HOW TO FIX TRELLIS TO A MASONRY WALL – Fixing trellis to walls and fencing is a great way to provide a framework for climbing plants and can add real beauty to any home. Fixing trellis work to your masonry walls requires a little more consideration compared to fixing it to a wooden fence and in this Do It Yourself guide we’ll show you how it’s done with easy to follow steps.
Step 1
Check the size of the wall you want to fix trellis to and buy or make a garden trellis to the desired size. You will also need to buy two 2″ x 1″ batons at the same height as the trellis. If you are buying an Arched Trellis then the batons need to be the length from the base at the beginning of the arch.
Step 2
Treat the trellis and batons using a wood preserver before fixing to the wall – there are also a number of paints you can use to add colour to the trellis. Ask at your local DIY Store.
Step 3
Hold the trellis against the wall where you want it positioned. It’s helpful if you have someone to help you at this stage. Using a spirit level make sure the trellis is level and then mark either side, bottom and top with a pencil. It is best if you position the trellis above the ground as this will help prevent it from coming into contact with the floor when it’s raining and therefore prevent the bottom of the trellis from rotting.
Step 4
It’s now time to fix the batons to the wall. Put on your safety goggles and locate the center of each baton and using a drill and wooden drill bit, drill the center hole. Measure 6″ from the top and drill a second hole. Finally, measure 6″ from the bottom and drill the third hole. Note that it is NOT a good idea to fix trellis directly to a wall as it will not provide climbing plants with adequate space behind the trellis to climb. IMPORTANT – In this example we are using two batons. If the trellis is very wide you may need a third baton to be fixed to the center of the trellis.
Step 5
Place the batons on the wall against the pencil lines you made. Check the level again using a spirit level and then with a pencil mark the hole positions.
Step 6
Put on your safety goggles, and change the drill bit. You need a drill bit that is suitable for drilling through masonry. Make sure that your power drill is also set to ‘Hammer Action’ as this will make it easier to drill into masonry. Drill each hole on where you marked the positions with the pencil.
Step 7
Place suitable raw plugs into the holes and tap gently home using a hammer.
Step 8
Take some wood screws and attach the batons to the wall.
Step 9
Take your trellis and place this up against the batons that you fixed to the wall. It’s a good idea if you have someone to help you hold the trellis in place while you check the levels using a spirit level and ensure the trellis is located over the batons correctly.
Step 10
Using wood screws and a power screwdriver, screw the trellis to the batons.
Acknowledgements: Video – WoodiesDIY.com
