I hope I have chosen the right subforum, as my question doesn’t perfectly fit anywhere.
We are planning to install one or two awnings above our terrace. It is a multi-family building, and we have a ground-floor apartment with a continuous terrace area, as wide as our living space (see pictures). Above part of it is the balcony of the apartment above (width approximately 4m (13 feet); the awning would be about 3.5m (11.5 feet) wide and 3–3.5m (10–11.5 feet) deep), while the other area is uncovered (width about 5m (16.5 feet); the awning would be 4.5m (15 feet) wide and 3.5–4m (11.5–13 feet) deep). Since our terrace faces roughly south-southwest, we would ideally like to have an awning over both areas, as the balcony offers only little sun protection during the day. However, the uncovered area is more important. So far, we have obtained quotes from local specialist companies. They also examined the situation on site, as the installation is somewhat complicated (as it turned out later). These companies should know what they are doing, but so far we have not felt completely confident about any of the proposed solutions or fully convinced. Therefore, we would appreciate additional opinions about the possible installation methods.
Uncovered terrace area:
The “installation issue” with the uncovered terrace area is that the first-floor apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entire width (see pictures as well). These floor-to-ceiling windows naturally have fall protection barriers. Because of these barriers, the awning cannot be attached directly to the wall.
One company (which installs Klaiber awnings) suggested mounting the awning directly onto the brackets/supports of the fall protection barriers on the floor-to-ceiling windows. What do you think about this? I have a feeling these supports are probably not designed to also carry the weight of an awning!? We were told to ask the construction company about this, but there is no cooperation or assistance available. Additionally, the awning would be quite large at 4.5m x 4m (approximately 14.75 ft x 13 ft) (fully extended 18m² (194 ft²)). That must be a considerable weight.
Another company (which installs Hella awnings) proposed having custom spacer brackets fabricated by a metalworker and then attaching the awning to the wall. I actually prefer this option, but custom-made brackets? Are there no ready-made solutions from the awning manufacturers that are approved for this? Also, there is the question regarding the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS, or “external wall insulation”). These custom spacer brackets would be attached to the wall, but the insulation is not load-bearing material. Can it handle these loads at all? The company said that nowadays you can’t remove the ETICS, but there are special anchor bolts for this. I looked it up, and such anchors do exist, but wouldn’t these brackets need to be fastened directly to the concrete behind the insulation? Presumably, just like the fall protection brackets, which come out of the wall, I assume this is how it should be done. Otherwise, the screws would have to go from the anchor in the concrete through the insulation before holding the spacer brackets. This would create quite a lever effect because the insulation is quite thick nowadays, and the screws have no grip in it. It would feel like hanging a heavy object 15–20cm (6–8 inches) away from the wall, only supported by screws. Or am I misunderstanding something?
As a layperson, I would suspect the best option is to remove some of the insulation, then fasten the spacer brackets underneath the insulation directly to the concrete, and then close the insulation again. After that, mount the awning on these spacer brackets.
Covered area:
There is no problem with the insulation here, but the same issue regarding the distance applies. Here, it is the fall protection of the balcony instead of the windows, as unfortunately it is a prefabricated balcony and not a “built-on” balcony. Basically, the question is where and how it should be best attached here. Also with custom spacer brackets?
I would greatly appreciate expert advice. I am also open to tips regarding awning manufacturers (How do Klaiber and Hella compare?). I often see Markilux, Weinor, and Warema described as top brands. I have read less about Hella and Klaiber so far.
We are planning to install one or two awnings above our terrace. It is a multi-family building, and we have a ground-floor apartment with a continuous terrace area, as wide as our living space (see pictures). Above part of it is the balcony of the apartment above (width approximately 4m (13 feet); the awning would be about 3.5m (11.5 feet) wide and 3–3.5m (10–11.5 feet) deep), while the other area is uncovered (width about 5m (16.5 feet); the awning would be 4.5m (15 feet) wide and 3.5–4m (11.5–13 feet) deep). Since our terrace faces roughly south-southwest, we would ideally like to have an awning over both areas, as the balcony offers only little sun protection during the day. However, the uncovered area is more important. So far, we have obtained quotes from local specialist companies. They also examined the situation on site, as the installation is somewhat complicated (as it turned out later). These companies should know what they are doing, but so far we have not felt completely confident about any of the proposed solutions or fully convinced. Therefore, we would appreciate additional opinions about the possible installation methods.
Uncovered terrace area:
The “installation issue” with the uncovered terrace area is that the first-floor apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows spanning the entire width (see pictures as well). These floor-to-ceiling windows naturally have fall protection barriers. Because of these barriers, the awning cannot be attached directly to the wall.
One company (which installs Klaiber awnings) suggested mounting the awning directly onto the brackets/supports of the fall protection barriers on the floor-to-ceiling windows. What do you think about this? I have a feeling these supports are probably not designed to also carry the weight of an awning!? We were told to ask the construction company about this, but there is no cooperation or assistance available. Additionally, the awning would be quite large at 4.5m x 4m (approximately 14.75 ft x 13 ft) (fully extended 18m² (194 ft²)). That must be a considerable weight.
Another company (which installs Hella awnings) proposed having custom spacer brackets fabricated by a metalworker and then attaching the awning to the wall. I actually prefer this option, but custom-made brackets? Are there no ready-made solutions from the awning manufacturers that are approved for this? Also, there is the question regarding the external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS, or “external wall insulation”). These custom spacer brackets would be attached to the wall, but the insulation is not load-bearing material. Can it handle these loads at all? The company said that nowadays you can’t remove the ETICS, but there are special anchor bolts for this. I looked it up, and such anchors do exist, but wouldn’t these brackets need to be fastened directly to the concrete behind the insulation? Presumably, just like the fall protection brackets, which come out of the wall, I assume this is how it should be done. Otherwise, the screws would have to go from the anchor in the concrete through the insulation before holding the spacer brackets. This would create quite a lever effect because the insulation is quite thick nowadays, and the screws have no grip in it. It would feel like hanging a heavy object 15–20cm (6–8 inches) away from the wall, only supported by screws. Or am I misunderstanding something?
As a layperson, I would suspect the best option is to remove some of the insulation, then fasten the spacer brackets underneath the insulation directly to the concrete, and then close the insulation again. After that, mount the awning on these spacer brackets.
Covered area:
There is no problem with the insulation here, but the same issue regarding the distance applies. Here, it is the fall protection of the balcony instead of the windows, as unfortunately it is a prefabricated balcony and not a “built-on” balcony. Basically, the question is where and how it should be best attached here. Also with custom spacer brackets?
I would greatly appreciate expert advice. I am also open to tips regarding awning manufacturers (How do Klaiber and Hella compare?). I often see Markilux, Weinor, and Warema described as top brands. I have read less about Hella and Klaiber so far.
P
pagoni202019 Jul 2020 17:59If you install something that in any way affects the resident on the first floor, I would rather avoid doing that.
There are various options for standalone awnings or shading systems, including those from the mentioned Klaiber, but also from other manufacturers. I have also seen freestanding louvered roofs here. I can imagine that more easily than attaching something where neither I nor the contractors would feel completely comfortable.
Alternatively, a continuous glass roof with internal shading, possibly even manual, could be considered.
There are various options for standalone awnings or shading systems, including those from the mentioned Klaiber, but also from other manufacturers. I have also seen freestanding louvered roofs here. I can imagine that more easily than attaching something where neither I nor the contractors would feel completely comfortable.
Alternatively, a continuous glass roof with internal shading, possibly even manual, could be considered.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
If you install something that affects the occupant of the first floor in any way, I would rather not do it.
There are various options for a free-standing awning or shading system, including those from Klaiber but also other brands. I have also seen louvered roofs here, also free-standing. I could imagine that more than attaching something where both I and the contractors would only feel somewhat comfortable.
It might also be possible to have a continuous glass roof with integrated shading, possibly even manual. We have also considered free-standing shading, but we actually do not want additional supports. If there are supports everywhere, it probably wouldn’t look very good.
Regarding the occupant of the first floor:
1. I think it doesn’t really concern them if I install an awning there.
2. This particular occupant has already taken over certain spots in the building (free spaces where you could place something, which are actually not allowed due to fire protection regulations) or, for example, drilled several screws into the ceiling of the underground garage to install a mounting bracket for their roof box (which is the floor of our apartment… I just hope they didn’t drill too deep) — all without asking anyone. So I have little hesitation to attach something to the facade, especially since this has already been approved as a general permit by all owners.
I am open to further or alternative suggestions. If there is a good alternative to the awning, we are not opposed to it. Maybe there is something we haven’t thought of yet.
P
pagoni202019 Jul 2020 18:17Okay, clear. Then maybe seal off the upper window with concrete.
The idea would rather be that you can always sit under the glass, even in the rain, but yes, there are special posts for that; although if they were made of metal, it might not necessarily look bad.
In the end, you’ll probably need to find a supplier for whom this is not a problem; if necessary, inquire with someone outside your area and send these pictures in advance.
The idea would rather be that you can always sit under the glass, even in the rain, but yes, there are special posts for that; although if they were made of metal, it might not necessarily look bad.
In the end, you’ll probably need to find a supplier for whom this is not a problem; if necessary, inquire with someone outside your area and send these pictures in advance.
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