Bamboo as a privacy screen on the balcony: attach the bamboo fence in 3 steps

Modern architecture is clear, light and transparent. Unfortunately, this attitude repeatedly collides with the wishes of the residents. Many a tenant or owner would like a significant plus in privacy when it comes to balconies. A solution that creates an effective privacy screen and at the same time supports a cozy and friendly ambience is a bamboo fence. Mounted in front of the actual railing, it protects against unwanted glances and offers a touch of vacation and nature. We explain how assembly works in simple steps.

Bamboo mat

Bamboo is a natural and at the same time extremely resilient material. Its properties ensure that a privacy screen made of bamboo is ideally suited to harmonizing a natural material and a technically flawless solution:

• Very straight and even growth
• Low dead weight
• High dimensional stability
• High weather resistance
• No bark that peels off when dry
• Due to the very hard and smooth surface, there is hardly any risk of injury
• Restrained and at the same time natural look

When creating the mats, the individual bamboo sticks are connected either by wire or by textile fasteners. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Both of them, on the other hand, are the fact that the connections between the bamboo tubes are far less resilient than the individual tubes themselves. At the same time, however, these continuous connections over the entire length of the bamboo mat are the best Starting point for a solid attachment, so that this is the weakest link and the most suitable suspension point collide. Therefore, when choosing the suitable bamboo mats, the following points should be considered:

• Do not make the connections too loose, otherwise individual stalks of the bamboo can slip out

With wire as the connecting material:

• Do not use too thin a wire, as otherwise it may corrode and break too quickly
• No wire that is too rigid, as otherwise breaks can occur when the bamboo mat is rolled up and down

For textile fasteners:

• Natural fibers are usually more visually appealing, but less durable
• Synthetic fibers are weather-resistant, but may not be permanently UV-resistant

Fasten the bamboo fence

Explained step by step

1. Measure

Bamboo mats are not available in any length, but they are generous Roll goods. Before installation, a measurement on the balcony should be used to determine how it is to be cut. The actual work does not have to be done on the balcony, but can be done conveniently in the garage or in the basement.

tip: Even if you are initially inclined to work with as few individual pieces as possible, it is worthwhile Measure for a consideration of how the existing railing can be covered with as little waste as possible can. Under certain circumstances, an additional division can mean that one less roll is required and that leftovers and costs are significantly lower. Incidentally, those who first measure and then buy can save themselves having to go to the hardware store twice.

Required tools:

• Folding rule or Tape measure
• Pad and writing materials

Proceed:

• Measure the length and height of the individual railing segments
• add a few centimeters for corner formations
• Record the development of the railing
• Transfer the length and height of the bamboo fence to the sketch and add the joint points or Define cut edges

Attention: Since the bamboo fence is only fastened selectively, it should not sit too tightly on the railing. In general, a few centimeters should be added after measuring to ensure a loose fit. A few extra centimeters are worthwhile for corners. Otherwise it can lead to tension in the bamboo mat, which can lead to unsightly distortions or holes in the structure at the fastening points!

2. Cropping

The bamboo mat delivered in a rolled-up "endless" shape is now cut to size based on the dimensions determined. Ideally, this activity takes place in a place where the mat can be worked on lying flat on the floor. In this way, compressions, folds, etc. avoid and the desired level is actually achieved.

Required tools:

• Folding rule or tape measure
• Scissors or pliers
• possibly. Broom and shovel for clippings

Cutting the length:

• Roll out the mat loosely
• Determine the desired length with a yardstick or tape measure
• Cut the connections of the bamboo sticks with scissors (textile connection) or pliers (wire connections)

Cutting the height:

• Roll out the mat loosely and ideally align it with a wall or something similar so that all bars are flush
• Determine the desired height and mark it with a string or wooden slat
• Shorten the sticks with secateurs or secateurs
• Sweep up the cut pieces of bamboo and dispose of them

tip: Depending on the height, the bamboo mat is connected with several fixings. When cutting the height, it can happen that a connection is cut off at the same time. In this case, the bamboo fence loses its cohesion because of the long free rod ends. Here it can make sense to shorten from both sides instead and keep as many connections as possible.

3. Attach

Now it is time to attach the cut mat segments to the balcony railing. When attaching, it can be useful to work in pairs. One person can hold the mat while the other person attaches it without pulling or tensioning the material.

Required tools:

• Wire and pliers
• alternatively cable ties and scissors
• Wood for underlay

Proceed:

• Roll up the mat and only use approx. Unroll 50 centimeters to attach the attachment
• Place wood under the roll until the desired distance to the balcony floor is reached
• Attach the mat at the continuous connections to the vertical railing posts with wire or cable ties
• Tighten the fastening firmly, but not too tight, to avoid unnecessary tension
• Cut off protruding wire or cable tie ends to avoid the risk of injury

tip: Even if it is actually sufficient to fasten the bamboo fence at the top and bottom connection on the railing, it makes sense to use other connections for fastening. The pressure from its own weight, wind pressure, etc. more evenly distributed and the load on the individual points is lower.

Alternatively, attach bamboo sticks

Again and again it can happen that the attachment of the bamboo as a privacy screen only works to a limited extent. Depending on the shape of the balcony railing, it can be difficult to attach the mat to the connections of the bamboo sticks. In these cases, the privacy screen can also be attached directly to the bamboo sticks. However, you should then make sure to create more attachment points in order to keep the load on the individual bamboo stick as low as possible. It can also be useful to take two or even three rods together and wrap the fastening around several rods.