DIY ~ Beautify a Chain Link Fence with Bamboo!
What do you do if you fall in love with a home surrounded by an ugly five foot high chain link fence? It is a great enclosure for pets, but aesthetically not so pleasing. This was my daughter’s dilemma when she purchased a darling cottage in Oregon.
There are vinyl or wooden strips you can thread into the fencing, but she wanted to cover that fencing as well as make her yard more private. Bamboo screening/fencing to the rescue! Bamboo screening comes in different heights and can be attached to the existing fence. There are poles and split bamboo as well to choose from. It is quick, easy and way less expensive than tearing out the chain link and replacing it.
We transformed the front of the property a few years ago by covering that ugly metal fence, and this year finished the side yard. The two of us covered a sixty-five foot run of fence in just under three hours for under $200. Now it looks much better, screens out the neighbor’s messy yard and provides privacy and a nice backdrop for her plantings. (Note: in the front we attached the screening to the outside of the fence so the good side shows. On the side yard, we put the good side inward.)
Here are the three materials you will need for 65 feet of fencing. Adjust accordingly for your fence project : Bamboo screening/roll fencing (we bought 5 rolls of 13 ft by 5 ft split bamboo screening), 2 rolls of 18 gauge plastic coated steel wire and a pair of wire snips. Cut the wire into 6 inch pieces and stow in a bucket. Fencing for this project cost $186.95. Wire added on $11.94 and we had wire snips for a total of $186.95.
Just three easy steps, but definitely a two-person job as the bamboo screening is floppy until secured. We found it is best to have a person on each side of the fence when attaching the screening. First, unroll and stretch the screening out along the fence to be covered. You may need a few lawn chairs to prop it in place until it is wired on. Next, with a person on either side of the fence, thread pieces of wire through the screening and chain link fence, twist the ends together and turn any ends inward. We found it was much more efficient to attach the top of the entire run of fence first so it was held in place as we attached middle and bottom wires. Wires were attached every foot or so across the top, middle and bottom.
Very nice, Barb – thanks for the great idea.
Thanks, Jacki! This screening goes up quickly and ages to a beautiful soft gray. My daughter has loved it and received many wonderful compliments on the transformation!
Happy gardening!
Barb
Had to come and comment here Barb! Just a Wonderful, wonderful job!! xo
Thanks, Sia! I am so happy to hear you think so! This was an easy, inexpensive fix for the MILES of chain link fence around my daughter’s double lot.
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Bamboo Fencing does wonders and it looks great! I wish I had a high fence like yours. Even at half the height, it’s sturdy. I have it on one side of my yard (unfortunately, I had a neighbor from Hell)
Great job!!
Thanks for writing, Jackie! Sorry to hear you have a difficult neighbor. Maybe you’ll need to add trellis and vines too : ) Luckily, my daughter’s neighbor is cordial, just a bit messy!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Not very durable in the wind
Thanks for writing, Cindy ~
My daughter lives in town in Eugene, Oregon and there are no high winds to contend with there. The screening is securely fastened to the chain link fence with wire. I suppose if your area has high winds you would have to put more fasteners in or look for a more sturdy alternative.
Happy Gardening!
Barb
how long will the bamboo last in southeast Michigan [Motown in particular]?
JL ~ There were two kinds of bamboo screening to select from when we purchased ours. One was many tiny poles and the other was split bamboo. I would imagine that the pole bamboo would last much longer. It is what we put in the front of my daughter’s house and it looks great after more than three years.We chose the split bamboo for this side yard that gets little use and has bushes growing in front of it that will be quite large. Check with the stores that carry it in your area and see what they recommend for durability in your climate.
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Barb,
Love this!! I added the vinyl privacy lattice to my chain link fence!! I am now following you wherever i can…..
Hugs,
Deb
Oh, Miss Debbie-Dabble, Thanks so much for checking out my blog and writing! I am so happy that you are joining me on my other social media locations too! What a compliment!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Me again!! I have added your blog to my blog rolls too!!
Hugs,
Deb
Very nice Barb..Love the natural look of the bamboo!
Thanks, Nancy Blue Moon! It has a very zen, tropical or cottage garden look depending on your plantings!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
By the way, your daughter’s cottage looks positively enchanting and adorable! I’d love to see the inside!
Lorraine ~ It is a tiny little cottage with the footprint of a two car garage – which is what it was at one time! Two rooms and a bathroom downstairs with a nice size bedroom upstairs. She has to be very efficient but there is a lot of storage with built-ins, etc.
Barb
What a great idea! I am pleased to see a renewable resource being used – I am not a fan of the plastic strips. I would like to try this in my own yard.
I am wondering where you purchased the bamboo screening. Lowes? Home Depot? I live in Manitoba Canada which is just above Minnesota and North Dakota.
Looking forward to your reply.
Jennifer
Hi, Jennifer! We purchased this at Jerry’s , which is like a Lowe’s or Home Depot, but in Oregon, where my daughter lives. Now is the time to get it as this is a seasonal product and you might get lucky and find it marked down! For the best durability, make sure you get the tiny bamboo poles (roll bamboo screening). Split bamboo is pretty but you probably have severe winters and it might not last as long. Be careful not to get reed screening which looks similar but will fall apart after just a season or two!
Good luck on finding a deal and doing your project!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
I loved reading this article and feel the bamboo really dressed up the yards by hiding the ugly fence. If by any chance, I end up staying here in this house, I will definitely add this to the project list. I love it, the privacy is allows and more importantly to me, the low cost.
Thanks, Terri ! The bamboo is an affordable way to add privacy and dress-up your fencing. Because you wire it on, it can easily be taken down as well, if you move or decide to do something different!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Wow! I’m totally impressed! It’s actually a great idea. I’ve never thought about putting bamboo to hide the chain link fence. It really did spruce up the fence. It looks so much better than how it was. You did a great job. Very brilliant idea.
Thanks, Brandi ~ Although my daughter was thrilled to have a fenced-in yard for her pets, all that chain link fencing did not have much curb appeal. This seemed to do the trick! Thanks for coming by!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
I am going to check w/MeNAARDS,Lowes & etc.. I neeD a growing fence to block a neighboorS who has a garage that is falling down @ A yARD HE DOES NOT ATTEND//and the City is doing nothing !!HOPE THIS MIGHT WORK:)
Sad to hear that your neighbors are neglectful, that is hard to live next to I’m sure. If Bamboo screening won’t work in your location, lattice panels might help obscure the view. Hope one of these helps your situation.
Barb
That view did need some sprucing up! I think the finished product looks great! Bamboo was a great choice, especially because it ages so well.
Thanks, Marble Falls Fence – It isn’t the traditional fence, but it did the trick at my daughter’s house!
Happy Gardening!
Barb
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for
providing this info.
You are so welcome, Donna! I am glad for your visit and thank you for your comment!
Happy Gardening!
Barb