Lattice Panel Room Divider Ideas?

[jsjordan]

LOML has decided she wants a room divider made from a lattice-style material. We are "negotiating" over the design now as she does not want the traditional folding type. I'm thinking "wall" panels like are used in an office environment for the basic design but shes not quite sold on that idea.

Did I mention it needs to be off-white to match the exisitng room color? Most of the lattice I've seen is pretty rough and I'd sure like to avoid as much sanding as possible but I think painting is inevitable.

I'm curious if anyone here has built such a thing? Any tips on materials you fine folks could share also would be much appreciated.

[Travis Porter]

I haven't built one, but I think I have seen lattice premade out of vinyl or plastic in a white color.

[DaveO]

You could go with a Shoji screen look, and use shop-built hardwood lattice and a off-white opaque acrylic sheet in between -




Just a thought


Dave

[Gotcha6]

Does she want it in a woven style? If so, I'd make a frame with an inside dado & use screen lattice laced around a center post.

[jsjordan]

Thanks for the ideas guys. I tried selling the shoji screen no dice. What she wants is the diagonal look of traditional lattice in a flat panel (not folding) painted to match the wall (off-white.)


I hadn't thought of the vinyl lattice, that would work well. thanks Travis!

Dennis - I'm not visualinzing the woven style you are referring to. Any chance you could point me to a picture?

Now I'm thinking a simple wooden frame (similar to the outter shoji screen) with a centered dado sized to fit the vinyl lattice. The vinyl eliminates the sanding and all I need to do is paint the framed and cross-supports to match.

hmmm, where did I put that sketchpad....

[Gotcha6]

Sounds like you've got the idea. You'd just use one vertical slat in the center and alternate the horizontal slats around it to make the 'weave'. Make a holding jig for the side rails & start inserting the slats into the dado from the top. Glue up the top after the last slat is in place. Make the dado slightly larger than the slats to allow for their angled lay. For a wider screen (>2feet) you'd probably need to use more verticals.
I'd think diagonal slats could also be done but it would involve a lot more miter cutting. If you want to keep it simple to build, just buy some of the vinyl lattice panels at the BORG & cut to size. Of course, this wouldn't be completely opaque like a dressing screen.

[jsjordan]

Doh! I see what you are talking about now Dennis. That should work great and provide some additional stability. Thanks much!

[sapwood]

Joel,
I've used the plastic lattice for outdoor stuff. IIRC Lowes had a better selection of colors than HD in my area. It's great for outdoors since you never have to paint it. Here's Lowes 4x8 white lattice. The "bright white" only comes in 2x8 size.

Good luck,
Roger