How to Assemble an Outside Partition Screen

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This video is sponsored by Lowe's. #LowesPartner #LowesFinds

I've worked on the back patio at my house on many occasions over the years. We put a shed back there as well as a kayak stand and added a storage box. And not too long along, I patched and repaired the concrete. 

But the one thing that never came together was a defined space for sitting and enjoying the outdoors. Most of the patio is just storage.

With this Lowe's Home Improvement collaboration, we set about to create a defined "space" for outdoor sitting, with the addition of a screen. The screen will help identify the perimeter of the "space" as well as to help camouflage the storage at the opposite end of the patio. 

Here's how it went.

Product/Tools:

• Freedom Matte Black Aluminum Decorative Screen panel kit (Lowes)


• (3) Freedom Sanibel Decorative Screen panel (Lowes)


• Origin 21 Round Planter with Drainage Holes (Lowes)


• Miracle-Gro 50 Quart(s) All-purpose Potting soil mix (Lowes)


• Lowe's Boston Fern in 1.5-Gallon Hanging Basket (Lowes)


• Miracle-Gro Large Nitrile dipped Rubber Gardening Gloves (Lowes)


• Lowe's Essentials 2pc Plastic Garden Tool Set Hand Tool Kit (Lowes)


• DEWALT 20V MAX 2-Tool Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit (Lowes)


• (8) Tapcon + 3/8-in x 1-3/4-in Concrete Screws Anchors (Lowes)


• Bosch Bulldog 8 -Amp SDS-Plus SDS-plus Variable Speed Rotary Hammer Drill (Lowes)

We are using an outdoor screen system by Freedom. The panels and the frame panel kit are sold separately. We found the panels outside in the garden department and the frame kit in a separate but close by aisle, but it can easily be ordered online for pick-up or delivery. There are several panel designs to choose from.

Here are the contents of the panel frame kit. Be sure to compare your components to the list in the manual. We missed two of the channels, but found them before we needed them. They were tucked into one of the aluminum post.

The included hardware also includes the screwdriver bits and drill bit that you will need. The plastic plugs in the foreground are used to assemble the base covers. Set those aside for later.

We also picked up a couple of planters, some dirt, and gardening supplies and a couple of ferns.

You'll need to purchase screws to secure the finished screen to the surface where it will be placed. Because ours is on a concrete patio, we bought Tapcon concrete screw anchors.

The first step is to add the base plates to the bottom of each leg. Drive low and slow so you don't strip the screws. Don't get in a hurry.

We braced the end of the leg against the brick step while I held it to make it easier for Steph to add the plate to the bottom.

Low and slow will get the job done. Steph found that when she got to much resistance, if she backed the screw out and then started back it was more successful.

Almost there. This was the longest part of the assembly process.

Once you get the bases on, you can either go ahead and secure the poles to the ground or assemble the entire screen and then attach it. We waited to attach it to the ground until it was fully assembled.

There are two three inch pieces that fit into each side. Put one on each side then slide the bottom rail into place.

After putting the rail in place, add one of the long channel pieces to each side, making sure it clicks into place. Add the decorative panel and then a rail on top of the panel making sure the top of the panel fits snuggly into the groove in the top.

For each rail, starting at the bottom, use the provided drill bit to drill into the predrilled hole. Make sure you drill all the way through the rail, but don't drill through the other side.

Use the included bit to drive the screw into place.

Once the first panel is secured, add another set of side channels and then add the second panel making sure you've oriented the second in the same direction as the first. The panel fits into the groove in the rail.

Repeat the same steps for the last panel.

The last step is to add the covers to the top of each side. Lightly tap these into place.

Once we settled on the screen placement we marked the placement for the concrete anchors.

We used a Bosch rotary hammer drill to drill the holes for the anchors. Be sure to wear PPE to avoid breathing in the concrete dust. We also used a wet dry to help with dust collection.

Here Steph is putting Tapcon screws into place with an impact driver.

There is where you'll use those plastic plugs. The covers give a nice finish to the base of the screen.

Before

After

You can see the shed but it's not as obvious as before. The screen and plants give definition to the outdoor space. There is now a separate storage space and a space for future outdoor furniture.

We are very happy with how the screen turned out. It's a lovely addition to the space.

Now that the "space" has been defined with the screen, the next step will be to furnish it!

​Many thanks to Lowe's for partnering with us on this little outdoor patio makeover. 

Please note: This is a sponsored post by Lowe's Home Improvement. 
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FYI: We are not professionals, and we don't claim to be. This is what we found worked for our project. Yours may need a little different approach. Safety first!

FYI: Affiliate links are being used on this page. Purchasing via these links help financial support MDP.

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