DIY PVC Pipe Privacy Screen

We saw this decorative PVC fence at Walt Disney World's Epcot and decided we wanted to create a DIY version. the Disney version is actually a single piece of molded PVC designed to look like individual cut pieces.

We purchased various widths of PVC pipe and got to work!

A full list of the materials and tools we used can be found on our website here.

Watch the video to see the step by step process.

All the PVC pipe was sanded prior to cutting to give it some tooth to better the grip when the adhesive was applied, as well as when it was spray painted. I turned my DeWalt sander upside down for hands-free sanding.

We cut the PVC pieces with the miter saw, which proved to be challenging as the pieces flung out. It was suggested from a reader that we could have moved the fence closer to the blade to help with this problem. The individual pieces were cut 1-3/16" wide. The cut pieces were also sanded after cutting. Shorter lengths of PVC were cut with a portable band saw when they were too short to safely cut on the miter saw.

We also cut the frame which is 35" wide by 45" tall. The frame was assembled with (2) 1" elbows and (2) 1" tees.

We assembled the project on a piece of insulation so that it wouldn't stick to the table. We got this far and realized we needed way more pieces of PVC--back to the store!

We used construction adhesive as opposed to PVC glue for assembling. There's been a lot of discussion about using construction adhesive vs PVC glue.

We received this advice from a YouTube viewer: "Nice job and time spent well with each other. Retired Gen Contractor. Because of the smooth surface of the PVC, your adhesive will let go soon because of the heat and cool. The PVC glue even though "smelly" actually melts the PVC together. It would have been a better choice. Even the glue after time will deteriorate in the sun after time, just not so quick. The PVC pipe itself will crumble and get very very fragile in the sun so don't dare hit it with a mower or weed whacker. Of course, it can be repaired, but once the outer frame goes, it will be time for a new project day with each other! That's a good thing."

What do you think? Good advice?

Note: This has been in use for six months now. It appears to be holding strong even in our extremely hot Florida weather up to this point. We'll see how it continues to hold up.

We found that the work went a little quicker when we worked independently of each other rather than together. Not going to lie, this was a tedious amount of work!

After assembling, we took it outside and spray painted with paint designed for plastic.

For each leg of the screen, we put two pieces of rebar side by side into the ground.

Once in place, you can see the screen acts more like a camouflage piece. You can see the garbage cans behind it, but yet you really don't. From the street, it appears as an interesting piece of yard art.

For more detail, please visit our website.