This can give somewhat of a “plaid” design to the panel. For example, the standard spacing between strips can be the same as the width of the strips, and then every third strip can have double the spacing. Some very nice designs can be made by using staggering widths, forming a pattern. Please note that the strips do not necessarily have to be spaced evenly apart. If a band saw is available, less material will be wasted in cutting the strips. That allows the cutting of the strips either on the table saw or the band saw, with each cut being one strip. A very typical size for the lath strips is ¼” thick by 1 ½” or 2” wide, depending on the stock being used.

Will the strips be attached together to form squares or diamonds?Īll the strips should be of the same size for ease of cutting.

How much space will there be between the strips?.How big will the lath strips used to assemble the panels be?.A few basic questions need to be answered in this process: To make lattice panels, first lay out the panels desired. On the other hand, making them at home can save some money, especially if the DIY-er manages to find a good price on rough-cut cedar. Lattice panels are actually quite easy to make, although somewhat tedious, especially if a lot of them are needed. Most people buy lattice panels, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be made in the home workshop. The plastic versions have wood grain molded into them, so that they can imitate wood panels. For the most part, the lath used in making lattice panels is rough cut and not sanded. This is also an excellent size for homemade lattice panels, as it can readily be cut from 2” thick dimensional lumber. Wood lattice is made of lathing strips, thin strips of wood from 7/16” to ½” thick and from ½” to 2” wide, with the most common size being ¼” thick and 1 ½” wide.

Leaving that out of the picture, any of the materials can provide life expectancies of up to 30 years, depending on how they are used and how well they are maintained. PVC can be somewhat problematic in hot climates, as the plastic has a tendency to dry out, leading to it cracking. A number of different types of lattice panels can be ordered through home improvement centers, even though they stock only a limited number of styles.Ĭommercially manufactured lattice panels can either be made of cedar lath or molded out of vinyl or PVC plastic. This is usually a square or diamond pattern (a square pattern rotated 45 degrees), but can include floral and foliage designs as well. These are normally criss-crossed on a frame, making some sort of pattern. Lattice panels also make excellent trellises.īy definition, a lattice panel is any panel made of wood strips or laths. In landscaping applications lattice panels are useful for hiding service equipment, such as air conditioners, dividing up areas and anywhere that a non-solid wall can add to the décor. Today, lattice panels are used for a variety of home and gardening purposes, including such things as skirting homes built on pier and beam foundations, skirting decks, making pool enclosures, as decorative walls for gazebos and arbors and to make pet enclosures. The word “lattice” comes from a French origin. Lattice panels were common in medieval and renaissance gardens, as well as French architecture. Other people in other places have done the same, both for the decorative appeal of the lattice itself and because the lattice can be used as a trellis for climbing plants. The Mayans, amongst other ancient people, carved latticework into some of their temples.

The first use of lattice goes back centuries and was actually carved of stone.

Framed lattice panels