sounds like you are building a sailboat sail ...

you might want to make it like drapes ... so you can pull them to the side .. and secure them if windy weather is forecast ...

ken

change the search term to patio and/or deck drapes for more ideas

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=balconey+drapes&t=ffsb&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

Sorry after all your hard work of transporting some of your favorite hostas that some of them are getting burned. I know you planned your shelving unit very carefully and what would go where........so I hope this works as a good solution for the plants!

debra

I have designed a custom sunscreen to be made of 1/2" PVC pipe, square wooden dowel, outdoor fabric of a light sage green with straps to attach it to the PVC pipe, and bound buttonholes, slit, to allow wind to pass through. This screen is intended to only extend the width of the narrow end of the shelving unit, mounted even with its top shelf, facing the SW to cut a lot of the savage SW sun crisping the little hostas on that top shelf. I want it to be attractive as well as utile. What do you think?

When we lived in apartments we attached roll up vinyl blinds (looked like bamboo) to the balcony above us and when it got hot, put the blinds down. Worked very good for reducing heat until the lady above, decided to rinse her dogs' poop off her balcony and it sprayed back on our blinds. GRRR!

Looked like this in a way:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/6-FT-x-6-FT-Window-Sun-Shade-Blind-Roll-Up-Exterior-Cordless-Patio-Outdoor-Porch/174211355106?_trkparms=aid%3D888008%26algo%3DDISC.CARDS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20190606150009%26meid%3D30caba38f93b495ba748695b911e7c0e%26pid%3D101078%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D254484424263%26itm%3D174211355106%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2546172%26algv%3DDiscV1%26brand%3DBlind&_trksid=p2546172.c101078.m1982

https://www.wayfair.com/decor-pillows/pdx/symple-stuff-cord-free-semi-sheer-outdoor-roll-up-shade-w000618413.html

It would be impossible to attach blinds to the ceiling above my balcony. The shelving units with the hostas on them are virtually impossible to move, so I could not get onto a ladder and get into that corner to mount them.

Post some pictures of your predicament.

Looks good Ester. I think you missed your calling as an architect, engineer.......lol. I would just make sure to make big enough button holes so you are actually able to slit them enough for the wind to pass through. Send photos of your balcony when done!

debra

Thanks, Debra. I've been designing and building things since I'm a little kid. If I have to put a non-plant thing on my balcony, at least I want to make it decorative as well as useful. Hence, the different color threads I will use to bind the buttonholes. I plan to make the buttonholes 3 or 4" long so that they can let the wind pass through. So, I'll work on the frame and screen tomorrow. Shouldn't take very long to make the frame; I have a special cutter for PVC tubing which makes it a snap. Making the screen on my sewing machine will take longer, but I want to do a neat job.

If you look at the bottom of the hanging pot, you can see the rays of the sun from the SW and how they seem to zero in on the top shelf of the shelving unit (must put the hostas back tomorrow, too). Hopefully this screen will cut down on that roasting sun.

Hi Esther, have you considered just hanging more baskets at various levels along that edge of the balcony?

Here's a thought: The sun's trajectory will change as the season goes on. I need to move my hosta, as the sun has changed and is coming more from the north and west although they were once in full shade. Some are now getting sun burned. So, where you hang the shade cloth might have to change.

bkay

It is impossible to get into that corner to hang more baskets and it would be impossible to water or care for such baskets. The maintenance guy, using my ladder, had to balance in a ballet-like pose to help me with the eye-bolt for the fuschia pot. This is the same reason I can't hang a curtain from the balcony ceiling, and why I came up with an idea fastening the screen to the balcony railing. My balcony is filled to the max with hostas and other plants. I hope one of the little houses I have my eye on comes up for sale soon, is all I can say.

If I fasten a screen to the front of my balcony, then no one could see the plants. I think I'll see how the first screen works. I really appreciate the critical eye and suggestions of our Hostapeople here.