I needed more privacy...

[chevelle64]

This is the view from the street in front of my garage. It's an old picture, but the idea is that you can see right into the garage when the doors are open. I've always been careful about having the doors open while working out there, and that's no fun in the summer. So I found this company in Florida: http://fsmscreen.com . I made a couple of simple brackets and installed them on the sides of the door. Put an open hem in the screen and ran 1" X 10' EMT through it, like window shade. I couldn't be happier with the results. As long as it's lighter outside than inside, you can't see in. Not so great at night, but that was expected. The only thing left to do is install a couple of grommets in the bottom corners, so I can bungee the screen to the door tracks when it's windy.

 

[chevelle64]

Here is the end result. I still get airflow into the garage. Now I just need to make up the second one for the other door.

 

[uniballer]

Like it, cost?

 

[NUTTSGT]

I like the idea, no pics with the door open ?

 

[NUTTSGT]

Oops, typing and watching TV. The white looks great with a white garage.

 

[chevelle64]

Like it, cost?

8' X 20', enough for both doors was $190 shipped to Michigan. This is a very strong fabric, it should last a long time.

 

[chevelle64]

Oops, typing and watching TV. The white looks great with a white garage.

I'm really happy with the looks. They have other colors too.

 

[DirtRoad]

Where do you live in Michigan to be that worried?

 

[CNGsaves]

That's a pretty nifty solution for smaller garage doors.

How do you keep the roll intact (ie prevent from rolling with movement of the door)?? Any pipe on the bottom of fabric to hold it down near ground??

 

[mmack66]

Sweet. Looks like you could project some movies as well!.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm really happy with the looks. They have other colors too.

Somebody driving by wouldn't even notice those being down and the doors up. Well done.

 

[Zeke]

Where do you live in Michigan to be that worried?

It has nothing to do with where anyone lives. You're working in your garage and all kinds of people who do NOT live nearby are seeing in your garage. Delivery, gardeners, even visitors. You don't need to advertise what you have.

 

[wolfsburged]

I'd be interested to see how easy it is to open and pull down to facilitate use of the door. Looks like it would work great to keep bugs and mosquitos out too.

 

[mmack66]

Somebody driving by wouldn't even notice those being down and the doors up. Well done.

Unless it is night time. That third pic will be what his lighted garage looks like from the outside.

 

[chevelle64]

That's a pretty nifty solution for smaller garage doors.

How do you keep the roll intact (ie prevent from rolling with movement of the door)?? Any pipe on the bottom of fabric to hold it down near ground??

If you look at the last picture in the first post, you can see 4 thin velcro straps that keep the roll intact. There is no pipe at the bottom, but that is an option too. I decided against it, I think a small bungee at each bottom corner would work better.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Unless it is night time. That third pic will be what his lighted garage looks like from the outside.

Correct, I was talking about daytime. I had seen where he had previously mentioned that above. I have the same thing with the windows that I applied tint too, can't see in unless it's night time with interior lights on.

 

[chevelle64]

I'd be interested to see how easy it is to open and pull down to facilitate use of the door. Looks like it would work great to keep bugs and mosquitos out too.

Once I remove the velcro straps, it almost unrolls too easily. I have to kind of slow it down with my hands. This stuff is also used for insect control, but I wasn't going for that. It would have to be sealed tightly all the way around the perimeter.

 

[nine4gmc]

I made a frame and screened it with 90% solar screen for my shop, I do not park inside so I framed a 36" screen door into the 10' roll up door frame and hinged the 7' side to swing open for wider entries. As mentioned, during the day I can see out but you can't see in but at night, my shop is lit up like drive in movie and I can't see 2' outside the screen, looking out.

OP, like the look! Could you have mounted the brackets a lil lower to fill the gap when the door is raised?

 

[machine_punk]

I suspect you could still make it work at night...just put some flood lights out there, shining on the exterior of the screens. We have a special curtain, called a 'scrim' in theater and it does exactly that...shows you what is behind the curtain when the lights on the rear of the stage are on and hides what is behind the curtain when you light the front of the curtain. You might try it with a portable light first, see if you can block the view at night with front lighting on the curtain.

Kev

 

[info2x]

I want to do something similar but to keep the bugs out.

 

[chevelle64]

I made a frame and screened it with 90% solar screen for my shop, I do not park inside so I framed a 36" screen door into the 10' roll up door frame and hinged the 7' side to swing open for wider entries. As mentioned, during the day I can see out but you can't see in but at night, my shop is lit up like drive in movie and I can't see 2' outside the screen, looking out.

OP, like the look! Could you have mounted the brackets a lil lower to fill the gap when the door is raised?

I went with the 80% instead, to get more airflow. I put the brackets at that height to make room for the dreaded door opener sensors, when I get around to installing door openers. I'm not too concerned about the bottom foot or 2, you can't see much except for my feet from there.

 

[chevelle64]

I suspect you could still make it work at night...just put some flood lights out there, shining on the exterior of the screens. We have a special curtain, called a 'scrim' in theater and it does exactly that...shows you what is behind the curtain when the lights on the rear of the stage are on and hides what is behind the curtain when you light the front of the curtain. You might try it with a portable light first, see if you can block the view at night with front lighting on the curtain.

Kev

Kev,
Thanks for the tip, I'll give it a try. I'm not too worried about night time, but you never know.

 

[chevelle64]

I want to do something similar but to keep the bugs out.

Check their website, they have all different weaves, depending on what you want. The bug screen is cheaper than what I bought. They can install hems and grommets, but their labor is very expensive.

 

[rquackenbush]

That is a brilliant idea - well done. It's simple and effective!

A man could sell that as a kit if he were so inclined...

 

[914wilhelm]

I like it but would probably make one that came all the way down to keep out the bugs and the Rodents.

 

[shannonw]

What you need to use is this:

http://patioscenesdealer.com

See if they can make one from a picture that looks like you're working. That way you can say "honey i'm going to work in the garage" then you can sit around and drink beer and nap and the wife may not notice when she walks by.

 

[1949 caddyman]

This is the view from the street in front of my garage. It's an old picture, but the idea is that you can see right into the garage when the doors are open. I've always been careful about having the doors open while working out there, and that's no fun in the summer. So I found this company in Florida: http://fsmscreen.com . I made a couple of simple brackets and installed them on the sides of the door. Put an open hem in the screen and ran 1" X 10' EMT through it, like window shade. I couldn't be happier with the results. As long as it's lighter outside than inside, you can't see in. Not so great at night, but that was expected. The only thing left to do is install a couple of grommets in the bottom corners, so I can bungee the screen to the door tracks when it's windy.

Nice welds!

 

[blackz26]

Wonders never cease to amaze. Waste of money and time. Just my opinion though

 

[theoldwizard1]

I've seen this before, but ot with colored fabric. I like it !!

Like someone else said, at night shine a spotlight on it and close the door part way.

 

[Blacklisted]

I want to do something similar but to keep the bugs out.

HERE is one that won't break the bank. Probably will be able to see through it better than the OP's but keep the bugs out.

 

[PCO6]

I use a fine weave black mesh tarp for my garage door and it works great. From 30' to 40' passers by can see about 3' into my garage on a sunny day. When dusk falls the interior lights start to take over and that's when I usually shut the overhead door.

 

[chevelle64]

Thanks for all of the positive responses .

 

[motorcycle79]

How are any of your neighbors going to know when to stop by for a beer with this. It won't work for me but a clever idea if a person is worried. I know people by me that haven't shut there garage door in years.

 

[DynoDave]

Nice work, OP.

What you need to use is this:

http://patioscenesdealer.com

See if they can make one from a picture that looks like you're working.

Or one that looks like a garage door.