The PVC Pipe Hack That Makes Hanging Outdoor Curtains Convenient And Affordable

Curtains number among the most flexible of the many balcony privacy screen ideas that also add style to your outdoor space. Choose your preferred hue, textile type, length ... The list goes on. Plus, you can usually DIY them. While there's no denying you can get cheap curtain railings nowadays (looking at you, IKEA), they typically come in standard lengths. If you're wanting to curtain-in an entire balcony, wrap-around veranda, or covered patio, those lengths likely won't suit. You need a bespoke solution that's affordable and easy to DIY, and that's where PVC pipe comes in. All you need to do is screw some J-hooks onto the underside of your patio or balcony roof, thread (ideally) weatherproof curtains on thin PVC pipe cut to length, and mount those over the hooks. Done!

While your primary reason for installing outdoor curtains is likely the privacy they provide, there are other benefits. If your outdoor area faces south, you're blasted by the scorching summer sun all day. Even morning or afternoon sun can be a pain in the height of summer. Outdoor curtains offer much-needed shade, but they also allow you to soak up the sun on chilly winter days. Simply pull them open! They help keep the bugs at bay, and stop birds or bats from roosting in your balcony eaves. Bonus: The PVC pipe railings will last pretty much forever. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) piping is, after all, designed to withstand heat, weathering, and water. When used underground, PVC-U pipes can survive a century or more. Plus, if you decide on a different privacy solution down the line, the pipes are completely recyclable.

Outdoor curtain railings are a brilliant way you should be reusing old PVC pipes in your backyard. For this project, you need a half-inch Charlotte pipe. Up-cycling used pipe is fine — just give it a good clean before you use it. You can also buy new pipe; it's relatively inexpensive. Lowe's sells 10-foot lengths of schedule 40 PVC Charlotte pipe for just over $5. Get some pipe caps in the right size, too. Before you buy anything, measure all the areas you want to hang your curtains so you get enough length. You'll also need two or three J-hooks for each length of pipe. Amazon sells a 10-pack of white, plastic three-quarter-inch pipe hangers for almost $11 that use nails. If you want something more sturdy and attractive, go for this 30-pack of three-quarter-inch gold-hued steel J-hooks for about $17, also from Amazon.

If you're crafting a temporary patio privacy solution, pretty much any old material will do for this DIY. However, if you're hoping the curtains you create will last a while, it's better to choose weatherproof materials. Commercial outdoor curtains are typically made from synthetic materials like olefin, acrylic, or polyester. Buy pre-made drapes — for example, Wayfair has pairs of Wade Logan Franko outdoor UV protectant curtains for a little less than $17 — or, if you're handy on a sewing machine, sew your own from the same fabrics. For those on a budget, shower curtains work great. Dollar Tree's 72 x 70-inch Home Collection stylish printed shower curtains in four cute patterns will set you back just $1.25 each.

If you need to cut the pipe to length, you'll need a pipe cutter, hand saw, or powered miter saw. The first and third options will give you the cleanest cuts. A hammer and nails will work just fine to hang the plastic J-hooks, but if you've chosen to use metal hooks, an electric drill and screws are the better option. A carpenter's pencil will come in handy, too. Ready to tackle one of the most budget-friendly ways to DIY a patio enclosure? First, check your measurements once more and cut your pipe into the number of lengths you need to cover your outdoor area. Fit the end caps. Mark where you want to secure the J-hooks on the roof eaves with a carpenter's pencil. They should sit a few inches in from the pipe ends, with another hook in the middle if you have particularly long pipes.

Hammer or screw the J-hooks into the eaves. Once one set of hooks is secured, hang the PVC pipe-turned curtain railing up to check that they are in the right place. If that section looks good, repeat for all the other sections of your covered patio or balcony. Take your curtains out of the packaging — use a hairdryer on the lowest setting to get the wrinkles out, if necessary. Thread the curtains over the pipes using whatever system they have: rings (typical of shower curtains), eyelets or tabs, or rod pocket. Incidentally, if you're not fussy, just hanging them up and letting gravity and time do their jobs is another way to de-wrinkle curtains.