Balcony privacy

[Anniez]

Everyone can see into our lounge area from the street. We are renting whilst we are building so we can only do so much to fix the problem. I thought if we could put some sort of screen on the balcony that would shield the view. The problem is we can't attach anything to the wall. Any ideas on what we could do so we can have some privacy!

[jennymbutler]

Maybe try frosting your windows using window film? Easy to apply and remove.

Young House Love featured a great tutorial on this the other day. (http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/12/tackling-the-basement-chapter-nine/) Obviously they are based in the US but you can get all the parts your need at Bunnings or Mitre 10 [or support a local hardware store if there are any left!] or at IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/30079228).

I really like how Anna at Door Sixteen (http://www.doorsixteen.com/2008/09/05/windows-and-doors/) left a gap around her bathrooms windows and this this a cute DIY option (http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/look/look-little-greens-window-film-033195). For inspiration, these are great (http://www.brumebasics.co.uk/default.cfm)!

Good luck!

[Anniez]

What a good idea, I didn't even think of that. I didn't realize it was removable.
Do you think it would look alright if I only covered the bottom 2/3rds of the sliding doors? I still want to be able to see the sky and the trees outside, so I don't feel to closed in. I had thought of putting bamboo fencing stuff around the edge of the balcony but i don't know how to fix it to the balcony as I am not allowed to drill holes or anything. Any other ideas on how to attach bamboo fencing?

[jennymbutler]

I think it would be fine to only do 2/3 in window film.

For the bamboo on the balcony, I think that cable ties (http://www.packright.co.uk/media/gbu0/cat/cableties.gif) would be the easiest way to attach and remove. Our local hardware store has a reasonable range of colours so it should be too hard to find one that blends in with the bamboo.

[Anniez]

I can't believe how easy a solution using cable ties will be. I should have thought of that. We are going to Bunnings today to buy the bamboo and the cable ties. I think I will put some pots at the bottom of the bamboo to add some greenery. It should look tropical and much better than everyone staring in at us.:D

[Lanne]

We used zip ties (i assume they are the same thing)... to do the same thing with some shade stuff. It was a two person job to get the fence portion flat and tight.. slide the tie through, and then around the rails of the balcony. We tied it straight along the middle on the first balcony (we had 3 to do). and it lasted about a month LOL. The other two we offset the ties.. top and bottom.. so if you connected the dots you would have a zig zag pattern (make sense?) that worked brilliantly!

I would also suggest using heavy pots in the front - if it does break off in a storm etc the pots will help to hold it until you can deal with it.

It is worth checking a couple of things before you do it...

Will the bamboo 'run' when it rains .. staining the flooring.. some of the reed/grass/bamboo fences do.

Secondly are you breaking any council laws or bi-laws of the apartment you are in? Some don't allow you to do those sorts of things... and they strictly enforce it.