How to protect your balcony from the sun or 9 pairs of effective sunglasses for your loggia

Savig
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Savig September 26, 2016Specialization: master of interior finishing works. I am well versed in power tools for repair and construction. Formerly a teacher at a radio engineering college.

Photo of a balcony protected from sunlight

The sunny side of the house brings benefit to its residents in winter and punishment in summer . This is especially true for the balcony, which is not just a window, but an entire area exposed to the sun’s rays. Fortunately, today there are many unique “sunglasses” for this part of the apartment that allow you to solve the problem effectively, beautifully and simply.

Before choosing the most optimal option for my home, I got acquainted with them all, which I will tell you about below.

Safety glasses #1: curtains

Balcony curtains in action

This is a classic. Curtains made of thick fabric have been used for shading rooms for a very long time and quite successfully.

pros

1. A very wide range of various models , differing in the density and color of the fabric, as well as the ornament applied to it;

Specialized stores will provide you with a large selection of different curtains

Do not forget that dark fabric gets very hot, so it is better to choose light shades.

1. High efficiency . If necessary, you can hang several layers of fabric material or gather it into folds, which will ultimately allow you to completely darken the room;

For such a sunny object as a loggia, I recommend choosing models made from “Black-out” fabric. It consists of three layers of light-proof material, which can fully cope with the protection of the living space from the sun.

Lightproof curtain made of “Black-out” fabric

1. Easy to use . Every good owner can hang a cornice, and even a child can move or push back the fabric canopy.

Minuses

If curtains had only positive aspects, then alternative methods of darkening balconies and windows in general would not appear. But they also have significant disadvantages:

1. Obstruction of fresh air flow . One of the main purposes of window openings is to ventilate the room, but dense fabric interferes with this;
2. Dust accumulation . This is especially difficult for allergy sufferers and children;
3. Frequent washing required . Matter located on the border between the residential area and the street also finds dirt very quickly. So, if you want to keep the interior in proper shape, you will have to regularly do a general wash.

Washing curtains is quite a hassle

1. Reduced fire safety level . Textiles are highly flammable and burn intensely.

Offers from manufacturers

Most often, curtains are sold as sets, and their prices can vary greatly, which I will demonstrate in the following examples:

• Set "Seascape":

Sample set "Seascape"

• Orpheus set:

Sample set "Orpheus"

• Victorian set:

Sample of the Victorian set

Sun protection film

Another inexpensive and effective way to hide from the summer heat is sun protection film. It is glued directly to the glass if it was not possible to take care of this in advance. Such films are sold in construction stores and markets.

The types of this device have different characteristics:

• Mirrored, pasted from the side of the room. Such films have different ability to transmit light, their effectiveness has been proven.
• Mirror-shockproof, pasted on the street side. In addition to protection from direct sunlight, it will protect the glass if it suddenly cracks or breaks. This film costs an order of magnitude more, but it also has expanded functionality.
• Spatter coating. The most high-tech option, it is distinguished by its ability to reflect not only light, but also heat. Refractory metals are applied to a thin layer of film. The production process uses the ion exchange method. The reflective ability of this material is much higher than that of the previous ones. It is convenient to install. The only negative: the price is the highest of the three options.

Despite the obvious advantages of expensive films, buyers prefer to use the simplest ones. Perhaps this is due to the fact that they can be quickly replaced, and for the winter they can be completely removed as unnecessary.

Tinting

This is a type of film coating. Tinting covers the glass in a thin layer, reflecting light and repelling the sun's rays. In addition to the usual dark one for home interiors, he can choose a film of any color. Designers use it to decorate a building. It does not allow sunlight to pass through and protects plants from overheating.

Safety glasses No. 2: internal horizontal blinds

Internal horizontal blinds to protect the balcony from the sun

As a rule, such products are made of plastic or aluminum and have the form of horizontal lamellas located from top to bottom, capable of changing their position. This device provides these “sunglasses” with a lot of advantages:

pros

1. The ability to adjust the amount of light entering the room with your own hands. By turning a special mechanism, you can easily change the angle of inclination of the lamellas, thereby changing the width of the gaps between them;

Diagram showing possible lamella positions

1. Simple installation instructions . Usually the entire structure is screwed with two or three screws to the window frame or the wall above it, which, you see, is not difficult to do;

Fixing the fastening system for subsequent installation of blinds

1. Numerous different colors . So choosing a color that suits the interior of the balcony will not be difficult;

Abundance of color options

1. Easy to care for . It is enough to periodically wipe the slats with a damp cloth to maintain the original appearance of the structure;

Wiping the slats with a damp cloth

1. Low cost , especially for plastic samples.

Minuses

Negative features depend on the material:

1. Plastic products have weak strength characteristics . You can, of course, object that they don’t need high strength, because they are not subject to mechanical stress. But over time, either someone wants to push the slats “carefully” with two fingers, or the blinds begin to suffer from worries about the flower placed next to them, or a domestic cat or even a dog will climb on them, which together leads to a noticeable accumulation of small deformations;

There are different types of force majeure situations

1. Aluminum samples get very hot , transferring heat further to the balcony, and then into the room, which is completely unacceptable for summer.

Offers from manufacturers

So that you can roughly navigate today's prices for blinds, I will give you a couple of examples of models that I came across:

1. Aluminum 40×160:

Sample of aluminum blinds 40×160

1. Plastic 60×160:

Sample of plastic blinds 60×160

Indoor flowers for the south side

Flower growers are closely familiar with another way to create partial shade - using plants for the balcony that grow well in the sun. Any indoor flowers will not work; you need to choose varieties specially bred for the south side. Since you need to create vertical gardening, you should focus on hanging, climbing, long-shooting or lush plants.

If you need to darken a certain area, ordinary potted flowers will do.

To create a dense curtain of leaves or stems, you can make shelves, or better yet, build a bookcase with sparse cells of different sizes. As they grow, the flowers will increase in volume, covering the glass with a green mass of foliage and creating pleasant partial shade. It will turn out to be a kind of summer garden.

Here are a few heat-resistant balcony crops:

• hibiscus;
• solandra;
• passionflower;
• lobelia;
• pentas, etc.

Among the heat-tolerant crops there are small flowering plants, flowers with large buds, large flat leaves, and climbing stems. But all of them need constant watering and spraying, so during departure they need to be removed from the shelves and placed in the shade.

Safety glasses No. 3: external horizontal blinds

Example of horizontal blinds installed outside

These products are usually made of stainless steel, which provides them with sufficient strength and water resistance to safely withstand contact with the outside world, and wider slats. You can, however, also find samples made of wood, but they are not durable.

pros

1. Possibility of adjusting the light transmission of the structure . There is the same system of lamellas that can change their angle of inclination, as in internal models;
2. Additional room protection function . When closed, metal external blinds also act as a protective shell for your balcony, reducing the risk of criminals entering it;

"My home is my castle"

1. Most models have automatic electric drive . That is, controlling the lamellas comes down to just pressing a button.

An example of a remote control for controlling the movement and position of slats in external blinds

Minuses

1. Quite a high price, which is due to the use of stainless steel and automation of the system;
2. Difficult to install . The fact is that we are talking about installing blinds from the outside of the balcony, which requires high-altitude work, which not everyone can do without special equipment.

If you are not confident in your abilities and are not a fan of mountaineering, then I recommend not to risk it and turn to specialists for help. Otherwise, you may either suffer yourself or, in such an extreme situation, fail to install the equipment efficiently.

Screens for balcony balustrades

Screens for balcony balustrades protect not only from the sun and rain, but also from indiscreet glances, do not emit odor, do not lose color and are very easy to install. Not only the parapet, but the entire balcony receives a new aesthetic quality, both inside and out. These fairly rigid and durable screens combine perfectly with living vegetation and create a summer mood.

An interesting, spectacular and popular option is to place a kind of hedge around the perimeter of the balcony balustrades.

Nowadays, plastic shells woven between the railings are becoming fashionable. They are very durable and come in different colors. Balcony 3D screens are especially visually attractive

At the same time, it is worth paying attention to ensure that their color fits into the overall design of the balcony (flowers, umbrella, furniture), complementing its aesthetic appearance

It is worth noting that this type of coating can protect any large space of balconies and loggias from wind, dust, noise, harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and - of course - give a feeling of privacy. It prevents small children playing on the balcony from leaning out or throwing objects down, and creates an impressive backdrop and support for plants.

Unfortunately, balcony screens are not cheap, however, for reasons of reliability and efficiency, it is worth investing in such systems.

Safety glasses No. 4: cassette curtains

Cassette curtains protecting the loggia from the abundance of sunlight

The peculiarity of this type of window curtains is that they are fixed to the double-glazed window itself, and not to the space above it.

pros

1. Tight fit to the glass itself , eliminating the formation of gaps on the sides;
2. A wide range of models for every taste;

Counter in a store with cassette curtains of different colors

Minuses

1. Visual reduction of space;
2. Dust accumulation.

Prices

Roller blinds are divided into two types according to price category and operational features:

• Uni 1 is used for windows with glazing beads whose depth exceeds 10 mm. The movement of the web is carried out using a drum with a special chain mechanism. Prices:

Uni 1 cassette curtain sample

• Uni 2 is used for windows with glazing beads, the depth of which does not exceed 10 mm. They are equipped with special slats that allow you to distance the structure from the window. Prices:

Uni 2 cassette blind sample

Tips for choosing

Basic criteria for choosing the type of curtains:

• Size and shape of the balcony. It is appropriate to decorate small narrow balconies with options that do not take up space. Suitable models: blinds, Roman and roller blinds, pleated blinds.
• Which side does the balcony face? For southern windows, dense materials in light, cool colors are suitable. Northern ones are decorated with translucent fabrics in warm shades.
• Purpose of the room. For the office it is necessary to create comfortable working conditions where good darkening is required. Use thick Roman shades or blinds. A greenhouse needs a constant stream of sunlight. It is better to limit yourself to light tulle.
• United or isolated. Any options are suitable for a combined loggia: from laconic roller blinds to luxurious Austrian curtains. When designing an autonomous balcony, its purpose is taken into account.
• Method of opening windows. Sliding window structures are decorated with drapes, curtains, Roman blinds, which are fixed not on the window profile, but on the wall or ceiling. It is important to consider that curtains should not interfere with the opening of windows. Curtains on windows with swing doors should be compact: roller blinds, blinds, pleated.

Safety glasses No. 5: awnings

Awning covering the balcony

How to partially close a balcony from the sun's rays? Awnings made of thick canvas fabric, called awnings, do this excellently. They do not block the window opening itself, but are placed in the form of a kind of canopy in front of it. They can be either removable or stationary.

pros

1. Possibility of adjusting the tilt , thanks to which you can maintain a pleasant shade on the balcony throughout the day;
2. Additional protection from precipitation . The material is dense enough to prevent you from getting wet when it rains;

Rain is not a problem for you if you are standing under an awning

1. Ease of reconstruction . It’s easy to replace faded fabric with a new one yourself, using the same frame.

Minuses

1. Significant lengthening of the balcony structure , which is not always convenient or even possible;
2. Relatively short service life .

How to create a cool atmosphere on a glass balcony in the heat?

Much attention should be paid to the color and material of curtains, blinds and other devices for hiding the window from the sun.

When choosing a color scheme, it is better to adhere to the following rules:

• dark colors “collect” heat, so if you decide to cover the window with such curtains, it will become stuffy on the balcony. In addition, dark and bright colors fade quickly in the sun;

  
  Blackout roller blinds

• light pastel colors are ideal for window decoration. It can be soft peach, lavender, beige;

• To create a visual feeling of coolness in the room, you can select blinds and curtains in cool shades - blue, white, green and even gray. Here you can experiment with bright combinations, for example, white + azure, etc.;

• but you shouldn’t use bright warm colors. Yellow, orange, pink and red will only enhance the feeling of heat.

Thus, the general rule will look like this: light, cool shades are best for sun protection.

Regarding materials:

• For curtains, it is better to choose dense but light-colored fabrics. Light tulle can become a decorative element, but it certainly won’t protect from the sun;
• Blinds made of metal slats can heat up and release heat into the room, while fabric or wooden options, on the contrary, will not heat the surrounding air. Fabric vertical blinds Bamboo roller blinds

Of course, there may be exceptions. It all depends on the location of the balcony, the intensity of sunlight, the interior design of the balcony and other nuances.

Safety glasses No. 6: tinted

Tinted balcony glass

Surely, even if you don’t have your own car with tinted windows, you’ve already noticed similar devices on the street thousands of times. This effect can be achieved using a special thermal protective film, which is now actively used for ordinary windows or balconies.

pros

1. Effectively reflecting part of the sunlight without losing visual contact with the street;

Inside view through a tinted window

1. Hiding the contents of the loggia from prying eyes from the windows of neighboring houses;

On the outside, the thermal protective film has a mirror effect

1. No excess volume appears at the window , since the film practically does not have it, and, therefore, does not add it;

The volume of the window does not change after tinting

1. Strengthening glass , which receives an additional layer;
2. No need for special care;
3. The ability to completely eliminate the film without any negative consequences for the window.

Minuses

1. The presence of some darkening of the glass . This is not to say that the panoramic view will not change at all, since the surrounding world will now become somewhat darker;
2. Mandatory adherence to special application technology . On the one hand, the process looks simple, but if it is performed poorly, the edges of the product will soon begin to peel off, and folds may form in the middle.

Glass tinting requires special technology

Photo ideas

Interesting ideas and photos for decorating balconies with curtains are presented to your attention in our article.

Safety glasses No. 7: ornamental plants

Sun-loving flowers perfectly complement the balcony

Flowers for a balcony, of course, will not do what, for example, curtains, blinds or even awnings are capable of, but they are great as an aesthetic addition, since they will not only decorate the room, still absorbing a certain amount of ultraviolet radiation, but They will also purify the air and refresh the interior with natural colors.

But what flowers should you plant on a balcony with a sunny side so that they do not wither on hot summer days, but delight you with their fresh appearance?

Here are some tips on this topic:

• Geranium is zonal or ivy-leaved. But if you have a leeward side, then it is better to stop on the first, since the leaves of the second will die under strong gusts of wind;

A sample of zonal geranium decorating a balcony façade

• Purslane. These are excellent flowers for a sunny balcony. Not only do they easily tolerate the sun, but they also open up only to it. This plant blooms from mid-July to the end of September;

Purslane simply loves plenty of sunlight.

• Snapdragon. As a child, I was always amazed by the unusual shape of the flowers of this representative of the ornamental flora. It is also absolutely unpretentious and blooms from May until the first cold weather;

A specimen of a flowering snapdragon

• Mother of thousands. It can withstand even forty-degree heat, although it does not have a particularly bright appearance;

Cymbalaria bush

• Sedums. For these “gentlemen”, in general, the hotter the better. Only in the heat will they form thick, persistent stems and lush leaves;

This is what sedums look like on the balcony

• Phlox Drummond. It loves light very much, but may not survive overheating of the root system. Therefore, make sure that the soil underneath is loose and moist;

Phlox Drummond himself

• Begonia ever-blooming. A perennial and very beautiful plant, also loving the sun;

White begonia everblooming

• Gaillardia. Wind, rain or heat - all this will not be able to break the small, but very weather-resistant flowers.

Stubborn gaillardia will withstand all adversity

Features of a sunny balcony

In winter, the microclimate on a glazed balcony depends entirely on the degree of thermal insulation and the possibility of connecting additional heating devices. You can create a comfortable environment and live peacefully on additional square meters.

In summer the situation is reversed. If you do not take care of blackout curtains or similar protection in advance, the environment will be uninhabitable. At a “room” street temperature of +20-25°C, it is very pleasant to relax or work on the loggia, but unpleasant surprises await residents:

• dry hot air - the closed room warms up to +40-45°C;
• lack of normal ventilation if swing/sliding structures are not enough;
• bright rays of the sun that interfere with reading, knitting, or just having a good time.

In such conditions, neither a person nor an animal will be able to stay on the balcony for a long time. The atmosphere for staying is very difficult, so you should drape the windows or choose another method of masking the glass. Of course, you can install an air conditioner, but the additional noise and electricity bills do not add optimism, and the equipment itself costs a lot of money. In addition, the rays of the sun will still shine in your eyes.

Safety glasses No. 8: foil

How to decorate the inside of a balcony to achieve maximum effect with minimal financial and labor costs? Foil. This is done simply:

Steps for applying foil to balcony glass

1. Buy foil film;

Roll of foil

1. The window openings of your balcony are measured
2. In accordance with the data obtained, markings are applied ;
3. Then fragments of the required size are cut out;
4. The resulting pieces are glued with adhesive tape to the glass with the reflective side facing outward from the outside or inside, as is more convenient.

Of course, as a result, the room will be plunged into darkness, but if the sun is too hot, and there is no time or money for more practical and aesthetic solutions to the problem, then this method is quite good, at least as temporary measures.

Austrian and French

It is recommended to choose curtains for a loggia of 6 meters or less that are compact and laconic, such as roller blinds, Roman ones, or hang blinds with small horizontal slats. But for the lucky owners of a spacious loggia, the list is replenished with Austrian, French or English curtains. They are united by their European origin and solemn pompous appearance. Obviously, this is inappropriate on a small balcony.

French and Austrian curtains form many folds where a large amount of dust will accumulate. Caring for them will require a lot of time and effort. This will not scare away a true connoisseur of luxury, especially since the efforts will be rewarded with an aesthetic and unique design of the balcony window.

French curtains have arched folds and scallops along their entire length. They give it a solemn look. This design is suitable if the loggia and the adjacent room are made in a classic style. As a rule, they are made from translucent fabrics. The design is laconic with a small number of components.

Safety glasses #9: Roman blinds

Roman blinds - a stylish solution for protecting the loggia from sunlight

As you might guess, this type of curtain appeared back in the days of Ancient Rome. It consists of a canvas fixed at the top and lowered down with a weight attached to its lower edge. Using a special cord, the bottom of the curtain begins to curl into a roll, rising upward. Such a device has its positive and negative sides:

pros

1. High level of light reflection . In this case, you can choose a translucent colored fabric, due to which the balcony will be painted in intricate shades;

You can even add a sea breeze to the interior

1. Compact and easy to use . If desired, they can be easily hung on their own and removed;
2. Possibility of making it yourself.

Minuses

Similar to those found in other textile curtains:

1. Tendency to accumulate dust;
2. Marking , forcing frequent washing;
3. Hydrophobicity . So, although it is possible to install these products outside, it is still not recommended.

Offers from manufacturers

I came across the following ready-made copies in specialized stores:

• Model “Comfort Terra”

Sample of Roman blinds “Comfort Terra”

• Model “Comfort Frost”:

Sample of the “Comfort Frost” model

• Model "DecoDr":

Sample model "DecoDr"

• Model "LUX":

Sample model "LUX"

Method 1: DIY

Hand-sewn curtains for a balcony will help you save money and also bring original ideas to life. The easiest way is to make Roman blinds for your loggia yourself. They can be translucent or made of thick fabric. They consist of one leaf or several (for each sash).

First you need to decide on the number of canvases and prepare everything you need:

• fabric of the required size;
• Velcro tape;
• nails and screws;
• wooden or plastic rods half a centimeter in diameter and 2-3 cm less than the width of the future curtain (6-8 pieces depending on the length of the product).
• a block for fastening the structure, equal to the width of the curtain (2.5x5 cm);
• plastic rings 1 cm in diameter (2-3 rings for each twig);
• weighting material (aluminum or wooden strip);
• cord;
• hook.

To determine the size and number of folds, use the table:

The procedure for making Roman blinds for a balcony with Velcro with your own hands: for every 10 cm of window, add 1.3-1.4 cm to the distance between the folds.

1. We take measurements and add 5-7 cm to the resulting numbers for seams and 14 cm for allowances. We cut and cut.
2. On the wrong side we mark the places of folds, folds and rings.
3. We make folds along the edges and stitch.
4. We attach Velcro to the block using nails.
5. We sew Velcro across the width of the curtain onto the top of the curtain. The Velcro product is easy to remove for washing and put back on.
6. We make a pocket in the lower part and place a weight bar there.
7. In places of folds on the wrong side there should be pockets for the rods. This could be aluminum wire or corset inserts. Sew the pockets on one side, then on the other side it will be convenient to take them out before washing the curtain.
8. On each pocket with rods (7 pcs.), we sew rings at an equal distance (3 pcs.) from each other. We also fix the rings on the block that holds the structure.
9. We assemble the product. We fix the fabric to the bar using Velcro.
10. We thread the cords into the rings, moving from bottom to top, and tie the cord tightly with several knots on the bottom ring. If the product has three vertical rows of rings, then there will be three separate cords. Each is fixed on the lower ring, passes vertically through all the rings along one line and is brought out horizontally from above through the rings on the block to the side. As a result, the ends of three cords will hang from the side above.
11. We collect the ends of the cords and tie them together. We cut off the excess. It is convenient to make another knot when the Roman blind is assembled.
12. We install a hook on the side of the window frame, which will hold the knots on the cord, fixing the curtain in assembled form. Do-it-yourself Roman blind on the balcony is ready!

Glass tinting rules

Many people want to apply film to their balcony glass, but don’t know how to do it. In fact, it is quite possible to tint a balcony with your own hands. This article and step-by-step photos will help you. What is needed for this?

Be sure to prepare a spray bottle, a utility knife, a thin needle, a rubber spatula, and the window tinting film itself.

First of all, you need to clean the windows from dirt. It is also necessary to degrease the glass. By the way, the glass itself does not need to be removed from the wooden frames or the rubber bands on the sides of the plastic windows should be removed. To apply the tint, you need to make a soap solution.

To make the solution “correct,” you need to dissolve five to six drops of liquid soap or detergent in one and a half liters of water. The solution can be applied using a spray bottle.

To prevent the glass from being too wet, after applying the solution to it, run a rubber spatula over the glass.

Then you need to make film patterns. To do this, measure the balcony windows and cut out pieces of film with a margin. Remember that it is better to make the pattern a little with a margin.

When making a pattern with your own hands, you need to use a stationery knife. It is best to apply the film to the window so that the pattern is as reliable as possible. When all this is ready, you need to wash your windows and hands again.

Separating the protective layer from the tint is not easy. Therefore, it is better to do this together, because the film tends to wrap and wrinkle. Remember that there should not be even the slightest dirt on your hands.

The tint film must be applied to the windows so that horizontal creases do not appear. The film should adhere to the glass as tightly as possible. This is precisely the guarantee that there will be no air between it and the glass, and therefore no wrinkles.

If a fold has formed, then it is necessary to pierce it with a thin needle so that the air comes out. Then smooth the crease from the edges towards the opening. During smoothing, more air will come out, which will improve the quality of the tint.

This is interesting: DIY hawthorn hedge: how to make

How to get a tan through regular window glass

There are 3 types of sunlight, but not all of them penetrate through glass.

Let's study them:

The combination of sun rays A and B will help you tan; tandem is not uncommon in nature, but how realistic is it to get the result at home?

Information about whether it is possible to tan through glass, what determines success:

1. As a material, it represents a barrier to high-wavelength radiation, that is, window glass does not allow ultraviolet B rays into the house.
2. G radiation that does not reach the planet is not dangerous; it will not penetrate glass.
3. Alpha remains, they are dangerous, lead to redness of the integument, activity increases at noon. Such rays penetrate through glass, but it is difficult to obtain a bronze-colored tan with their help.

Is it possible to get bronze skin at home, through window glass, on the balcony:

• in fact, no, since a combination of spectrum A and B is required;
• it is impossible to get the result at home;
• If you go outside, rays A and B will hit your skin, causing it to darken.

While at work in the summer, standing near the window glass, a person comes into contact with the sun, rays A partially fall on the skin. When you go outside in the morning or after work, your skin comes into contact with ultraviolet radiation. Type B rays increase the result, the skin becomes darker due to the secretion of the hormone melanin.