Image by Deedster from Pixabay
Lattice on a fence around your garden or as paneling alongside your porch or carport lends an ambiance that utilitarian wood structures can’t quite render: a romantic, charming frame to showcase outdoor features. Consider using your spare pieces of lattice to hide a large, whirring metal air conditioning unit. Get creative with shapes and styles to fit your yard. The only real constraints are that it sufficiently blocks the unit from view and opens or moves out of the way for maintenance or repair. It should also be noted that the airflow from the fan should not be restricted.
Create a fence out of sheets of lattice. Finish the ends by framing the sheets in slats that are sturdy but still thin enough to complement the size of the lattice crosses. To connect the sheets and provide strength and direction for your fence, get a fence post for each joined spot. If you select wooden fence posts, you can stain them and the lattice to match. Vinyl posts generally come in neutral colors you can match with paint. Shape your lattice pieces and posts into a straight fence, or a three-sided one to enclose the unit from view but allow easy access in back.
If your unit is situated in a place protected from wind, you could use your framed lattice sheets to build a room divider for a less permanent solution that you can change as you wish. Attach the edges of the sheets’ slat frames with weather-resistant hinges. Adopt the classic zig-zag formation to block the unit from view, or bend it around the unit.
For something smaller and tailored to your unit’s size, get its dimensions and construct a lattice box around it, leaving plenty of room on each side for airflow. Trim the lattice sheets to size and frame with heavier slats one inch thick. Connect the corners using nails or wood screws small enough that they won’t split the wood. When making the lid, be sure its width is enough that the edges rest on the box opening. The box completely hides your unit and the lid easily lifts off when needed.
Once you finish building your air conditioning unit concealer, stain or paint it and then cover with a weather-resistant coating. It goes without saying that lattice is made for vine and flower display, and this would beautifully accent any of the above projects.
As a lifelong resident of Litchfield County, Heather is quite familiar with the beautiful Northwest Corner of Connecticut. In partnership with her husband at Turri, Inc., in Torrington, she managed and grew a 30+ employee electrical contracting firm that served both the residential, commercial and industrial industries. Currently residing in Goshen she hopes to transfer and utilize many of the skills she learned in contracting to the real estate industry.
Knowing how a vital community relies on its volunteers, Heather spent many hours in several capacities at local organizations that she admires. She serves on the Woodridge Lake Finance Committee and House Committee, Victoria Court Condominium Association (secretary) and Educating Canines Assisting with Disabilities (volunteer and nursery mom). Heather has also been involved with Goshen Community Care & Hospice (president of board of directors), Warner Theatre (board of directors), LARC (volunteer), Festival of Trees (founder), the Northwest Chamber of Commerce, and Goshen Business Circle. Heather also served as Vice President of Woodridge Lake’s Board of Directors.
In Heather’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with family usually in an active way by playing tennis, golf, boating, hiking and skiing.
Heather is honored to be a part of the E.J. Murphy team and hopes you will contact her with any of your real estate needs.
