Need Ideas: My balcony

[RyanAB]

Hey everyone,

I need some input here on my balcony... As you can see it is fairly large and open and really perfect for nude use (covered up of course!). I have been covering the open part of the railing with some heavy duty cardboard material, but the problem is that it rattles and blows over 90% of the time. Any ideas on what I can do here? You guys are the experts!! :)

PS. I was outside yesterday catching some rays and reading Going Natural magazine, and woke up to the snow... Gotta love winter.

R

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/gsr_ryan/P3080230.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/gsr_ryan/P3080231.jpg

[Boreas]

What if you weaved some fabric in between the slats.....you know, like one of those old lawn chairs. If you took some strips of fabric and wove them through, you could add some colour and style, while also blocking the view.

We got a whole thwack of snow yesterday and it is bloody cold here today in the BC Peace. I understand the windchill is -36 today. Yikes!

[RyanAB]

That is a fantastic idea! I didn't even think about weaving something through the rails.

-36, eh? -27 w/ wind chill here... can't wait until summer!!

[Naturist Mark]

It doesn't look like there is anyone nearby who can see into your balcony. Just people from far away buildings with binoculars or telescopes. I'd have to say that if they are looking with magnification, they are by definition peeping toms - and can't complain.

Still, for your own modesty (perhaps you don't want to end up on an internet voyeur site?) all you really need to do is break up the view, you don't really need to completely block it, as no one is going to be right on the other side "peeking through the fence".

You could place some lattice against the rail, or even weave some long slats (plastic or veneer) or even fake ivy back and forth between the fence rails. It wouldn't be much affected by the wind, and would even let you see through a bit.

[NudeAl]

Here is my suggestion, I would look around at a home improvement store for a bamboo screen, they often sell these as a shade or awning screen. Then I would just measure to fit and cut out the pattern I needed to block just enough from top rail to bottom, leaving a gap at the bottom to allow wind an escape route. I would use fine gage wire to secure it to the metal rails. If you have strong wind events in your area consider adding some thin strips of wood like lath and drilling through them and secure the wire through them effectively sandwiching the bamboo material between the wood and the steel railing, this would help prevent ripping up the bamboo which may not be strong enough to resist high winds. Hope this helps good luck.

[Boreas]

Hi Ryan, make sure you post a picture of your solution!

[Sanslines]

The solution is.................to pack up and move to Florida where you can sunbathe year round.

[NudePete]

How about forgetting the balcony and opting for a nearby C.O. beach, nude swim club or naturist resort?

(a rhetorical question of course...the balcony is so much more convenient.)

You might ask the building manager if they would be open to you getting some nude sun time on the roof...more sun but probably more wind too.

[nudeM]

I don't see any problems with your balcony, unless you have a building directly across the street. If not, then if you just sit down, you should be in the clear. Looks like the sides are pretty secured from 'prying' eyes. Lots of luck.:smoking:

[Beach Boy]

Consider a lattice.

My association permits them on balconies and they actually look good.

Not sure how much they are - but they'll give you privacy.

Take care and good luck!

[OZJames]

Looks too "B" cold for my liking :icicles: - how about walling in the whole balcony and installing central heating :laugh:

Seriously though, can you buy solid plastic sheets that will weave into the handrailing ?

[Nude and Tanned]

Hey everyone,

I need some input here on my balcony... As you can see it is fairly large and open and really perfect for nude use (covered up of course!). I have been covering the open part of the railing with some heavy duty cardboard material, but the problem is that it rattles and blows over 90% of the time. Any ideas on what I can do here? You guys are the experts!! :)

PS. I was outside yesterday catching some rays and reading Going Natural magazine, and woke up to the snow... Gotta love winter.

R

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/gsr_ryan/P3080230.jpg

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w52/gsr_ryan/P3080231.jpg

Ryan,
I think I would buy some yardage of canvas. Cut it to the size of the inside of the fenced area and turn down the edges and put grommets into the cloth at the double edges. Secure the edges to the top and side rails with nylon twine. This will last for years. If it becomes soiled you can put it in a commercial washer and wash it. Canvas comes in many colors and can be taken down easily if you decide to move in the future.

[RalphVa]

I second the notion on the lattice. I attached it to the upper parts of my fence in Baton Rouge, to extend the fence's height. You could easily clamp it to the rails you have there.

[paul1961]

Before investing much in this project, make sure your building does not have restrictions regarding this. (Most do).

Use a Sunbrella fabric awing material. There is a wide variety colors and patterns.

http://www.sunbrella.com/showroom/

It comes in 46" widths. A bit of width is lost when the edges are folded over an sewed. Side grommets are placed. The ends will also be folded over and grommet placed. Fabrics generally run 12-15 dollars per linear yard. You then lace it to your railing.

Contact a couple of local awning companies. Their cost with labor would run about $175 for 8 yards of coverage. With markup, probably $350.

[David77]

For privacy, vertically, I use a green or brown camping tarp that would normally be used under the floor of a long tent. It is reasonably inexpensive and can be purchased in the camping department of nearly any discount store.

[walter05]

I would measure the railings. I would measure width and height. I would then go to you nearest Home Depot.

(I think there is one on Lawrence) If not a Home Depot, a similar store.

I would go to the area where the lawn chairs, etc. are. I would tell them that you like to sun bathe and sometimes your wife or girlfriend likes to join you. You would like something that lets the light in put gives you privacy.

They will probably be able to recommend something that is available in Toronto and should work.

Then if you want to check with your building association, that is not a bad idea.

It is pretty common for people to want to sunbathe on a balcony. Many in Toronto take vacations to other places and don't want to arrive with white skin. It is also common for women to sunbathe topless and both genders to sunbathe nude or in thongs. These are not purely nudist activities.

Your question for the Home Depot and building association should be understood and not be a cause for embarrassment.

Walter

[Boreas]

They will probably be able to recommend something that is available in Toronto and should work.

Did you notice how far RyanAB is from Toronto? ;)

[walter05]

I looked again and he is from Calgary.

Sorry about that.

Then if I recall, there was a Home Depot on 85th St.

Walter

[mmacdonaldca]

I had a similar problem with my back deck before putting up a privacy wall. WHat I found worked really well and was super cheap...beach mats. They are made from straw, the right size and easy to weave through your railling. You can use some twine or wire to secure it in place. Plus it actually looks quite nice.

[Agde]

Places like eSports have ready-to-use privacy screens (http://www.esportsonline.com/?sitemid=1196344&websrc=BC_1196344). These are also available via Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s.html?ie=UTF8&node=3375301&brand=ACADIAN). You usually get way more than you need -- we got one roll that was good for three families! :) Wind screens (http://www.amazon.com/Sport-Design-Privacy-Screen-Breaker/dp/B001B82UZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1236724050&sr=1-1) also work well to weave through balcony rails, and can serve double-duty for beach use.

[FireProf]

Here's another idea. This is sunscreen for patio covers but could be used to give you that privacy you're looking for and not completely upstructing your view. This is from Home Depot, you probably don't have one of those in your area but a hardware store would carry this and in smaller sizes for alot less money. It could be attached to the railing with electrical ties and since it comes in a few colors, black being one of them, it will also blend with the rail color.

FP

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?keyword=sun%2Bscreen&langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[matthew_starsberg]

i wouldn't really bother with a cover up-- it seems very private...but if you had to put something, i'd say a plastic tarp...or just a ripped up garbage bag ;)

[Franklyminim]

Whu not grow your own screen? Try peas or beans against the railings. That way you'll get some added benefit from the screen.

[missyd]

My husband mounted roll up plastic blinds to the railing of our balcony. When I want to sit out, I unroll them and the weight of the unrolled portion of the blind keeps the wind from blowing them up. It works great!