Perforated Privacy Screen - Ecolab
General Contractor: Kraus-Anderson
Project: Eco Lab Daycare Privacy Screen
Location: 80 7th St W, St Paul, MN 55102
Product: Nova Privacy Screen
The Challenge: Creating Privacy and Safety at Daycare Playground
Ecolab required a permanent outdoor privacy screen solution for St. Paul campus daycare facility. The existing enclosure—approximately 320 linear feet of picket fencing supplemented with tarp material—was intended as a temporary measure and did not meet long-term expectations for durability, safety, or visual quality. In addition, the fence was installed atop hollow concrete masonry units, creating structural and alignment challenges for any replacement system. The client needed a solution that enhanced privacy, integrated seamlessly with the site conditions, and elevated the overall architectural appearance.
The Solution: Custom Outdoor Privacy Screen
StellarCraft collaborated with Kraus-Anderson to design and fabricate a custom outdoor privacy screen system using the StellarCraft Nova Privacy Screen. The final scope included 58 perforated aluminum fence panels and 3 custom gates.
Key fabrication and material details included:
Fence Panels:
- 1/8″ thick 5052 aluminum perforated panels
- Circular perforation pattern with a 7.4% open area
- 3″ welded return at the top of each panel for added rigidity
Gates:
- Three 6061 aluminum gates were custom fabricated into the privacy screen
All panels were punched on StellarCraft’s TruPunch 5000 and finished with an AAMA 2604–compliant powder coat in Arcadia Silver by PPG. Multiple finish samples were reviewed with the design team prior to final approval to ensure alignment with the architectural vision.
Due to the hollow CMU substrate, StellarCraft had to develop an on-site solution involving anchored and welded aluminum baseplates, providing a secure mounting system for the 9-foot-tall aluminum posts while maintaining proper alignment and structural integrity.
The Result: Privacy and Protection for Daycare Playground
Ecolab’s daycare is located in the heart of the city, requiring a secure, safe, and stylish protective screening solution. The completed outdoor privacy screen satisfied both functional and aesthetic requirements. The project was delivered successfully despite challenging site conditions, and both Ecolab and Kraus-Anderson expressed satisfaction with the final result. This installation demonstrates StellarCraft’s ability to combine precise fabrication, collaborative problem-solving, and architectural detailing to create long-lasting exterior solutions.