CONFESSIONS OF A CHEAPSKATE

Trellis or lattice panels are often made to support climbing plants — the idea dates back hundreds of years. They were some of the first things I remember my dad making when I was growing up. If you have the equipment to make them — more on that later — then they are also very inexpensive, especially if, like me, you like to make them from what is in effect scrap wood.

You can buy pre-made trellis screens at Mitre 10 or Bunnings but I won’t pay that much for something I can make for a fraction of the cost. The other problem with commercial products is they typically come in only a few standard sizes which can’t be modified easily. I can make panels whatever size I need. As an example (see below for the unit), here is a unit I finished a year or so ago. It does a good job of hiding the gas bottles for the hot water system; it also protects the bottles from vehicles driving in and out. The front is a two-piece door — I did intend to build a top but that hasn’t happened yet.

Minimal materials

What do you need to make something like that? The materials are minimal: some framing, which I usually make from about