Q: Hi Apartment Therapy! Thanks for all the help as I move into my first apartment here in hot, sunny LA. My living room and bedroom both have sliding glass doors/windows that are three panels wide. This makes most of my apartment a baking sun room for most of the day. (That's especially tough in these first summer months.)
I've learned (and am a firm believer in the theory) that blocking and shading from outside the window keeps the sun from the glass and reduces the heat in the room. For now I've been using a hung up sheet and an unattached woven curtain leaning on the building from outside, and it's proven more effective at heat-protection than shading from within.
I've looked at options like trellises, umbrellas, exterior roman shades, even the expensive option of potted trees. I've adorned my new balcony with plants and decor (not yet tall enough!), and it would be an added bonus if the patio itself could also benefit from the shading option I find. The fact that it's a rental means adding a larger awning to the building is not an option, but I need some way to protect the glass windows as well as make the patio a bit more liveable.
I already plan on making a burlap patio-rug, but for sun? Can I find a free-standing trellis or sun-screen that won't blow down? (Maybe tie it to the railing?) Is there a cheap option for Roman shades that can go in front of a sliding glass door? Is there a large breeze-safe cheap umbrella out there? I'm on a budget but would do almost anything to keep my home cool. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction for this issue!
Sent by Gwenna M
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1. Get matchstick rattan blinds to hang outside the doors.
2. An umbrella is a great idea and this time of year you can probably get a lovely one on clearance somewhere. Get one that tilts so you can get maximum sun blockage.
3M (and probably other companies as well) sells sunblock window film.
Solar fabric. We bought some online (sorry, I don't remember the website, it was several years ago), and it made a huge difference in our MBR and front porch. Depending on the amount of blocking you choose, it can still let in light.
Potted trees are quite expensive. A cheaper alternative to trees would be ornamental grasses. They're also less like to tip over as compared to trees, and if they do tip, it's not the end of the world. However, be warned if you get hay fever.
I just bought this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EBKG9A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00
It's great so far. I have bamboo/rattan blinds because I do like having a bit of sun in my room, but the window by my bed got too bright in the morning. So I used the film on the glass and it's perfect!
Gila Titanium Heat Control Window Film from Home Depot - It's is a energy saving film that will reduce the amount of heat that comes through the glass. It's AMAZING what a difference it makes. I live in FL & just installed it in my living room that faces East and would get so unbearably hot and keep my AC running constantly. Worth every penny, diy-able, and It'll save your interior from fading. It's made such a difference in my house and my electric bill.
Sorry, it's called sunblock fabric, not solar fabric. Here's a site:https://www.thenaturalhome.com/shadecloth.htm
Also, Gila film is something I've used in several homes (in MS).
A real quick and easy way to block the sun is roll up bamboo blinds you can buy anywhere. You can attached them to the overhang on the roof, and roll up when not needed.
We just did this at our rental. we used small PVC pipe to anchor both ends of solar fabri we bought cheaply onling and used a non-office supply stapler to attach it to the overhang. we did a pvc frame and zip tied it to the railing on the balcony, so as not to injure the rental property. (we fudged that by having about 18 staple holes under the overhang.
Made a measured 8 degree F difference in the room next to the window we shaded
I have pictures. I could take some nicer ones and sent them to you. Womyn2me at aol dot com
I agree with Angelinathebaker. Rattan shades/bamboo blinds to hang outside and an umbrella for the patio itself. With the shades, you can lower then during the hottest part of the day but when the evening comes around and you want a bit of light in the apartment, you can roll them up.
My friend uses canopies from Ikea to shade her totally-in-the-sun balcony. It took a bit of ingenuity to hang it up but I like it better than film:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/outdoor/17887/
(second row; Dyning canopies + some other Ikea ideas)
If you don't love your patio railing or your view, you can attach bamboo fencing to the rail with thin wire, or garbage bag ties. It's about 6 feet tall, comes on a roll and is pretty affordable. I did this on a patio years ago and it not only solved the light and heat problem for me, but also created a gorgeous, private oasis out of a previously very public, never-used patio...a few plants, a little rug and comfy chair, and I found myself out there all the time. Good luck, and congrats on the new place!
i would agree with AUNTI LAURA & MCROSS, look at investing in a 3 or 4 sided canopy if you are wanting to get some shade on the outside as well as the inside. Zip tie 2 PVC (or even galvanized fence post cuz they're cheap) to the railing for 2 of the posts. using an outdoor umbrella stand with a post in it to create the 3rd and/or 4th post stand against the wall. then attach the canopy to it. you could even use large clay/plastic post for the pole(s) & plant something in them to distract from the poles themselves & weigh down the pots!
I think it's wonderful that all of you people are willing to take the time to provide answers for this person! It makes me like AT and all of its readers soooooooo much!
1.Get Bamboo blinds, flat or matchstick. They last for years, you still get some light through them. We take them down in winter. When restaining window trim we decided to stain the blinds and it worked.
2 For shade on the patio lift the bottom of one shade and attach to the balcony railing. If that is too low for sitting under, lash a couple of strong bamboo or cedar stakes or mini trellis to the balcony and screw cup hooks into the top of them. They don't have to be super sturdy because you aren't leaving them in that position.
We hang our blinds on small, screw in, hooks. Don't buy one gigantic blind having several is more flexible.
I think Angelinethebaker has the right idea.
You could mount a couple lengths of PVC pipe to the outside of your patio (with some wire, nothing premanent) and slide the umbrellas into the pipe, securing with a screw. They won't blow away and you can still have full access to your patio.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2319323_build-deck-rail-umbrella-holder.html
You could probably find some on Craigslist, or on sale somewhere at this time of year..
We have a very similar problem and my solution was to buy 2 rectangular patio umbrellas and line them up. Now it's almost as if we have a regular porch.
I like that I have the option to quickly crank them down and tie them securely if it's particularly blustery and I'm worried about the wind (which would be harder to do easily with a canopy or exterior blinds, which don't secure at the bottom). Plus, it's nice to have them down on chilly days to catch the sun.
For my rented house, I got some UV protection exterior window shades from Coolaroo (http://www.coolaroousa.com/) that were on sale. They've worked well.
Blocking it from the outside is likely to be the most efficient way, yes, but since that's proving to be such a problem, why not see whether curtains on the inside will provide enough relief? Some heat will get in, but if it's trapped between the curtains and the glass, who cares?
Classof 65, where in LA are you? I have a balcony and glass doors very similar to yours, and you are right to be concerned about the wind. Our late September-early October winds have taken down many a jury rigged shade option in Santa Monica, where we also contend with daily onshore and offshore breezes.
I have found that large planters with vine-covered trellises anchored in their soil are the best solution. It took me a while because I started with smaller plants, but if you spend more than I did, you can get lovely 6' vines in planters at Armstrongs (better quality than HD). After you get them, you'll suddenly notice that they're stocked everywhere, because they work so well. The glossy-leaved star jasmine are popular because of the fragrance and year-round foliage.
Roll or two of aluminum foil, scotch tape and a needle. Tape foil on outside (or inside if there's no way to reach outside) of windows safely. Once up, scratch little triangles with the needle to let in some light that's filtered. Worked wonders on my south facing windows when I lived in NYC without air-conditioning. Rips off easily when you want winter sunlight. Or, I suppose you could put up white plastic contact paper to reflect light and cut out stencilled designs if you want something a bit more regularly and artistic.
I've used exterior-mounted Coolaroo shades for that application for about 15 years. They seem to last forever, let air pass through, don't fade, and cut direct and reflected heat dramatically. I attached them (they are roller shades) to the underside of the outer edge of the soffit, so I can skirt past them to go in and out without having to roll them up. They are widely available in widths for standard sliders, and in custom widths online.
You might check out canvas painter's dropcloths, which might be cheaper than the official sun fabrics. Also check out columnar potted plants, like dwarf cypress-y things. Spring for the trays with wheels on the bottom to put the pots on, and you can move those around to block the sun.
I'd look into a sail shade that can be mounted between the roof eave and the balcony. Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Idirectmart-Square-Shade-Sail-Inches/dp/B00548UBMU/ref=pd_sim_lg_1
I think it's ideal to have thick glass with very strong film to prevent the sun from entering directly -- this makes the efficiency of your cooling better and reduces the air conditioning cost.
I'm a contractor and advise on this as part of my practice.
- Jim
Aire-Flo Heating
I created a simple awning for my rental balcony this summer and it has worked great. I got a few yards of outdoor fabric, put grommets in the corners and then screwed in hooks above the windows. I also twisty-tied some bamboo poles to the railing and attached the other end of the awning to those. Instant shade, and leaves no trace when I take it down! :)
I have seen window clings applied to big windows like this that look amazing. You could call up a local vinyl company to have them cut you out a few rolls of vinyl into just about any design you can come up with. City skylines, trees, lattice, geometric designs, or pretty much anything you can come up with. You might even be able to format a cool wallpaper design onto your windows. For gods sake, avoid the foil unless you want your leasing office all over you!
Thank you all SO MUCH. Today out of desperation we created a type of canopy very similar to many of these ideas. (That sheet attached to old brooms tied up to the railing) Now seeing how well that worked in addition to all of your brilliant suggestions I'm excited to find some canvas, drop cloth or sail to create some canopies attached to some piping. (Especially now that the LA heat wave is over!) Again, thank you all so much. AT is THE BEST!
Hi, I know you posted this a little bit ago, but where did you find the rectangle umbrellas? This is exactly what I need to make a stable outdoor work area for my staff.