Nobody wants the blazing sun on the balcony or terrace, but which sun protection suits me? We give tips and suggest possibilities.
It is one of my absolute favorite places - 6 meters long and 4 meters wide - our terrace! With direct access from the living room, I'm outside as often as possible - if only to get some fresh air.
One problem that has bothered me for a good three years now was the lack of or rather suboptimal sun protection. We opted for the simplest solution and bought a parasol that was about two meters in diameter. No question, at least part of the seating set was overshadowed by this, but only for a certain period of time. You guessed it, with every centimeter that the sun moved, I also had to move the umbrella. With an umbrella stand that weighs a good 25 kg, it's a lot of fun, I can tell you that. So that wasn't a permanent solution and so I started to look at the various options for sun protection for balconies and terraces.
❶ Cantilever parasol for the terrace - Rectangular parasol for the balcony
Parasol is not always the same parasol! The selection needs to be carefully considered so that you don't have to buy a new umbrella every two years. Another aspect is of course the location, because a large terrace requires more "sun protection" than a balcony. Let's start with the latter…
➔ Parasol for the balcony
The space on the balcony is quite manageable, so every centimeter needs to be carefully considered. First you should "test" where the sun's rays are greatest and what exactly should be in the shade in the future. Most likely it will be a small seat, where you can also cool down with a table fan. If you want to protect the entire balcony from the sun, you will sometimes need two umbrellas.
You often see the variant on the balcony that is more intended for the beach. I don't want to say that such a sunshade doesn't serve its purpose, but a rectangular sunshade, adapted to the shape of the balcony, is more effective. instead of oneIf you want to shade your balcony with a certain diameter, you can protect a much larger area from the sun with a rectangular parasol. But even here there are differences! I recommend a rectangular umbrella that can also be bent. This means you can tilt the sunshade when the sun no longer shines directly on the balcony but from the side.
➔ Parasol for the terrace
More space means more possibilities. If you are looking for a parasol for the terrace, you can (and must) think in larger dimensions. I also became aware of this and so I decided - after many parasol experiments - for a 3.5 m wide cantilever parasol. Anyone who has done their own research will find that these umbrellas are not exactly cheap. But believe me, you will not regret this investment. But here, too, screens are not just screens. The luxury equipment has four essential characteristics:
- rotatable 360 degrees
- One-hand lever, for pushing up without effort
- Crank for easy opening of the parasol body including fabric
- Infinitely adjustable tilt angle, necessary when the sun is low in the sky
Important: Cantilever umbrellas of this size need an absolutely firm stand. A conventional umbrella stand is therefore not enough. These specimens are usually sold with a steel cross. This must be firmly installed in the ground or weighed down with a weight of at least 100 kg (e.g. underneath terrace slabs).
❷ Awning - individual and inexpensive sun protection
Sun sails are a practical and, above all, flexible alternative to parasols. This sun protection is available in a triangular, rectangular and trapezoidal design - which means that a model can be found for every requirement. In addition to the balcony and terrace, sun sails can also be used to provide shade in the conservatory. Sun sails are usually made of polyester or polyethylene and are therefore light and easy to handle. If you want to use your terrace/balcony even when the weather is bad, you should opt for a water-repellent sun sail. However, very few models can withstand continuous rain - you have to be aware of that. Sufficient UV protection is also important, recognizable when buying by the note "UV Standard 801". You can find out more about this criterion in the “Textile UV Protection” brochure at Hohenstein.de.
In contrast to the parasol, attaching the sun sail is sometimes difficult. Usuallytensioning screws, snap hooks and wall brackets are supplied by the manufacturer. The problem with rented apartments, however, is that drilling holes on the balcony is often prohibited. If you want or have to avoid annoying drilling, you can alternatively attach your sun sail with magnets. I think it goes without saying that simple fridge magnets won't cut it. If you want to implement this idea, you need strongly adhesive neodymium magnets, which can be obtained from a specialist dealer such as magnet-shop.net. The magnets can then not only be used to attach the sun sail to the wall, it is also possible to sew them into the lower end of the sail fabric. The fabric hem then sticks as if by itself to the handrail of the balcony railing and your sun sail does not flap around uncontrollably with every gust of wind.
❸ Awning for balcony & terrace - with crank or electric
Whether striped or plain, awnings are among the most popular shade providers on German balconies and terraces. The big advantage of an awning - once attached, it can be used immediately and permanently as sun protection. But first you have to think carefully about where the awning should hang. Here, too, homeowners have a clear advantage, because they do not have to ask a landlord whether the awning can be installed. If changes to the facade are not permitted, a clamp awning can be negotiated with the landlord - this can be removed without leaving any residue. The installation is then carried out using steel rods that are clamped between the floor and ceiling. Clamp awnings with a hand crank are available from about 40 euros, if you prefer the electric version, you have to dig a little deeper into your pocket.
If you have a large terrace, you may need two awnings, because the wider the awning, the more susceptible it is to wind. Custom-made awnings can also be ordered, for example at markise24.de, so you can have exactly the sun protection that fits your balcony perfectly.
The most important advantages of an awning as sun protection are:
- the large covering area
- quickly ready for use by retracting and extending
- storable to save space
- Light Rain Protection
The following points must be considered rather disadvantageously:
- Once attached, position cannot be changed
- no wind and sun protection from the side (varies depending on the model)
- must be retracted when there is windbecome
Conclusion:
If you are looking for sun protection for the balcony or terrace, you will definitely find it - quick purchases should be avoided! You should think carefully about which area should be shaded and whether the structural and technical requirements for your favorite sun protection are met. Sometimes it's not wrong to choose a combination of several sun protection variants - for example an awning plus sun sail as side shade.