hTTi

I recently moved in to an apartment which has a large south west facing window/patio door. I'm searching for a solution that will block the sun and also heat. Ideally the windows would have an external shutter fitter, however as I am only renting this isn't an option.

Are there similar products that can be fitted externally? How about products that can be fitted internally?

I'm concerned an internally fitter heat reflective material may have an adverse effect on the window e.g. heating the gas between the window panes to an unsafe level and popping the seal. Is this a legitimate concern?

I want to avoid any films that stick to the glass incase they are difficult to remove in the future.

Photo with approx widths:

Shades directly on the windows inside or outside won't block the sun from hitting them and producing heat.

Is there a roof on your balcony or are you on the top floor?

We have something similar to this but with no drilling required. It keeps the sun off of the balcony and out of the kitchen.
free-standing shade

If you have no balcony ceiling, it looks like you have space for a pretty big sun umbrella.

Oops! It appears my didn't work so here.

That didn't work either. Hmmm. It's a roll-out awning.

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:12 pm roll-out awning.

An interesting option I hadn't considered. I'm on the 6th floor and the balcony had a ceiling. Perhaps it's something I'll need permission from the Hausverwaltung, but certainly an option.

OK. I've managed a photo. Himself recently mounted some nice side shades for privacy and to block sun when it comes around.

Most of our neighbors have them now. No permission needed. They are free-standing.

You just need to roll it in if it gets too windy and, of course, at night.

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:19 pm OK. I've managed a photo. Himself recently mounted some nice side shades for privacy and to block sun when it comes around.

thumbnail_20240514_201609.jpg

Yes this has the benefit that use of the balcony can continue while the sun is shining. Is there any concern the shade may loosen and end up on the ground?

Not if installed properly and rolled in for high winds. You could always attach a line to it and fix it to your balcony if you're worried about that.

I'd invite you around to have a look but you don't have your location in your profile. Are you around Munich?

Until I read FF's practical and elegant solutions I was going to recommend - two windscreen thingies stuck together with black and nasty, attached to the frame with masking tape or a white sheet trapped in the top of the window. Those are our current solutions for the problem, neither practical nor elegant, but they do work!

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:48 pm Not if installed properly and rolled in for high winds. You could always attach a line to it and fix it to your balcony if you're worried about that.

Yes that is a good solution.

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:48 pm I'd invite you around to have a look but you don't have your location in your profile. Are you around Munich?

Yes, if you draw a large enough circle, Ostfriesland is around Munich.

For an apartment I use to live in, I bought some blinds kind of like these https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B00GWCRPK ... asin_0_img

I think they helped a bit.

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:48 pm Not if installed properly and rolled in for high winds. You could always attach a line to it and fix it to your balcony if you're worried about that.

I'd invite you around to have a look but you don't have your location in your profile. Are you around Munich?

I am concerned about the possibility that the awning could fall off my 6th floor balcony and damage a car or injure a person. What are the legal implications if this happened? Would damages be covered by Haftpflichtversicherung, or could I be charged with negligence?

alma.freya wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:02 am

Fraufruit wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 8:48 pm Not if installed properly and rolled in for high winds. You could always attach a line to it and fix it to your balcony if you're worried about that.

I'd invite you around to have a look but you don't have your location in your profile. Are you around Munich?

I am concerned about the possibility that the awning could fall off my 6th floor balcony and damage a car or injure a person. What are the legal implications if this happened? Would damages be covered by Haftpflichtversicherung, or could I be charged with negligence?

Quite a few people have the awnings in our building and they are on the west/stormy side with high winds. No problem.

LeonG wrote: ↑Wed May 15, 2024 4:01 am For an apartment I use to live in, I bought some blinds kind of like these https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B00GWCRPK ... asin_0_img

I think they helped a bit.

Screenshot 2024-05-15 035954.png

Himself bought a couple of those and installed them on the sides of our small balcony with the awning. Mind you, he designed and built aluminum frames to mount/hang them on. I love them - shade and privacy. Thanks for the suggestion!

Oops! Just realized that I already posted about that.

LeonG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 1:43 pm

alma.freya wrote: ↑Sat Jul 06, 2024 12:47 pm Would damages be covered by Haftpflichtversicherung, or could I be charged with negligence?

Haftpflicht is pretty good about paying for things caused by negligence but there may be limits. Are you balancing a piano on the railings by any chance?

Your best bet is probably talking to your insurance and asking them about their policy.

This is what I plan on purchasing, which is clamped between floor and ceiling using pressure:

I don't think they are likely to just fall down. Could you put a safety chain on one foot of each and padlock it to the railing? That way if the wind dislodges them, they will not go far.