We live in Quebec, Canada. The winters here are cold. My Parents have a wood balcony and enclosed it by using recycled large windows. There is an aluminum door and metal stairs attached and leading onto the back lawn. They want to find a way to make it warmer, as there is an outdoor cat who lives on the balcony.
Is it possible to receive some suggestions, advice etc. on the easiest, most economical way to do this? I was thinking of large plastic type of tarpauliln sheets - somehow wrapping the outside of the balcony with them... (somehow!! ), :confused:and if available getting CLEAR ones, so that their kitchen will not become darkened, i.e. if the plastic were i.e. blue or green... is this possible?
Will this keep the balcony warmer? Or are there any other ideas that some clever member can suggest? Thank you very much.:)

You can purchase the crystal clear heavier plastic sheeting in rolls. It comes in varying thicknesses as well. It can be stapled with a staple gun or you can use the clear duct tape out on the market now. Or you could make frames for the plastic using 1X2's (firing strips) and attaching the plastic to the 1X2's using staples. You can then attach the 1x2's to the porch making it reusable. I got the heavy crystal clear plastic at Wally World. It is 52" wide and costs about US$2-$3 a yard. You'll find it in the yard goods section of the store. Using the plastic sheeting that is not crystal clear won't allow you to see out or let sunlight in.

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Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

You can purchase the crystal clear heavier plastic sheeting in rolls. It comes in varying thicknesses as well. It can be stapled with a staple gun or you can use the clear duct tape out on the market now. Or you could make frames for the plastic using 1X2's (firing strips) and attaching the plastic to the 1X2's using staples. You can then attach the 1x2's to the porch making it reusable. I got the heavy crystal clear plastic at Wally World. It is 52" wide and costs about US$2-$3 a yard. You'll find it in the yard goods section of the store. Using the plastic sheeting that is not crystal clear won't allow you to see out or let sunlight in.

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I appreciate your encouraging reply! Although here in Quebec, we unfortunately do not have a "Wally World" - I will still try and find out about this heavier plastic sheeting. But, can you tell me if you have installed it on your balcony and has it made a difference in it being warmer? Thanks!:)

I have enclosed my covered back porch/deck with this heavy plastic and I have noticed that it is indeed warmer (somewhat) as the open area is no longer susceptible to drafts. I can't totally enclose the porch as I have a band of at least 12 raccoons who visit my back porch nightly to be fed and they probably could not figure out how to use a doggy door. The porch is enclosed on 3 sides though and I can actually still use my gas grill now without being too cold and getting hit in the face with rain, snow or wind.

I originally decided to use the plastic to keep the snow from drifting onto my back porch. I installed a metal awning over the 10X12' deck as I got snowed in last winter and could not open either front or back door due to the accumulated snow build up to the door knob. I also did my front porch as well and that is such a pleasure now to open the front door and not get blasted by the rain or snow or high winds.

You could try looking online for the thicker crystal clear plastic though. I know I did before I stumbled onto the WalMart aisle and it is available.

If you are handy you can figure out some sort of wooden frame for the plastic. The frames I made are all removeable from the porch/deck and can be stored away for the summer. You don't want to make the frames too wide either as you'll have problems trying to store them in the summer. I used a drill to drill holes into the 1X2's and used bolts and nuts with washers to hold the pieces of wood together. Don't try to nail the 1X2's or use screws to hold it together as that won't work. Only use bolts and nuts and drill the holes. I used 1/4" two inch bolts and 1/4" nuts. I think we used a 5/16" spade bit for the holes. Once I got the frames made I put them on the floor in the livingroom and stapled on the plastic to the frames. Then I attached the frames to the wooden porch railing with more bolts and nuts. It depends on what you have to work with on your porch how you can attach the frames.

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Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

I have enclosed my covered back porch/deck with this heavy plastic and I have noticed that it is indeed warmer (somewhat) as the open area is no longer susceptible to drafts. I can't totally enclose the porch as I have a band of at least 12 raccoons who visit my back porch nightly to be fed and they probably could not figure out how to use a doggy door. The porch is enclosed on 3 sides though and I can actually still use my gas grill now without being too cold and getting hit in the face with rain, snow or wind.

I originally decided to use the plastic to keep the snow from drifting onto my back porch. I installed a metal awning over the 10X12' deck as I got snowed in last winter and could not open either front or back door due to the accumulated snow build up to the door knob. I also did my front porch as well and that is such a pleasure now to open the front door and not get blasted by the rain or snow or high winds.

You could try looking online for the thicker crystal clear plastic though. I know I did before I stumbled onto the WalMart aisle and it is available.

If you are handy you can figure out some sort of wooden frame for the plastic. The frames I made are all removeable from the porch/deck and can be stored away for the summer. You don't want to make the frames too wide either as you'll have problems trying to store them in the summer. I used a drill to drill holes into the 1X2's and used bolts and nuts with washers to hold the pieces of wood together. Don't try to nail the 1X2's or use screws to hold it together as that won't work. Only use bolts and nuts and drill the holes. I used 1/4" two inch bolts and 1/4" nuts. I think we used a 5/16" spade bit for the holes. Once I got the frames made I put them on the floor in the livingroom and stapled on the plastic to the frames. Then I attached the frames to the wooden porch railing with more bolts and nuts. It depends on what you have to work with on your porch how you can attach the frames.

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Thank you again for all of this great information and support! Unfortunately, I cannot physically do any of this as I am quite ill, but, hopefully I can find someone who will not charge exhorbitant fees in making it.

I posted another question at the same time as this one, asking for advice in making some type of "ROOF" - because I am ill, I can no longer shovel snow. And so, I am VERY VERY INTERESTED in your "metal awning" which you installed, because I am dreading the same situation - of having several feet of snow accumulating:eek: and not being able to open up the balcony door!! (which is also very necessary in case of fire etc. ). Could you PLEASE tell me any details as to this metal awning? I would appreciate your help and thank you again! :)

How about a heated Cat bed instead of all that plastic, cost will be about the same. See this link:

Amazon.com: K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad: Home & Garden

Por favor si me pueden decir como puedo conseguir el los materiales como acrilco transparente para encerrar un balcon vivo en south Florida

I would suggest going in the direction of amricca's suggestion. There are many problems and challenges associated with making the balcony into some sort of semi-conditioned space. Mainly expense to do so with questionable results.

Hey Twink, racoons have no trouble going right through my porch pet door. The cat jumps up on a stool and watches them eat his food.