Use Lattice To Hide Your Air Conditioning Unit

by Ellen Garcia 02/27/2020

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.  

Privacy Fence

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. 

Room Divider

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.

Box

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.

About the Author
Author

Ellen Garcia

Ellen Garcia Broker, GRI, SRS, ABR, RSPS, SRES, RENE, MRP, LRS, LSE, LSS, AHWD, e-PROÒ Ellen believes that listening and understanding her clients' needs are the foundation of a successful business partnership. Her knowledge of the many unique communities in Fairfield County is an invaluable asset to clients new to the area, and she is able to help anyone moving to, from or within Fairfield County make an easier transition into a new home and community. For clients who are preparing to sell their homes, Ellen offers her first-hand knowledge of how to leverage the strength of a "brand" in showcasing and marketing their properties. Ellen offers a powerful advantage in bringing her skills and resources to work for her clients. With over 10 years, of full-time experience in the real estate industry, she is well-versed in the Fairfield County real estate market. Ellen has successfully completed: · Over 130 closed sales and rental transactions · Representing a dollar volume of over $65 million Ellen’s people skills lead the way in building a strong network to assist and support her clients in achieving their goals through every step of the real estate process: · Negotiations both local and global · New business development (sales & marketing) · Creative problem solving · Building partnerships · Tapping into Halstead Property’s network of 1100 agents in NYC and Lower Fairfield County Her career in Real Estate has been recognized with many awards including: "Agent of the Year” for Halstead Property Wilton and "Most Closed Sale and Listing Transactions” numerous times. Within Connecticut, Ellen has been recognized over the past several years as a "Connecticut Magazine 5 Star Realtor”. Awards 2016 & 2014 AGENT OF THE YEAR – HALSTEAD WILTON – HIGHEST GROSS SALES 2016 - 2011 CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE 5-STAR REALTOR AWARD 2016 - 2013 MOST CLOSED LISTINGS – Wilton Office 2016, 2014 - 2012 MOST CLOSED SALES – Wilton Office 2016, 2015, 2014 HALSTEAD PROPERTY PRESIDENT’S COUNCIL 2013, 2012 & 2011 HALSTEAD PROPERTY DIRECTOR’S COUNCIL 2014 HALSTEAD – PLATINUM CIRCLE 2016 HALSTEAD - GOLD CIRCEL 2015, 2013 HALSTEAD – SILVER CIRCLE 2007 COUNTRY LIVING ASSOCIATES OUTSTANDING RELOCATION SPECIALIST PRESIDENT'S AWARD (2005, 2006 & 2007). Leading Real Estate Companies of the World PREMIER CLUB – SILVER AWARD FOR REFERRAL ACHIEVEMENT (2006) Sales Associates Recognition Program Professional Associations: · Connecticut Association of Realtors (CAR) · National Association of Realtors (NAR) · Consolidated Multiple Listing Service (CMLS) · Connecticut State-wide MLS (CTMLS) · Mid-Fairfield County Association of Realtors (MFCAR) · Senior Advantage Real Estate Council (SAREC) · Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) · Seller’s Representative Specialist Council (SRS) · e-PRO Professional Designations: · BROKER · ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) · SRS (Seller’s Representative Specialist) · RENE (Real Estate Negotiation Expert) · GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) · RSPS (Resort and Second Property Specialist) · MRP (Military Relocation Professional) · SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) · LRS (LeadingRE Relocation Specialist) · LSS (LeadingRE Sales Specialist) · LSE (LeadingRE Service Expert) · AHWD (At Home with Diversity: One America) · REALTOR e-PRO · CONNECTICUT TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION