Balconies are intended for relaxation. Nevertheless, many people have to endure the stares of strangers because often only railings or transparent materials such as glass are used for the parapet. Many side barriers to neighbors are clearly too short. This problem can be solved with balcony privacy screens, as they are selected based on the conditions that the balconies present. The following sections will introduce you to 10 balcony privacy screen ideas that are suitable for a wide variety of starting situations.
Slat elements as privacy protection
The classic privacy screen from the garden is also suitable for balconies. These are elements with a frame and numerous slats that are permanently attached. Since they are usually quite high, they are particularly suitable as side privacy protection. Smaller elements can still be easily placed on the railing. Select the items according to the size and material. Weatherproof plastics such as WPC or robust woods such as acacia are recommended.
As an alternative, you can take bamboo sticks and place them in a bucket with gravel. Fix the individual rods together with wire and in no time you can enjoy a side privacy screen that can be decoratively integrated.
Very simple: privacy mats
In addition to robust elements made of wood or plastic, you can use privacy mats, which are available in a variety of materials. Privacy screen mats have the great advantage that they are not rigid and can be attached to a railing without much effort. This requires cable ties or wire. It is also possible to thread them through the railing and fix them at the beginning and end. If you don't need them for the railing, the mats are available in frames as privacy protection. These can be positioned anywhere. They are most commonly available in the following materials:
- Willow rods
- Bamboo
- Seagrass
- Reed
- Plastic
Attach the mats so that they do not touch the floor of the balcony. The moisture could cause the materials to mold or rot.
Tip:
If the balcony is not too big, you can use a balcony blind, for example made of bamboo, instead of the mats. These are installed where needed and can be rolled up or unrolled as needed.
Plants as privacy protection
Potted plants are a classic when it comes to balcony privacy. The following are often used for this:
- Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)
- Yew (Taxus baccata)
- Elephant grass (Miscanthus giganteus)
- Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
- Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
- Trees of Life (Thuja)
- Privet (Ligustrum vulgare)
- Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
- Horsetail (Equisetum japonicum)
- Umbrella bamboo (Fargesia murielae)
- Holly (Ilex)
The individual species are suitable for different purposes on the balcony. Wisteria, for example, is ideal as a privacy screen for railings due to its overhanging growth, while umbrella bamboo, arborvitae and elephant grass are ideal for placing in pots. Think about how you will use plants beforehand.
Trellis and climbing plants
If you don't have enough space for potted plants, use climbing plants instead. You should use a trellis with a pot as a climbing aid, as these are much more stable and make cultivating the plant easier. The spacing of the trellis should not be too large so that the plants can fill the gaps to protect themselves from prying eyes. Choose climbing plants that are easy to control and do not spread to the house wall like ivy (Hedera helix):
- American Climbing Trumpet (Campsis radicans)
- Blue passion flower (Passiflora caerulea)
- The Longer The Longer (Lonicera caprifolium)
- Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
- Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)
- Climbing roses (pink)
- Clutch knotweed (Fallopia baldschuanica)
- Black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata)
- Clematis
- Wild vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)
As you can see, there is a large selection of beautiful plants available to you. With them you can add attractive accents to your oasis of well-being.
Plastic privacy screen
Plastic as privacy protection is an effective option if you want to rely on low weight, different colors or coatings. In most cases, plastic privacy screens are roll items that you can cut to size as desired and attach to the railing using cable ties or wire. Also available are individual panels that you can attach or hang on the parapet. Use the following plastics to take advantage of the best properties:
- Polyrattan
- WPC
- PE-HD
When choosing, pay attention to weather-resistant plastic that has UV protection. On balconies, the individual elements are exposed to the sun, which can lead to discoloration.
Awning fabric or canvas
Another popular idea for privacy on balconies is the use of fabric. Specifically, awning fabric and canvas can be used for this purpose as they are opaque. Some products also offer UV protection, which means the material can also be used as sun protection. If you choose this idea, the selected fabric must meet certain characteristics:
- water-repellent
- dirt-repellent
- not too hard
This prevents the cloths from becoming susceptible to mold and algae and from continuing to be usable. You can either use the cloths with a frame as a side privacy screen or attach them to the parapet using cable ties.
Note:
Awning fabric is ideal as a side privacy screen for balconies as it can be cut to the desired size. This means it can be easily adjusted to the required size.
Elegant: Screen
Appealing, romantic or with an Asian flair. On balconies that are not too windy, a screen can be enough to protect the front and sides from view. It doesn't matter whether the panels are made of fabric, wood or another material. Due to their height, they must not be set up in harsh weather conditions, otherwise they could fall over. In the worst case, they may even blow away if the frame is too light. The best thing about a screen is the numerous designs that are offered. With them you can use a privacy screen that exactly suits your taste and can be set up in just a few moments. Even bamboo screens are available that are completely opaque.
Seating as a balcony privacy screen
This idea is particularly recommended for balcony railings that are transparent or have struts. Place a piece of furniture directly in front of the railing so that the seat faces the wall of the house. In most cases, the balconies have to be slightly larger for this purpose, as simple garden furniture is not sufficient to provide privacy. Outdoor sofas with high backs are well suited as they are high enough and ideally made of plastic. If your balconies have windows, you don't need to use outdoor furniture.
Vertical Gardens
If you don't have enough space for classic plant baskets, you can rely on vertical gardens. The concept comes from urban gardening and makes clever use of the available space. Vertical plant boxes with a base are particularly suitable for privacy. They can simply be placed in the desired location and filled with plants. They just shouldn't be set up in the windiest place, otherwise they could tip over.
DIY: Euro pallet privacy screen
As a DIY alternative to the inspirations mentioned, you can build your own privacy screen out of Euro pallets. Due to their dimensions, Euro pallets are very suitable for small balconies, especially if you want to make a railing opaque. Beforehand, measure how large the area is that should be covered and compare it with the typical dimensions of wooden pallets:
- Length: 1,200 mm
- Width: 800, 1,000 or 1,200 mm
- Height: 144 mm
Since the heights of balcony railings are regulated by law in Germany, in most cases you only need a Euro pallet as privacy protection:
- Fall heightup to 10 m: railing height from 90 cm
- Fall heightfrom 10 m: railing height from 110 cm
Depending on how long your balcony is, you will need a corresponding number of pallets. The big advantage: you can easily shorten pallets with a saw or connect them using additional slats. Alternatively, you can paint them a matching color and hang plant baskets between the boards using hooks. They are attached either with hooks or wire. They are also suitable as side privacy screens.
Fast & cheap
If you are looking for a quick solution without much effort, you should choose a parasol with a tilt option. This can be adjusted to the desired height, does not allow unwanted glances through and can be quickly assembled and dismantled.
