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How to affix festoon lights to balcony?

Namcito

Hi Bunnings fam,

I am wanting to buy and hang up festoon lights. The query is I'm unsure how to hook these up given it is all concrete and bricks. We are owners but on a 7th floor balcony which can get a bit windy.

The balcony is approximately 8m wide. One section depth is 2.5m the other just over 1m. If relevant the power plug is the one in the 3rd photo.

Thank you in advance!

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JacobZ

Hi @Namcito,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Although the balcony is part of your unit, in many cases, altering the exterior of the property is against body corporate bylaws, so before doing anything I would consult with your body corporate manager for their guidance as to what you can and can't do.

Because of the rough nature of the render and bricks and the windy nature of the balcony, adhesive hooks would not be something I'd recommend, so you'd need to look at using mechanical anchors into the underside of the slab or brick. This will involve drilling into the underside of the concrete slab, which I can't imagine your body corporate would be too on board with.

If they are not on board with this, then we might have to look at alternatives to hanging them from the underside of the slab.

Is there anything elsewhere that might be usable? Is there a handrailing?

Some extra photos showing around the balcony could certainly help.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they have any ideas @Dave-1, @R4addZ, @Noyade.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @Namcito

While we wait on some extra photos (handrail ect) I was thinking of fastening hem to the brickwork via cup hooks and timber.

I have used the process to install my dvd curtain wall.
I used 30mm cup hooks (you could as well, just screw them into rawl plug for the brickwork) You have all the hooks facing upwards along the wall.

You then get 20 x 8mm 2.4m Clear Pine Dressed Board and rotate it into the cup hooks. This will give you attachment points for festoon lights galore and also be removable if needed.

I had a look at the two projects for my cd/dvd curtains but neither show the hooks and timber. Just looked at one yet to be posted and same issue lol For all the photos I take Ive missed the timber in the cup hooks, I will try and remember to take a photo tonight to show the idea.

If you zoom in on the timber rail that supports the DVDs that is what it will look like. I will take closer pics tonight.

Dave

Namcito

Hi Jacob,

Appreciate the thorough reply and thanks for the welcome and tagging others.

That's a good call chatting to body corporate if the drilling is needed. There is a hand railing pictured here which I've used for fairy lights but I feel like going from top brick to railing will limit headspace.

Dave, thank you for the cuphook idea! Not a bad idea to get away with and I like it. Still think I have to chat to corporate.

JacobZ

Hi @Namcito,

I can certainly assist further if you get the ok to put in some mechanical fixings, I'd just be very concerned about a string of glass bulbs being hung from something I'm not 100% confident with, especially considering the height and windy nature of the balcony.

Just for reference, these https://www.bunnings.com.au/ramset-8-x-45mm-dynabolt-plus-eye-bolt-2-pack_p2265321?store=7212&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21122993677&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5dOh-IPPlQMVwF0PAh3HnyluEAQYAiABEgK6cfD_BwE are the sort of anchors I'd consider in a scenario like this.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Evening @Namcito

Here are a couple of pics showing the way the timber sits in the hooks. I would mount them within 10cm of the ceiling (not out near/above the handrail due to that wind tho.

I actually ripped the timber from a large piece, well had a mate rip the timber as I dont have a table saw lol.

This is where you rotate the timber that locks it into the cup hooks. With the concern for wind l would cable tie the timber to the hooks. I do like the idea of securing the lights to ramset bolts being so far up plus wind.

Dave

MikeTNZ

Hi @Namcito, welcome along to Bunnings Workshop, it's great to have you here!

Is this lighting installation going to be up on the underside of the roof?

What you could do, if need be, is drill a single small hole to take a Rawlplug a screw and a plastic P-clip, above the socket-outlet and as high as you can get it, when you move out, it is just a simple matter of removing the Rawlplug and filling the hole up with sealant, which does come in black.

From there, run a catenary wire (any sort of wire that will carry the weight of the lights and cable, 1.5 mm² conduit wire is perfect for this) over to the other wall on the other side of the balcony, from there fit another Rawlplug and so forth, string your lights up with cable ties to the catenary wire.

Personally with this being an outdoor installation, the lights should be fed from a 24V transformer or some sort of other extra-low voltage supply, but if you get a plug-in transformer, for that socket outlet, it should be all good, provided the transformer is kept out of the rain and dry.

If you require any further advice, by all means, let me know.

Cheers,

Mike T.

Namcito

Thanks, Jacob. I'll definitely reach out if I get the a okay.

Evening, Dave. That's a great setup with the DVDs. Also have no table saw up here mate but it's good to see how you've done it. Thanks for taking the time to photograph it. Ramsey bolts do look good.

Mike, appreciate it. I was thinking underside but wanted to see my options hence reaching out here. I hadn't considered the 24V transformer. Sealant is a good shout.

Thanks to all and I'll check it if I get approval.

Dave-1

Morning @Namcito

:) You can buy that timber already cut from the timber trim section in Bunnings (When I first needed the trim for my bookcases I bought it cut already)

Dave