A Little Lattice Goes A Long Way…

If you want a relatively inexpensive and easy way to spruce up the outside of your home, and perhaps add a little privacy, too, lattice panels may be just your thing.

The Early Show's home improvement guru, Danny Lipford, who's also host of "Today's Homeowner," stopped by Wednesday to show the way.

Lattice, which consists of crossed-sectioned panels made of wood or plastic, is frequently used to make fences and trellises. It's an easy and versatile way to decorate without blocking air flow, and has many practical uses.

It can be used to screen an air conditioning unit, pool pump, power meter, and other large objects commonly found in yards. It also can come into play to create privacy, decorate your yard, and as under-skirting for decks and homes.

Patterns

Lattice panels can be created with standard patterns that usually have spaces of 2 ½ inches, or with a type that lends more privacy, with one-inch separations. Another variation of lattice is the checkerboard pattern, in which the strips are assembled in a more perpendicular pattern rather than the traditional, diagonal approach.

Common uses for lattice

Screening of eye sores such as air conditioning units, pool pumps, trash cans.

Lattice can also be used to create privacy panels for decks or pools. Lattice is such a versatile product, it can even be used to add a touch of decoration to homes or decks by adding under-skirting. Channel framing for both wood and plastic lattice is available to give your panels a more finished look and make them sturdier.

Danny will have an example of this type of screening built from the plastic lattice in a frame. This will be free standing between the two tables with a small vine attached to it to illustrate how it can provide screening.

Many do it yourself projects can be created from lattice and lattice panels. Decorative planters and accents can be created using a simple stapler and lattice.

If a planter is going to be used outside, it has to be made out of a weather resistant material. The most common type is pressure treated pine. Making a lattice planter can be as simple as assembling four panels approximately 16 inches by 16 inches, attaching thin, weather-resistant plywood on the back side of it, and attaching them to create a box. More plywood is then attached to the bottom of the box, and a few lattice strips are added for trim, and it's complete.

Lattice can also be painted to match any décor.