How to Make an Outdoor Privacy Screen From PVC Pipe

Prepare the Frame

Cut each of the PVC pipes into three pieces: (1) 6’ long, (1) 3’ long, (1) 1’ long. Wipe the pipes and the fittings free of dust and debris.

Lay the 1’ and 6’ pieces on a drop cloth and use spray primer to coat completely on one side. When dry, flip and prime the opposite side. Repeat with spray paint, adding additional coats as needed for full coverage. It is not necessary to paint the 3’ pieces.

Make the Fabric Panels

Use a seam ripper to open the seam along the wide band on the top of the sheets. Discard the top band, if separate, or cut the top band away at the holes made by the stitches.

You will need two panels from one sheet and one panel from the second sheet. Cut the panels 92" long and at least 37-1/2” wide. They can be wider, if possible, for more gathers in the finished project. On the two long sides of each panel, fold over the edge 1/2” and then fold it again. Press with an iron, if necessary to hold it in place, and pin about 6” apart. Sew a seam along the fold very close to the edge.

On the two short sides of each panel, use a seam gauge to fold over 4" and press in place.

Fold the top edge of the fold over 1/2” and pin in place. Sew a seam along the fold very close to the edge, backstitching at the beginning and end of the seam. Remove any excess threads.    

Assemble the Frame

Insert one of the 3’ PVC pieces into each pocket at the top and bottom of each of the three fabric panels. Set aside.

Lay four of the 6’ pipes on a flat surface. Measure 6” from one end and make a mark with a marker. Make another mark 6” from the opposite end and lined up evenly with the first mark. Lay a hinge on the pipe with a hole over the mark and the unmarked hole away from the closest end. Make a mark in the second hole with the marker. Repeat for the other end. Pre-drill screw holes at the marks with a drill bit just slightly smaller than the screws for the hinges.

Add a cap to one end of each of the 1’ PVC pipes using a rubber mallet. Add a T to the opposite ends of the 1' pipes, and then add the 6’ pieces to the opposite end of the T pieces. Add an elbow to the top of each 6’ pipe pointing in the same direction as the open end of the T at the other end. One of the panels should be constructed with two 6’ pieces that have pre-drilled holes facing outward. The other two panels should have one 6’ piece without pre-drilled holes and one with pre-drilled holes with the holes facing outward. Point the elbows toward each other and insert the PVC pipes that are in the fabric panels. Tap them with the mallet to secure in place.

Stand the panels up side by side against a wall. Place the panel with holes on both sides in the middle. Place the other two panels so that the holes point toward the middle panel. Attach two sections together by screwing the hinges in place at the pre-drilled holes on the top and bottoms of the pipes. Repeat for the other side with the hinge facing the other direction.

Finishing Touches

Stand the screen in place slightly bent at the hinges for stability. Distribute the fabric gathers evenly on the top and bottom of each panel.