Clever Ways to Block Sunlight on Your Apartment Balcony

The sun can be a sly pest. Sure, we all want a bit of daylight in our homes, but once summer hits and the rays hit just right—suddenly your balcony turns into an oven. I’ve been there: one July afternoon in Manchester, I stepped onto my balcony to enjoy some fresh air, and it felt more like stepping inside a hot car. If you love sitting outside, growing a few plants, or trying to have a coffee without sweat dripping down your back, you know the struggle. But with some smart moves, you can actually block that sun and make your little outdoor spot comfortable all season.

Understanding Balcony Sun Exposure and Its Impact

Let’s talk bluntly about sun exposure for a moment. You might think, "How bad can it really get?" But on a hot, cloudless day, surfaces like concrete or tile can heat up to over 50°C (that’s 122°F!). In the UK, the highest temperatures in recent years have smashed records—with some southern cities hitting the high 30s Celsius (over 100°F) during major heatwaves. Manchester doesn’t get quite that extreme, but even here, a sun-facing balcony can feel unbearable from late June through August.

What’s worse, too much ultraviolet (UV) light is not just an annoyance; it’s a health hazard. Prolonged exposure doesn’t just lead to a red nose—skin damage, faster ageing, and higher risk of skin cancer are all linked with those invisible UV rays. Then there’s the wear and tear on your plants, your outdoor cushions, and anything else you leave outside. Faded fabrics, warped furniture, and drooping ferns are all signs you’re getting too much sun.

Most UK apartments are not exactly built with southern Spain in mind—a lot of developers skimp when it comes to outdoor shading. That puts you in charge of sorting out a fix. But listen: you don’t need to become an architect or spend months hunting for rare materials. There’s a growing market for quick, effective, and even stylish options to block sun on balconies.

If you have concerns about privacy, too, you’re hardly alone. Every second person in my building peeks over their railings, and getting some shade also means you’re shielding yourself from neighbours’ stares. The solutions I’ll run through aren’t just about keeping cool—they double as privacy boosters and, in a lot of cases, can give your balcony some instant style points.

Here’s an interesting fact: Over 70% of people living in cities across the UK report that their balconies get “uncomfortably hot or bright” during summer. And just under half say they’ve actually avoided using their outdoor spaces for this reason. That’s a lot of wasted square footage (especially when rent’s as high as it is!), all down to the positioning of the sun.

So, before you run out and buy the first roll of mesh you see or try to convince your landlord to let you install a roof, let’s explore what actually works, how it compares, and how to make your balcony a mini escape—even during the brightest days.

Types of Sun Blockers: From Classic to Clever

The world of sun blockers is bigger than you might think. Builders usually imagine people will resolve the problem with a simple umbrella, but let’s be honest—those things tip over in the slightest breeze, barely cover anything, and look a bit sad by midsummer. So what are your options? Here’s a rundown of options that actually make a difference:

• Balcony Sun Shades: Retractable canopy systems, roller blinds, or UV-blocking outdoor curtains are the heavy-hitters here. Fabric shades made of acrylic or polyester can block over 90% of UV rays if you get the right specs. I’ve tried both motorised and manual versions, and for most people, manual ones work just fine (unless you want to splurge for a bit of drama).
• Privacy Screens: Bamboo, reed, or synthetic privacy screens pull double duty—providing both shade and cover from prying eyes. These tend to be super easy to install and don’t need you to drill holes everywhere. They’re popular for a reason: flexible, cheap, and they look natural.
• Outdoor Blinds: Similar to the plastic blinds you’d use indoors but built for outdoor weather. UV-resistant PVC or mesh models snap onto railings or frames. You can raise or lower them, and they handle Manchester rain better than fabric. The denser the mesh, the more sun and glare they block.
• Plants: You’d be amazed what climbing ivy or a tall planter box packed with sunflowers can do. Greenery creates "living shade" and also cools the air. Fast-growing options like morning glories or runner beans give serious vertical coverage if you set them up with a trellis.
• Deck Umbrellas: Okay, yes, umbrellas aren’t all useless. A heavy-duty cantilever umbrella lets you swing the canopy wherever you want. Look for those with UV protection built into the fabric, and get the kind that tilt—this way you can adjust as the sun moves. They’re one of the few options allowed on rented balconies almost everywhere.

Still, every solution has its quirks. Curtains and big umbrellas can block your breeze if you’re not careful, and tall plants take weeks to grow. On the plus side, UK law actually makes it pretty easy to install temporary balcony 'furniture' so long as you’re not drilling into shared exterior walls. Always check your lease, because some landlords are picky about fixing things to railings or installing permanent screens.

Here’s a tip: outdoor-rated roller shades offer one of the best balances between cost and usability. My neighbour Lucy installed a set along her south-facing railing and knocked the temperature down by nearly 8°C. No greenhouse effect, no fuss with wind catching the edge like a cheap umbrella.

DIY and Budget-Friendly Sun-Blocking Ideas

If you’re not looking to splurge, you can block the sun on your apartment balcony with surprisingly little gear—or money. Growing up, a lot of us learned tricks from parents who could improvise shade with just a bed sheet and some string. That spirit’s alive and well, but now you’ve got more choices. Here are DIY tricks that actually work:

• Attach a Sail Shade: You can pick up a triangular or rectangle sail shade (basically a tough piece of UV-blocking fabric with metal rings) online or at home stores. With a few zip ties or a bungee cord, you can anchor it from your balcony railing up to hooks or brackets on your ceiling/wall. Watch out for wind, though: always angle the sail so rainwater can run off, and never leave it up during storms.
• Repurpose Curtains: Outdoor-rated curtains—sometimes called 'thermal drapes'—are cheap, ready-made, and block light fast. You don’t even need to install a rail; use adhesive hooks and tension rods to keep things landlord-friendly. On sunny days, just pull them closed.
• Bamboo Mats and Reed Screens: These roll up and down, making them perfect for renters. You can use garden ties or zip ties to secure them to the inside of your balcony rail, blocking sun low on the horizon. Reed screens are especially good for south-facing spaces where the sun comes in at a slant.
• Upcycled Sheet Art: If you’ve ever been to a festival (or as Elara has done for summer get-togethers), you’ll know: a bold print sheet or tapestry gives a bit of theatrical shade. Just string across with cord or cable ties between railing and a few anchor points. It’s temporary, cheap, and easy to stash away if you need to make the space look tidy.
• Hanging Baskets and Vertical Green Walls: Plants are the best multitaskers. A tiered rack or even just hooking up a few hanging baskets can eat up a ton of direct sunlight—and cool the air through evaporation. Go for hardy species like trailing fuchsia or nasturtium if you’re not blessed with a gardener’s thumb.

Don’t forget, not all fabrics work equally well. High-density polyethylene (HDPE), now common in sail shades, can block up to 95% of UV—far more than old-style canvas. If you’re getting creative with materials, it’s worth investing in fabric rated for outdoor use, so you’re not spearing through sun-bleached sheets every season.

One study from Sheffield Hallam University tested balcony sun shades and found that using a simple sail shade cut ambient temperature by up to 12°C, compared with a bare balcony. And you can get a decent “shade sail” for under £30. Most of these install in an hour and take ten minutes to pack away.

If you’re worried about the wind (Manchester’s got plenty), make sure your sun-blockers are fixed securely. Use bungee cords or heavy-duty zip ties; the last thing you want is hunting for your privacy screen in the bushes two floors down.

Finding the Right Balance: Shade, Light, and Airflow

Blocking the sun isn’t just about throwing up the thickest curtain you can find and calling it a day. If you shut out all the light, you’ll be left with a dark, musty balcony—plus, your indoor rooms might feel gloomy too. The real art is in finding a balance: keeping direct sunlight out during peak hours, without losing fresh air or the rare golden-hour glow.

First, consider which direction your balcony faces. East-facing spots get strong sun in the morning, so you need shades that are useful early in the day, but can be rolled away by afternoon. West-facing balconies are the opposite—the sum can be fierce after 3 pm, so adjustable vertical screens or rails packed with tall plants are a real help. South-facing balconies soak up sun for the longest, and if you’ve got one of these, layering a few solutions together is your best bet: combine a fixed screen, some tall planters, and a moveable curtain or umbrella.

Don’t underestimate how much airflow matters—especially if you want your balcony to be bearable in the evenings. Some privacy screens can block breeze along with sunlight, so choosing mesh or slatted wood designs works better than solid panels. HDPE mesh is brilliant: it blocks out most of the harsh light but still lets fresh air pass through.

Let’s talk about windows and doors, too. If your balcony runs alongside a glass sliding door, the right sun shade can also keep your inside rooms cooler, slashing how hard you hammer your fan or air con (if you’ve got one). Solar gain through glass is real—simply shading the outside side of the glass can keep indoor temps down by several degrees. The UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that during 2023’s heatwave, households with outdoor shading used about 20% less electricity for fans and cooling. Let your shades do double duty here.

If you’re into low-maintenance solutions, you can set up an adjustable blind or roll-down screen, so you’re just changing the setup with one hand depending on the weather. This keeps things easy if you’re in and out a lot, or if Manchester clouds roll in and you’d rather not sit in the dark.

Elara and I played around with combinations for a while. In the end, our go-to was a tall bamboo screen plus outdoor curtains with tie-backs and a leafy green wall on one side. This setup blocks the block sun apartment balcony problem right at the source, but leaves open corners to catch the breeze. On weekends, we can roll back the curtains, let the light in, then lock things down once the sun hits peak power. The neighbours get their privacy, we get our shade, and the ferns don’t fry.

One last tip: try to avoid permanent changes unless you own the place. Temporary and removable sun blockers are your friends. If you move house, you can take them with you—and there’s no fighting with your landlord at the end of your lease.

Is it possible to have style, shade, and comfort in a UK high-rise? Absolutely. With a little creativity and some of these strategies, you’ll soon have a cool, private balcony space that works even on the hottest days. And the best part? It’s your call—mix and match, DIY or buy new, it’s all in your hands.