11 replies to this topic

[chuck g]

So my neighbor on one side of me has light strings on a timer until 10pm-ish on their screened porch. Kind of annoying when observing from my deck. I searched threads about light blocking devices and decided I wanted to put up a privacy fence on that end of the deck. My wife said she didn't want a privacy fence but suggested instead to put up blackout curtains that could be pulled back, and to use the set from the downstairs bathroom (from thrift store). Works like a charm to block light from the neighbors porch and my wife is good with it. Thought I would share this idea.

 

 

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[jupiter122]

Creative and should help. Your neighbor looks pretty close. Have they ever seen you stargazing? Have you ever, on those occasions, thought about asking them to turn the lights off when you’re going to be outside?

 

Tim

[afd33]

I've been thinking about putting up a privacy fence on my deck too. My neighbor's deck has a fence along the side that would look towards my house, so that blocks most of the light that he has. However the road that goes past my house has a direct view to my deck now that some trees are out, and I want to fix that. I settled for a retractable screen from amazon for now and it works pretty good. The only thing I worry about is all the documentation talks about anchoring it in to concrete and mine is drilled in to the deck. Then it also says the wind shouldn't be more than like 3-5 mph.

[chuck g]

Tim, No I never asked them to turn off their lights. They are on their screened porch 1-2 evenings per week if weather is nice so asking them to turn lights off is only a temporary solution.

 

afd33, I'm glad you brought up the wind, I may need to add some weight to the bottom of the curtains

[Runningbeer]

I use an adjustable photo back drop stand. Portable, light weight and easy set up.

[afd33]

Tim, No I never asked them to turn off their lights. They are on their screened porch 1-2 evenings per week if weather is nice so asking them to turn lights off is only a temporary solution.

 

afd33, I'm glad you brought up the wind, I may need to add some weight to the bottom of the curtains

With that setup I would try and find a couple of pipes that you could fill with sand or something, and then Put it in the bottom seam of the curtain, maybe adding a row of stitching to be sure it can hold the weight.

[chuck g]

With that setup I would try and find a couple of pipes that you could fill with sand or something, and then Put it in the bottom seam of the curtain, maybe adding a row of stitching to be sure it can hold the weight.

Or maybe some 1/2oz egg sinkers and thread them into the bottom seams of the curtains

[briansalomon1]

It's nice you found something that helps. I have to drive an hour or two, but have dark skies and really excellent seeing fairly close by, so I'm spoiled and don't even bother observing at night from home. I almost always camp away from people but once in a blue moon I will camp in an established campground, and when I do, I'm always amazed at how much people like to illuminate the outdoors.

[izar187]

I may need to add some weight to the bottom of the curtains.

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Or perhaps a few strategically placed pieces of velcro

Or add in grommets to the bottom, to secure the bottom with elastic cord.

Things that don't include stitching in weights.  : )

[Ac2aj]

My neighbor has a lot of lights as well and I had to plant arborvitae's to block the light. It's annoying that they leave them on all night but they are good neighbors and I found a solution that works. I don't think I'd want a shower curtain on my deck but that's just my opinion. If it works great 👍

Brian

[jcj380]

I use a portable set-up with black shower curtains.  I've never had a problem with them sailing except for once when it was rather windy.

 

When I first moved in, I wanted to plant an arbor vitae hedge around my deck, but the landscape Gestapo of the HOA said no.  

Edited by jcj380, 08 May 2025 - 06:34 AM.

[PIEJr]

It's nice you found something that helps. I have to drive an hour or two, but have dark skies and really excellent seeing fairly close by, so I'm spoiled and don't even bother observing at night from home. I almost always camp away from people but once in a blue moon I will camp in an established campground, and when I do, I'm always amazed at how much people like to illuminate the outdoors.

It is sad how misinformed many are. My neighbors up street from me were told by the Sheriffs that outside illumination helps cut down crime.

So they have quite a bit of outside lighting. All it does is give light to trespassers so they don't trip on things.

It isn't too bothersome to me, we have a tall block wall towards their side, and they are up about 3' of grade from our home.

 

But the new ones down street from me are about to get a wall topper put up on our wall to block them, and the strings of solar lights strung back and forth over their pool. But not so much because of their ignorance, but because the woman is a "Karen", and glares at us every since they moved in.

Her hubby had the edacity to ask if we were going to be moving soon. I chuckled and told him, "No. I told the wife when we moved here almost 25 years ago the only way I'd be moving again was sitting in a rocking chair, watching somebody else do the work."

The more I thought about it, the more I realized they have a lot of brass trying to get their new neighbors to move out. So I may just wall them out of my view.

Show them what a really good neighbor I can be.