How can I attach this perspex to a railing so that it is removable?

Gary23

Our apartment balcony had this perspex installed around the railings when we bought it.   It is a good idea to stop our pets from wanting to climb through.   The problem is it is dirty and moldy between the perspex and the railing and as it's cable tied on can't be cleaned.   I'm hoping someone will have more 'removable' option as it's a painful job to redo the cable ties (because of the height of the perspex and there are several panels like this)

Ideally I'd like to be able to clip it on and off.  As the railing is part of the common property I can't drill anything into it.  

Thanks,

Gary

Secured with cable ties

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Gary23. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about attaching perspex.

It looks like the perspex has been installed around your balcony railing as a safety measure, likely because the railing itself doesn't meet certain building codes. These codes often require that railings should not have footholds or handholds that a child could use to climb over, which is why the perspex was added. Given that, it’s important to approach any solution with both functionality and safety in mind. Your idea of a removable clip system is a good one, but there are a few important considerations.

Firstly, the clip system you choose needs to not only allow for easy removal on your part but also ensure that a child cannot easily undo it, as the perspex was likely installed for safety reasons. This creates a bit of a challenge because the system needs to be childproof while still being user-friendly for adults. The clips should securely hold the perspex in place, preventing it from being dislodged or removed by little hands. This may involve clips with a locking mechanism that requires a certain level of dexterity or tools to remove, ensuring the system remains secure.

The additional complication of not being able to drill into the railing (since it’s common property) limits your options somewhat, but there are still some possible solutions. One option could be to use removable cable ties with quick-release mechanisms that can be easily undone but are strong enough to hold the perspex in place when secured. You could look for clips that fasten onto the top and bottom edges of the perspex, with a locking feature that clips into place on the railing. These clips would need to be sturdy enough to hold the perspex in place but also allow you to unclip them easily when needed.

Given the safety concerns you might consider reaching out to the building management or a professional installer who could help you design a solution that meets safety standards while being more practical to remove for cleaning.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell