Rainwater can significantly ruin your balcony if a lot of it gets into that space. In addition to that, it can even allow water to enter your apartment.
As a result, your flooring, carpets, or electronics could have water damage.
That said, there are various options to protect your apartment balcony from rain.
Some of them are costly and highly effective. However, there are a few cost-effective and temporary solutions as well.
This article offers a few options on how to protect an apartment balcony from rain.
Different Options to Protect an Apartment Balcony from Rain
It’s important to note that the solutions below are focused on preventing water from entering your balcony. So, they are not options to prevent water from entering your apartment via the balcony.
Moreover, some of these solutions require construction work to hang certain materials on your balcony.
If you live in a rented apartment, you will need to consult your apartment owner first.
Drilling holes in an apartment can be a violation of your lease contract. So, make sure to review yours thoroughly. It will most likely detail what is and is not allowed.
The apartment owner may take an amount of your security deposit if you damage the walls. This act will be to cover the costs of the damages.
Speak to the apartment owner if there is no such information available. Also, speak to them even if you are permitted to drill holes in the apartment.
This way, you won’t potentially upset the owner.
Outdoor Blinds or Shades
You can install outdoor blinds or shades to keep your balcony relatively dry during the rainy season.
There are a few different ways to install outdoor blinds. Some of them are more effective at keeping the rain away.
You can consult the expert installing the blinds for recommendations.
Also, you may need to consult the apartment owner about some installation methods.
Outdoor blinds are retractable. Therefore, you can close them whenever the rain starts. You can also open them and allow sunlight to enter your balcony.
Outdoor blinds come in various materials. Plastic and wooden ones are the best at protecting your balcony from rainwater.
It can also help if the blinds close tightly. This way, there won’t be gaps through which the water can enter the balcony.
You can consider getting transparent plastic (PVC) blinds for your apartment balcony. This way, you can see outside while it is raining.
PVC is also the most effective material for protecting your balcony because it won’t soak water.
You should avoid thin blinds with many gaps between each piece when it’s closed fully. These outdoor blinds will do little to prevent rainwater from entering your apartment balcony.
Use a Large Umbrella
A simple yet effective solution for small balconies is a large umbrella. Use one that can be mounted onto a stand.
You can place the umbrella in the middle of your balcony or in one corner. Where you keep the umbrella will depend on the size of your balcony and the area.
Its placement may also vary based on what you want to protect most from the rainwater.
This solution may not be as effective as most. However, it’s still a cost-effective and easy way to keep your apartment balcony dry.
If you have a large balcony, you can consider using more than one umbrella.
Make sure that it’s secure to the ground. This way, it won’t fly off and potentially injure someone at ground level.
Thus, you should never use an umbrella in stormy areas. If you have no other option, you can use it by tying it securely with thick rope to a metal railing.
Consider Installing an Awning
A retractable awning is an excellent solution for keeping your balcony relatively dry on rainy days. They will require installation.
However, after that, you can retract them. This way, you ensure that you still get direct sunlight on your apartment balcony when it isn’t raining.
An awning is also a great way to improve the overall look of your balcony. Awnings also come in various sizes. So, you can get one that perfectly fits the size of your balcony.
One of the major disadvantages of an awning for keeping away rainwater is that it offers no protection on the sides.
So, if the wind is strong during the rains, you can expect your balcony to still get wet.
In addition to that, an awning may only work for balconies that don’t have tall railings on the side. Nevertheless, the installation experts will be able to determine if one can fit into your balcony.
Some Points to Keep in Mind When Considering Getting an Awning
An awning is a costly solution. An entire structure will need to be built for it. Therefore, you should only consider it if you experience rain for a considerable amount of the year.
If not, it may not be worth the expense. You can, however, use it for sitting outdoors on warm, sunny days.
Avoid Getting One if You Live in a Rented Apartment
If you live in a rented apartment, it may not be worth considering this option. However, if it rains for months in your place of residence, you can convince the owner to install one.
That said, make sure that the owner pays the entirety of the materials and installation costs.
You can also convince them by informing them about how it may increase the value of the apartment. This way, they can increase their rent costs for the next tenant.
Make Sure to Get a Reinforced One for Stormy Areas
Awnings are typically fairly secure when installed correctly. However, strong winds during a storm may force them off their joints. In that case, the awning may damage property or even injure someone.
Therefore, if your place of residence experiences storms every year, have your installation crew reinforce it.
It should be able to withstand incredibly strong winds even after years of use.
You can also have experts examine its structure after a storm to ensure nothing comes loose.
Also read: Apartment Carpet Replacement Cost
Install a Temporary Roof Cover (A Tarpaulin Cover)
Another easy, temporary, and cost-effective solution is to use a roof cover. You can use a tarpaulin cover. It’s waterproof, and it requires no installation.
Therefore, you will not need to worry about violating your lease contract by placing one. It is also very quick to install.
You simply have to tie the tarp against the railings of your balcony, and it will keep the rain away.
That said, depending on the height of your railings, you may not be able to stand on the balcony during that period.
You can consider hanging the tarp to the ceiling using adhesive hooks. Just make sure it does not damage the ceiling in the process.
Of course, all balconies do not have ceilings. So, this may not work for all.
Also, make sure that the cover is the correct size for your balcony. Leaving gaps may allow rainwater to enter your apartment balcony.
A Disadvantage of this Solution You May Want to Consider
One disadvantage of this option is that it won’t look pretty.
Therefore, if it rains frequently in your place of residence, your balcony may not look aesthetically pleasing for a considerable portion of the year.
In that case, you may want to speak to the apartment owner to have a more permanent solution installed.
Install a Complete Balcony Enclosure
One of the most costly and permanent solutions is to install a complete balcony enclosure.
This solution will help you make your balcony an indoor space while still retaining the essence of an outdoor one.
You can only really consider this option if you own your apartment. It will also take a lot of time to install. So, you may need to take time out of your schedule to have this made in your apartment.
One of the disadvantages of this solution is that it’s permanent. You may not be able to stand and lean against a railing on your balcony to enjoy the fresh air.
Some Tips to Keeping Your Balcony and the Items within It Safe from the Rainwater
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind if you want to keep your property and belongings safe.
Remove All Items from the Balcony That May Get Damaged
Protecting your balcony from the rain also means protecting everything in that space.
So, you should make it a point to remove any items that could potentially get damaged by the rain.
This includes tables or other pieces of furniture. If you have any electronics, electrical items, or magazines stored there, bring them indoors immediately.
Use Only Appropriate Outdoor Furniture
Make sure to only place outdoor furniture on your balcony. For example, rattan furniture can withstand direct sunlight and rainwater.
Thus, you will have fewer items to remove from your balcony if it rains.
I hope you found this article helpful in deciding on how to protect your balcony from rain.
Some of these solutions may or may not work with rented apartments, so make sure to consult the owner first.
Other articles you may also like:
- How to Get Bird Poop off Apartment Balcony?
- 6 Easy Ways to Make an Apartment Balcony Private
- How to Clean an Apartment Balcony?
- 10 Easy Ways to Keep Pigeons Away From Apartment Balcony
- Are Apartments Safe during Hurricanes?
- Where to Go During a Tornado in an Apartment?
- What to Do If the Ceiling Collapses in the Apartment You Rent?