Weatherproofing Your Sidewalk Joy Spot
The Dinorama in a snowstorm, Feb ‘23
Below you’ll find tips for how to weatherproof your Sidewalk Joy spot. Before launching into it I do want to emphasize one point; it’s okay to do your best and make improvements later. If you’re like me, it can be intimidating to both create a Sidewalk Joy spot and also make it perfectly suited for all weather situations. Peruse this article and take any steps that feel sensible to you but don’t let the intimidation of making your spot perfect prevent you from getting it out into the world. I replaced the Dino Exchange after 6 months when I’d learned how to better prepare it for winter, I added a door to the Bee Stop as we headed into soggy weather, etc. You can always make adjustments and improvements as you go.
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When thinking of how to make your Sidewalk Joy spot ready for the weather, consider a two main factors:
Does anything in your spot need to be protected from rain, snow, or even the sun? Some 3D printed elements may melt in the sun, books or art may get soggy in the rain, etc.
What type of inclement weather does your area have? Here in the PNW we are known for our steady rain so our Sidewalk Joy spots need to be prepared for downpours as well as the one or two ice storms we receive per winter. And while most folks don’t think of Portland as a sunny destination in the summer we do have a dry spell for 4-6 months and the heat can occasionally get in the triple digits.
Not all Sidewalk Joy spots need much weatherproofing. Yard displays involving giant skeletons, flamingos, and other such decor are usually already quite ready for outdoor use. The contents of trinket, toy, and keychain exchanges often don’t need to stay perfectly dry (though I’d recommend preparing the display itself, see the first two recommendations below).
But for installations that house anything susceptible to moisture or heat like Puzzle Libraries, Free Little Art Exchanges, Seed Swaps, and more, I recommend considering the following measures when applicable…
Exterior paint. If your space is some sort of housing like an exchange box, diorama, or shelves, I’d recommend painting it all with exterior paint. Because exterior paint can be pricey, I just get the base color of the display. After it dries, I do detailing with whatever regular art supply paint I have on hand and apply a coat of paint sealer to finish it off.
Caulk. Seal all seams between boards with caulk (do this before painting).
A roof. An overhanging and slanting roof will divert a lot of the rain and snow off of your structure, significantly extending it’s lifespan.
A door some sort of latch or fastener. A well-fitting and tightly-closing door will do wonders to protect anything inside your display. Some doors close with magnets, others with little hooks. Anything works so long as your door stays closed when folks aren’t perusing it. If you still want people to be able to see inside when the door is closed, use or make a door that has inset plexiglass, acrylic, or glass.
Weather stripping. When lining a door, weather stripping is your last line of defense keeping out extra moisture and creating a tight seal.
Location. Where you place your installation can have a big affect on how much weather it sees. Spots placed under trees, while at higher risk of a branch falling on them, can be shielded from some amount of sun or rain. If you want to protect your spot from a lot of heat (think Free Little Greenhouse or diorama with 3D printed elements), you may want to place it somewhere that sees less midday sun.
I hope these tips are helpful as you create or weatherproof your installation. I’m always open to updating these articles with new info so if you have additional questions or tips of your own, please let me know! And as always, if you have or make a joyful spot, I’d love to have you on the Worldwide Sidewalk Joy Map!