What child-safe barrier for rooftop?

[thenexus00]

Hi All,

We recently moved to a unit with a large rooftop area.
Image attached. There is a further alcove bit to the right of the image as well.
On the left is a walled off area to another unit's rooftop access.

While the walls appear to be JUST 1M legal height we have a 9 year old, 6 and 3 year old. I would feel happier if we were able to make the area a bit safer.
There is a lot of wall to cover and I am conscious of cost and also something to not spoil the view.

What are the best options here?

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @thenexus00. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about balconies.

You’re right to be thinking carefully about safety here, especially with younger children. While the wall may technically meet the minimum 1m requirement, it doesn’t give much peace of mind when little ones are running around. One option worth considering is attaching screening to raise the barrier height without blocking your outlook. For example, you could look at using something like the SpecRite 1800 x 600mm Pre-Oiled Merbau Garden Fence Panels fixed horizontally along the inside of the existing wall. These will lift the effective height while still allowing light and airflow through, and won’t completely spoil the view. The challenge will be working around the columns — it won’t be a simple straight run, so some custom cutting and bracing may be needed to get a neat finish.

Beyond raising the wall height, it’s just as important to think about how the space is set up. With a 6- and 3-year-old, avoid placing any furniture, planter boxes, or storage items close to the edge as these can quickly become footholds for climbing. I’d also recommend swapping out the existing light furniture for something more solid, like hardwood pieces. Heavier furniture is harder for younger children to drag over to the edge, which adds another layer of protection.

Ultimately, a combination of slightly increasing the barrier height with screening and careful furniture placement will help make the rooftop a safer, more family-friendly space without sacrificing the open feel and views.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[thenexus00]

Thanks.

I was thinking something just to give something of a height increase?
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ekodeck-67-x-15mm-2-7m-greystone-classic-screening-composite_p0120984

I saw there are posts you can get to drill into the top brick but then how you fix these?

I think these panels may be the way to go but would need help on the fixing.

[EricL]

Hello @thenexus00 

The Ekodeck 67 x 15mm 2.7m Greystone Classic Screening Composite is more suited to covering and cladding as it requires a frame or flat surface to be anchored onto. Plus, it totally covers the view as they are installed right next to each other. I recommend using MitchellMc's idea of using SpecRite 1800 x 600mm Pre-Oiled Merbau Garden Fence Panels as it provides protection and still allows you to enjoy the view.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @thenexus00 

This is a little out there as in above DIY I think, mainly due to issues of whatever you install fails and aflls from a height.

To help with suggestions I am thinking about a half high glass pool fence added to the top of the brick work, it will provide a clear view and at the same time stop such easy access to going over the top. The reason I am suggesting a professional installer is that not all bricks are fastened the same, and I do not know how to guarantee that the brick balcony edge can carry the load of a screen plus wind or bodies against it.

There will be versions that can handle this I am sure, I just dont know of any off hand.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @thenexus00 

I'm also along the same lines as with @Dave-1 in getting some form of reduced height safety glass like pool fencing. It's actually not difficult to install yourself in your scenario. It would just need a pneumatic hammer drill to make the holes for the spigot fasteners to go in to the brickwork. But if not confident then go down a professional supply and install.

Nailbag