EZ Louver Blog

How to Build a Louvered Project (The Easy Way)

Written by Karen O'Neal | Jan 27, 2026 11:29:36 PM

Building a louvered privacy screen used to be a project people avoided because it required a lot of specialized jigs and “perfect” carpentry. It involved too much measuring, too much room for error, and the fear that it wouldn't look quite right once finished.

 

 

 

A louvered fence, the hard way.

Cut small pieces of wood (called jigs or preachers) to attach to the post between each louver slat. It's estimated that building a louvered fence through this kind of carpentry takes 60% longer than using EZ Louver brackets. 

 

We designed the EZ Louver bracket to take the guesswork out of the job. It’s built for pros, meaning it’s tough and reliable, but it’s made so anyone can get a perfect result on the first try.

The goal is simple: create a louvered project that looks incredible, provides total privacy, and stands the test of time. 

Why Louvered?

There are a few reasons people build louvered fences. First of all, because they are aesthetically pleasing; they are stunning, and unusual. They can be used as an accent, like a fence topper, or to separate one part of a yard from another, or as a backyard entrance.

Four-foot tall, nine-foot long louvered sections, separating the front yard from the street.

 

Sometimes people want a louvered solution to allow the air to flow, and equipment (like HVAC units or pool equipment) to breathe. Other times it's to protect something, like a carport for a car, or a shed around a wood pile. Louvered solutions are great for creating a private space on a porch or in a yard. They can also be used to hide an eyesore, like trash bins, a compost pile, a propane tank or other equipment.

With our brackets, you don’t have to do the complicated math, and the accuracy is built in. The bracket sets the angle for you, ensuring you get the privacy you need while still letting the breeze through.

Choose Your Materials

  • Posts: Most folks use 4x4 wood posts, but steel or aluminum posts work great too.
  • The Slats: Wood 1”x6” boards are the most common, but pickets or 5/4” deck boards work too. So does vinyl, aluminum, or even composite.
  • The Hardware: Use stainless steel screws. They won’t rust or leave ugly stains on your boards over time. Since finding the right screws isn’t easy, we offer the best screws available.

Keep Your Lines Sharp

On longer sections, wood can sometimes have a mind of its own. We created the EZ Louver Spacer to solve this. It’s a simple add-on that screws between the slats mid-span. It keeps every board perfectly aligned and prevents twisting or warping so your screen looks as sharp five years from now as it does the day you build it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spacers installed between slats. Set of five spacers plus screws. Close-up of spacers between slats.

 

How Many Do I Need? (The Quick Math)

Don't let the ordering process slow you down. Here is the simplest way to figure out your shopping list:

  • Step 1: How tall is your louvered section?
  • Step 2: Divide the height by two, and that’s the number of pairs you need per section. 
  • Step 3: Add the number of pairs per section to get your total.
  • Step 4: If your section is wider than 4 feet, grab an EZ Louver Spacer Set for the middle.

Example: If you’re building a 4-foot tall screen between two posts, you’ll need two brackets for the left post and two brackets for the right post. That’s two pairs!

Here's a chart for quick reference:

Section Height Brackets Needed (Left + Right) Total Pairs to Order
2 feet tall 1 left + 1 right 1 Pair
4 feet tall 2 left + 2 right 2 Pairs
6 feet tall 3 left + 3 right 3 Pairs
8 feet tall 4 left + 4 right 4 Pairs

 

Tell Us What You’ve Built! 

We love seeing how these brackets turn a “someday” project into a finished one. Whether you’re hiding the trash bins or building a backyard sanctuary, tell us how you used it and send over a photo. Your project might give the next person the idea they’ve been looking for!