Linda Johnson

Landscaping Ideas-Easily Cover Ugly Metal Fence Posts to Match an Existing Fence



Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009

by Linda Johnson
Showcase to Ideas

Now, I know there are a lot of you out there who currently have metal fence posts holding up each section of your wood fence for support.  You may also think they are not so ugly.  So this is for those folks out there who are of the same mindset as me who would rather the metal be shielded from view in some way or another.  I have tried to keep it simple with my instructions, because it was in fact very simple to do.  What you end up with is a creative do-it-yourself landscaping idea.
 
First, I would like to point out that I happened to have extra fence panels that matched my current fence.  If you do not have extras, you shouldn not have any problem finding panels to match the type of wood your fence is in.  However, if your fence is constructed of the narrow type panels, let us say 1in. x 4in., you will want to buy wider 1in. x 6in. panels so as to be sure the ugly metal fence poles can be covered.  Narrower panels would most likely not be able to enclose the poles.
All you really need to do is take 3 of the panels and make a 3-sided open box to cover the ugly metal fence poles with.  Lay the 3 panels on a flat utility table or any flat surface.  Lay one of the panels flat (this will be the front side panel), and secure the other two to each side of it to form your open sided box.  Using a screw gun, or electric drill with a screw bit on lower speed, secure the 2 side panels using any wood screws long enough to secure the panels solidly. 

To secure your wooden 3-sided pole covers to the existing fence, you'll want to use L-shaped metal brackets.  These come in various sizes and can be found at any home and garden store.  You can place the newly made pole covers over the ugly metal fence poles to fit, and secure your wood covers to the existing fence, therefore enclosing your ‘ugly metal fence poles'.  I then adorned a couple of my new wood covers with solar lights.  You can hang plants, or whatever else fits your fancy.

Some of the poles are covered by Potato Vines rather than the wood covers.  I thought it would break up the pattern a bit, add some variety to the fence, and bring a nice lush appeal to the backyard.  I've submitted another ‘how to' article on that method.  I hope you check it out as well. 
 
 

Linda Johnson is an experienced crafter and interior/exterior decorating specialist, sharing her passion by helping friends, family, and clients solve their decorating and craft needs, and is currently the publisher of http://www.showcasetoideas.com, where everyone is invited to show off their own wonderful creations, and find a wealth of craft ideas and decorating projects.  Linda's education and practical decorating experience laid the framework for putting together an evergrowing library of how-to articles, video tutorials, and supply resources, while enabling viewers to share her passion by showing off their projects as well at http://www.showcasetoideas.com.  

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