Drag to turn it. 3D model render, drawn from the plan itself; photos of the finished piece are coming soon.
Slat Bin Enclosure
A modern bin enclosure in the style of the $500–700 store-bought ones: horizontal cedar pickets with even 1/2-inch gaps over black-painted posts, black T-hinges and a gate caster under each door. Each bay takes a 96-gallon cart: lift the lid to drop in a bag, swing the door open on trash day. The plan includes three versions, for 1, 2 or 3 carts, each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide.
- Skill
- Maker · Level 2
- Build time
- About 10 hours
- Size
- 76¼" × 39¾" × 52⅛"W × D × H
- Lumber
- 44 pickets, 3 4x4s, 6 2x4s
- 2 carts76¼ × 39¾ in
- 1 cart40½ × 39¾ in
- 3 carts112 × 39¾ in
Each with its own cut list, shopping list, PDF and 3D guide.
Build-ready or your money back. If anything in the plan doesn't work as drawn, email us within 30 days for a full refund.
You buy the materials at Home Depot, not here. Cedar: from $580.
- Printable plan and interactive 3D build guide
- One-trip Home Depot shopping list
- Yours to keep. Build it as many times as you like
77 parts for 2 carts, 8 cut lengths, all straight cuts.
Every part gets a letter you pencil on its end. The drawings, the cut list, the cutting diagrams and the 3D guide all use the same letters, so you always know exactly which board you are holding.
- DrawingsFront, side and top views with dimensions
- Cut listEvery part by letter, board and length
- Cutting diagramsWhich part comes from which picket, 2x4 and 4x4
- 9 stepsEach with time, check and common mistake
Try the build guide before you buy.
The first 2 of 9 steps are free. It’s exactly what you’ll follow in the garage, on your phone or laptop.
- Watch each step build itself, board by board, screw by screw.
- Spin and zoom the model with your finger or mouse.
- Tap any board to see its letter and cut size.
Try steps 1–2 freeOne list. One trip to Home Depot.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine fence pickets, 5/8 in. × 5-1/2 in. × 6 ft (dog-ear ends are cut off) | 44 |
| 4x4 × 10 ft pressure-treated pine post, ground contact (2 posts each) | 3 |
| 2x4 × 8 ft pressure-treated pine, #2 Prime (rails and battens) | 6 |
| 1-5/8" exterior coated screws, rated for treated lumber (pickets) | 240 (2 × 1 lb box) |
| 4" exterior structural screws (GRK RSS or SPAX), for the rails | 16 (1 × 50-pack) |
| Black T-hinges, 8 in. (2 per door) | 4 |
| Black strap hinges, 4 in., for the lids (2 per lid) | 4 |
| Gate caster wheel, black, spring-loaded (1 per door) | 2 |
| Magnetic gate catch with stop, black (1 per door) | 2 |
| Black pull handles, 6 in. (one per door, one per lid) | 4 |
| Exterior paint, satin black (posts, rails, battens) | 1 qt |
| Behr semi-transparent stain & sealer, Cedar Naturaltone | 2 qt |
- Estimated build cost
- $465–$510
- Pick #2 Prime boards and sight down each one. Take the straightest and grab one spare of each size.
- Treated pine comes wet. Stack the boards flat with scrap spacers between them, out of the sun, for 2–3 weeks before you cut. Dry boards don't shrink or twist after you build.
- Use screws labeled for treated lumber (most coated exterior screws are).
- Sand the faces and edges smooth, then stain once the wood is dry. A cedar-tone stain gives it the honey look in the photos.
- Wear a dust mask when cutting and sanding treated wood, and never burn the scraps.
Estimates based on typical Home Depot prices; your store may vary. Same cuts and same steps in either wood. The list updates with the version you pick.
9 steps · about 10 hours
- 1Cut and paint the partsFree in 3D1 hr 30 min + drying
- 2Build the two side wallsFree in 3D1 hr
- 3Stand the walls, add the middle posts and rails1 hr
- 4Clad the back45 min
- 5Build the doors1 hr
- 6Hang the doors45 min
- 7Build the lids45 min
- 8Hang the lids30 min
- 9Finish and roll the carts in1 hr + drying
Good to know
What's a Maker plan?
Our Easy Build plans keep to four cut lengths, no metal hardware to fit and ten simple steps. Maker plans go further for projects that need it: this one has more cut lengths and black hinges, casters and catches to fit. Every cut is still a straight crosscut, and every screw was checked in 3D to land in solid wood.
Which versions are in the plan?
All three: 1 cart (40½ inches wide), 2 carts (76¼ inches) and 3 carts (112 inches). Each has its own cut list, shopping list, printable PDF and 3D guide.
Will my carts fit?
Each bay is 32¼ inches wide between the posts and about 38 inches deep, and the lid sits at 51½ inches. That fits a standard 96-gallon cart (about 26-1/2 × 34 × 46-1/2 inches) with room for its lid to open. Measure your carts before you buy lumber.
Why is the frame black?
The posts, rails and battens are pressure-treated pine painted satin black in both builds. It's the modern look of the store-bought enclosures, it keeps the cost down, and only the pickets change between cedar and pine.
Can I build it in pine to save money?
Yes. The plan has a second shopping list with pressure-treated pine pickets and a cedar-tone stain. Same cuts, same steps, same hardware.
Does it need to be fixed down?
No. It's heavy and stands on its own on a level patio, pavers or packed gravel. In very windy spots, add a post base or a couple of masonry screws through the floor ties.