I built the form using 2x4's cut with a circular saw and fastened by screws. Screws will make removing the form, once the concrete has dried, much easier. I based my slab's dimensions on how big my trash bins are.

I laid the form in place and painted around it using spray paint to reveal dig lines.

Before I pour my concrete, I want to add a gravel base to the bottom for drainage. To do this, I grabbed a shovel and dug out a small bit of ground (just a few inches), within my lines, to make a place for the gravel. 

Next I spread out a few bags of gravel.

Once I had the gravel base pretty evened out, I put my wooden form back into place and made sure it was level on all sides. 

I picked up a Wire Mesh mat at Home Depot, which is going to add some strength to my concrete slab. You could also use rebar. The wire can be cut to size using bolt cutters.

When pouring my concrete, I want to make sure this form stays in place. To do this, I got some wooden stakes and hammered them into the ground around the form to keep it securely in place. You want to make sure the top of your stakes are below the surface of the form so they don’t interfere with the concrete screening process after it’s poured. 

Right before pouring, I wet down the gravel so the ground won’t steal moisture from the concrete and the concrete will cure properly. 

For this pour, I rented a concrete mixer from Home Depot. To begin the mixing process, I first added water to the empty mixer. The concrete bags we got were 80 lb bags and we mixed two at a time.

As we poured, I moved the wire mesh so it sat in the middle of the pour. I also spread around the concrete with a hoe to help move it around and into the corners.

After all the concrete was poured, I used a straight 2x4 to screed the concrete level and into place, using the edge of the form as my reference. 

I then switched to a concrete float and started smoothing out the surface.

I'm using post anchors, set in the wet concrete, which will dry in place and hold the posts for the privacy fence.  

To set them in place I pushed them down into the wet concrete while it was still malleable. When you get them placed, It’s super important that they are in line with each other and perfectly level. 

After most of the surface water had disappeared, I then used an edging tool and smoothed and rounded the edges of the slab, and left it alone to cure. After a couple of days I removed the form.

To begin the privacy fence build, I wheeled my largest bin in and measured its height. This will help me to know how tall to build my fence. 

I got one 8’ pressure treated post and cut with my circular saw. I got lucky and needed each post to be 4 feet tall, which means I could cut this post in half and have my two sides.

I set the first post in place and once I made sure it was level and plumb, confirmed by a post level, I clamped it into place with a strong trigger clamp.  

I drilled out a hole, lined up with the holes in the post anchors. To secure the posts to the anchors, I’m using galvanized bolts, washers and nuts. I hammered one bolt through to the other side and secured it with a washer and a nut. And then I repeated the steps for the second hole. 

With the first post done, I then repeated the same steps to secure the second post. 

The slats I’m using for this fence are cedar fence pickets, which not only look really good, but are naturally rot resistant and excellent for outdoor use. 

I used my miter saw and cut all my boards to size. You could also easily do this with a circular saw. 

I placed my first slat about an inch from the bottom, confirmed that this first slat was level, clamped it into place and predrilled and screwed in my first two screws. 

I’m using exterior rated trim head screws, which have a small head and minimize the appearance. 

To keep my screws in line, I kept referencing the screw line, all the way up, with a framing square. 

I wanted about a 1/4” gap between my boards. I found a 1/4” thick scrap board so I used it as a spacer. And then continued adding the boards all the way up. 

Adding these slats is very similar to the modern slatted cedar mailbox I built earlier this year.

I love the way cedar looks and I wanted a way to keep the natural cedar color and prevent it from turning gray over time. I’m using Total Boat’s Halcyon Clear Varnish, which is my favorite choice for exterior projects. 

It’s super easy to apply, provides excellent UV protection from the sun, dries fast and dries clear, really accentuating this beautiful color and wood grain. 

And with that done, this project is done!

That's it! This was a pretty simple project but aesthetically it’s a huge win. So much more visually pleasing than the trash cans and other stuff we have stashed over here. I absolutely love the look of the modern cedar. In fact, I plan to upgrade our fence in the future to a similar look. Stay tuned for that and many other exterior projects.

Don't forget to watch the full build video above to see a more detailed tutorial. If I can build this privacy fence, you can too!

I'd love to see pics of yours if you decide to make your own! For more projects and tutorials, be sure and visit my YouTube channel and my website. You can also find me on Instagram @makergray.