Cypress Screen

[Blu_Rock]

I am nearing the completion of my deck and although I have used merbau for the decking, I would like to use another species for a 4.5m x 1.6m screen (on LHS of 2nd last photo in the post) that will block out the drive/garage. I was thinking of using cypress (90mmx19mm) for the screen as I like the figured appearance of this species. I am going to finish the merbau deck with cedar colour Spa-n-Deck. However, I would prefer to use a clear finish on the cypress. I would appreciate any comments that you may have on 1) the use of cypress outdoors for a screen 2) the best long-lasting clear finish?

[brynk]

gday blu_rock

deck looks great! might i suggest you go with an oil as a poly will no doubt require as much maintenance as the oil if it is to not wind up being patchy. at least with the oil you can slack off for a year and the timber will only dry out - when you re oil it will go back to lookin good, however the poly will need sanding and re-application.

cypress will look great i love it. what type of screen are you doing?

[Blu_Rock]

Thanks Brynk. I too was leaning towards an oil finish. In the past, I have had good results with Feast Watson products. What about Outdoor Furniture Oil (Hardwood tint) or is there a better product?

I am still not sure what type of screen. The first photo below is what someone has been done down the street from me, the second is what I did on a oregon screen in my front yard (it really needs a lick of paint/stain.. bad!) and the last is where the screen will go. I was thinking about alternating between horizontal thin (45x19) and thick (90x19) strips. However, I am totally open to any suggestions.

[Dr - 307]

I have now twice seen vertical battens as a screen and I'm positive I would go this way but I would definetely take more care than this numbskull.

Attachment 71860

Cheers,
Dr - 307.

[Blu_Rock]

...but I would definetely take more care than this numbskull... Dr - 307.

LOL.. not what you would really call a well-executed project. It looks like the constructor had been on the sauce, was cross-eyed, in a real hurry or maybe all of the above!. Thanks for your thoughts.

[brynk]

gday blu_rock

here is a screen i built earlier this year for a client. unfortunately bunnings doesn't sell wide-span hardwood lattice with a 1" aperture, so i had to d.i.y. (). timber is vic ash, painted with dulux exterior acrylic (3 coats from the sprayer - not my own preference but i guess it matches the bricks... sortof)

[Blu_Rock]

Nice job Brynk. Pity to cover up the ash, but the client rules.

[brynk]

thanks blu_rock - yeah i would've simply oiled it - unfortunately i didn't get a shot un-painted because i painted the slats before i put them up. if you're feeling keen, the trick is to use gravity to your advantage and not work against it like i did - it only took me 3 times what i allowed for


another idea for your screen from dr's post might be a vertical one, but with the boards cut in on the angle & lining up with your decking boards, so it looks like your deck flows into your screen?

r's brynk

[Blu_Rock]

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to go down the path of least resistance (least effort) and will simply run the boards horizontal. They will all be the same width as I can't be bothered ripping and radiusing the ripped timber. I went with Feast Watson Decking Oil, natural tint, and the photos below show the raw timber; a shot comprising raw, wet with water and oiled (top to bottom); and the last shows the colour variation once oiled (2 coats). The finish looks a little yellow on the lighter parts of the timber and I would have prefered a slightly browner/tanner shade. No problems, as it will fade over time and I may choose a different tint when it is time to re-oil in the future.