Outdoor curtains and drapes can be bought at most home centers, hardware stores, and also at many general retailers. Add a dash of color to your drapes by gathering them together with a length of ribbon. You can even swap out ribbon colors for a more festive balcony during holidays. [1] X Research source
Mosquito curtains are usually made of durable, machine washable fabric. If you want an enclosure that’s inexpensive and resilient, these are a great option. Because mosquito curtains are usually lightweight, light colors may be semi-transparent. If privacy is your goal, choose a dark color for your mosquito curtains. If you like the look of outdoor drapes but hate being pestered by bugs, layer mosquito curtains inside the outdoor drapes. [2] X Research source
If you live in an especially windy area, you may want to install adhesive Velcro strips at the sides and bottom of the curtain to hold it more firmly in place. When bad weather is on its way, roll up your bamboo blinds. Even well-installed blinds may break in high winds, driving rain, and hail.
Screen material can be bought at most hardware stores and home centers. Tight weave screens work best at keeping out insects. Staples can leave unsightly holes behind when the screen is removed. If you have expensive woodwork, you might not want to use this technique.
Although there are many ways you might attach the metal strips, strong glue or mounting brackets work well, are easy to install, and are relatively inexpensive. For your magnets to stick to the strips, the metal will need to be made of iron, nickel, or some other kind of magnetic metal. When in doubt, check metal with a magnet. [5] X Research source
Small to moderate sized balconies will likely only need hooks at the four corners of the balcony. Larger balconies should space eye hooks about every foot (30. 5 cm) or so. Zip-ties can be used to support the netting and keep it from bunching up. Simply add the ties at regular intervals along the top of the dowel and the attached netting. If your netting isn’t long enough, you can zip-tie segments together to make larger pieces. [6] X Research source
Screen porch awnings are a great idea if your balcony gets a lot of sunlight. If you want to be able to control your balcony’s shading, choose a retractable awning. Most screen porch awnings come with mounting brackets and fasteners that you can easily install yourself to hang the awning. Inexpensive awnings usually cost a few hundred dollars, but nicer models can cost as much as $3000. On average, expect to pay around $1500. [7] X Research source
Some panels are screwed into place, others are fastened with caulk. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended installation procedure for the best results. A normal porch outfitted with premade screen panels will cost about $500 if you install them yourself.
Shutters are one of the best ways to block the wind on your balcony. If your balcony tends to be windy, shutters might be the perfect choice. Buy shutters at hardware stores and home centers, or try your hand at making your own. Depending on the material and quality of the shutters, prices can vary greatly. Typical shutters usually end up costing about $20 per foot.
