How to Make Your Own Fencing Slats for a Chain Link
Retailers sell fencing slats in a variety of colors and sizes, but the total cost of obtaining enough for the length of a chain link fence is considerable. Fortunately, you can avoid the expense by creating your own privacy fencing slats.
Manufacturers create the slats with vinyl, but you can use any material that is durable and weatherproof. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, the process of creating and installing your own fencing slats can be enjoyable.
Things You Will Need
- Corrugated plastic sheet, 0.157 inches thick
- Measuring tape
- Utility knife
Tip
1¼ inch slats are best for chain link mesh with holes of 2¼ inch width. Measure the width of a hole in your chain link fence. If the width of the hole is bigger or smaller than 2¼ inch, adjust the width of the slats. Purchase corrugated plastic sheets from the lumber and composites section of home improvement stores. The sheets are opaque and are available in white. Additional options for chain fence slats include bamboo and wood. If you choose to use these materials, ensure that they are weather resistant for outdoor use. Follow the given process for creating slats but cut the materials with a table saw. Bamboo and wood are available from home improvement stores. You can also obtain bamboo from online retailers such as Calibamboo.com and Bamboohabitat.com.
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Place the plastic sheet on a flat surface. It is best to take the sheet to a spacious area where you can work without damaging the surface. Ensure that the length of the sheet is equal to the height of the fence.
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Make marks at 1¼-inch intervals along the top edge of the sheet. Make the same marks across the middle of the sheet and along the bottom edge of the sheet. You may use a measuring tape or ruler for accurate measurements.
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Draw straight lines from the top of the sheet to the bottom to connect each group of three dots. Cut along each line to produce the slats. Use a utility knife.
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Insert the strips into the chain link fence. You can insert each strip straight down by pushing the top end through a hole at the top and the bottom end through a hole at the bottom, or you can weave the strips through more holes in the fence. If you choose to arrange the slats diagonally, cut additional slats to fit gaps where necessary.
The Drip Cap
- Retailers sell fencing slats in a variety of colors and sizes, but the total cost of obtaining enough for the length of a chain link fence is considerable.
- Manufacturers create the slats with vinyl, but you can use any material that is durable and weatherproof.
- Ensure that the length of the sheet is equal to the height of the fence.
- Draw straight lines from the top of the sheet to the bottom to connect each group of three dots.
References
Writer Bio
Tina Amo has been writing business-related content since 2006. Her articles appear on various well-known websites. Amo holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in information systems.
Photo Credits
- Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
- Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
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