Classic White Garden Trellis

This single panel, classic white garden trellis is a great way to add texture and colour to an old garden shed. It’s a simple project you can get done in a weekend to freshen up an outdoor space.

Materials

• Wooden garden lattice – these are usually sold in sheets that you will need to cut down to size. They come in treated wood or cedar. I used treated wood for this project.

• Wooden strips – these will attach to your shed wall and hold up the lattice, creating airflow and room for your vine to grow upwards. When I first embarked on this process, I thought it was as easy as screwing the lattice to the side of my shed. A little research (and my husband) showed me the important of having air flow in and behind the lattice. So don’t skip the strips!

Tools that will make the job easier

• Table saw – to cut lattice to the right width. If you don’t have access to a table saw, you could see if your local hardware store will cut it for you.

• Drill – to drill pilot holes in the thin wooden posts so that they don’t split when attached to the garden shed wall.

• Impact driver – to screw the wooden posts into the side of the garden shed.

• Brad nailer – to nail the wooden lattice to the wooden posts. You could also use the drill and impact driver instead.

• Paint & paint brush – I used an exterior white barn paint similar to this one. You could also skip the painting and go with a natural wood look.

Let’s get started: Measuring & painting the garden trellis

Please note, this project requires some sort of wooden wall or fence to attach the trellis. It is not meant to stand on its own. I used an old wooden shed on our property where we store our winter tires and other odds & ends.

Step 1 – Purchase a wood lattice panel. They are usually available in cedar or treated wood (I used treated wood). You will need to cut this to size later.

Step 2 – Purchase or source two narrow wood strips, roughly 1″ x 2″ and as tall as you want your trellis. I cut two 8 foot long strips from a piece of lumber we already had laying around.

Step 3 – Cut your wood lattice panel to the dimensions that make sense for your space. I used 16″ x 8′ feet tall.

Step 4 – Paint 2 coats of an exterior paint on the front side of your lattice and your wood strips. If you prefer the look of the bare wood lattice, you could also skip this step.

Keep going! Attach the garden trellis

Step 5 – Drill pilot holes every 2 feet or so along your wooden strips to avoid the thin wood splitting when you attach them to the wall.

Step 6 – You’ll want to line up your wooden strips against the wall so that they are spaced apart the length of your lattice. You’ll also want to spend some time making sure they are straight. Using your impact driver, screw the strips to the side of the wall. I used X deck screws.

Step 7 – Once your strips are attached, nail or screw the painted lattice to the strips. You can either use a brad nailer, impact driver, or good old fashioned hammer and nails. I used a brad nailer, and it did make the job nice and easy. Take your time while attaching the lattice to ensure it is straight.

Step 8 – You’re lattice is up! Now all you have to do is transplant or seed a beautiful growing vine at the base of your trellis. I did a rough and ready transplant of some blue clematis that was growing in behind the wild rose bushes at the front of our house. Time will tells if it survives such mistreatment!

Classic White Garden Trellis

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This single panel, classic white garden trellis is a great way to add texture and colour to an old garden shed. It’s a simple project you can get done in a weekend to freshen up an outdoor space.

Materials

• Wooden garden lattice
• 2 x wooden posts (1" x 2" and 8 foot tall)
• 2" exterior deck screws
• White exterior paint

Tools

• Table saw
• Brad nailer (optional, can also use drill & impact driver to attach lattice)
• Drill
• Impact driver
• Tape measure
• Level
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Purchase a wood lattice panel. They are usually available in cedar or treated wood (I used treated wood). You will need to cut this to size later.
2. Purchase or source two narrow wood strips, roughly 1" x 2" and as tall as you want your trellis. I cut two 8 foot long rails from a piece of lumber we already had laying around.
3. Cut your wood lattice panel to the dimensions you want. I used 16" x 8'.
4. Using a white exterior paint, paint 2 coats on the front side of your lattice and your wooden strips.
5. Drill pilot holes every 2 feet or so along your wooden strips to avoid the thin wood splitting when you screw them to the supporting wall.
6. Using your impact driver, attach the rails to the side of the supporting wall using 2" deck screws. The rails must be spaced apart the the length of your wood lattice, so mine are 16 inches apart.
7. Now, either using a brad nailer, impact driver, or a good old fashioned hammer and nails, attach the painted lattice to the wooden strips. Take your time while attaching to ensure the lattice is straight.
8. Transplant or seed a beautiful growing vine at the base of your trellis.

Notes

This project requires some sort of wooden wall or fence to attach the trellis. It is not meant to stand on its own.