Apartment Balcony Shade help

[Shyvioletisme]

DH and I live in a 3rd floor apartment that gets DIRECT sunlight in the afternoons. As you can see, we are in Texas, so it gets quite hot in the afternoons. Even with the air on, it gets warmer than I'd like once it really heats up outside as the air can't keep up because of the direct sun we get.

Does anyone know of anything we could do to try and shade our balcony to keep a little bit of the sun out? Our bedroom is the coolest room because even though it faces the same way as the living room and diving room, it is shaded by a large tree. So i'm wondering if anyone has any ideas of anything we can do to block out a little of sun in the living and dining areas(they both face out onto the balcony...which isn't covered at all, so it gets extra hot)?


not really versed on this as our previous apartment was completely shaded by trees and we never had issues like this.

 

[Mom2Nick]

You can get heavy insulated curtains and see if that helps. You can also put a UV film on the glass to help deflect the heat as well.

 

[Disney Doll]

How about a patio umbrella on a stand that you can tilt so you can block a good portion of the patio from the sun.

http://www.patioshoppers.com/products/8_5_All_Steel_Offset_Umbrella-1556-0.html

 

[suzimar57]

that umbrella sounds like a good idea - i was thinking more along the lines of an attached awning to block the sun - otherwise, i'd probably get blinds, room darkening shades AND heavy lined drapes - and use them all - i've lived on the top floor of several apartment buildings facing east, so i know what you're going through

 

[Disney Doll]

I've also seen what looks sort of like a rattan shade that you attach and it hangs down.

http://www.target.com/Radiance-Impe...&frombrowse=0&rh=k:outdoor patio shade&page=1

 

[ericamanda01]

I've also seen what looks sort of like a rattan shade that you attach and it hangs down.

http://www.target.com/Radiance-Impe...&frombrowse=0&rh=k:outdoor patio shade&page=1

This is what we have and they work pretty good. The sunlight still comes thru a little, but the breeze is still able to come thru, which helps alot in the summer.

 

[SandrA9810]

I'd go with the UV film on the windows first. Because I'm sure you still enjoy having the sunlight come through.

Or try marine grade vinyl they use on like campers, or from SunSetters retractable awnings. Create like a roman shade out of it. My aunt was head of a company that dealt with all sorts of vinyls and sold to companies that made awnings. There's some that are like a woven material vs being solid and darkening.

 

[SpecialK]

I've also seen what looks sort of like a rattan shade that you attach and it hangs down.

http://www.target.com/Radiance-Impe...&frombrowse=0&rh=k:outdoor patio shade&page=1

When we were first married, we lived in a third floor, west-facing apt. No trees or buildings to block any sun. My husband hung a shade similar to the one in the post above on the outside edge of the roof over the balcony. It helped tremendously. We still got light but we no longer baked.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

I've also seen what looks sort of like a rattan shade that you attach and it hangs down.

http://www.target.com/Radiance-Impe...&frombrowse=0&rh=k:outdoor patio shade&page=1

this is what I was kind of thinking of, but wasn't sure at all where I might look for something like this...thanks!

You can get heavy insulated curtains and see if that helps. You can also put a UV film on the glass to help deflect the heat as well.

thank you for all the responses everyone! All wonderful ideas...I might try the UV film first and see what it does and then move on from there if needed...the blinds sound wonderful!
I'd love a big umbrella, but I'm not sure we really have room for one yet! maybe at our next apartment!