Effe2020
2020-07-19 14:08:42
- #1
I hope I have selected the right subforum, because somehow my question doesn't fit perfectly anywhere.
We are planning to install one or two awnings above our terrace. It is a multi-family house, we have a ground floor apartment with a continuous terrace area as wide as our living area (see pictures). Above part of it is the balcony of the apartment above (width approx. 4m; awning would therefore be 3.5m wide and 3-3.5m deep), the other area is uncovered (width approx. 5m; awning would be 4.5m wide and 3.5-4m deep). Since we have a south-south-west facing orientation, we would actually like to have an awning on both areas, as the balcony provides little sun protection during the day. However, the completely uncovered area is more important. So far, we have had offers from specialist companies nearby. They also came on site to assess the situation, as the installation is somewhat more complicated (as it turned out later). These companies should actually know what they are doing, but so far we have not felt really good about any of the proposed solutions or have been convinced by them. Therefore, we would be interested in further opinions regarding the installation options.
Uncovered terrace area:
The installation “problem” with the uncovered terrace area is that the first-floor apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows that run across the entire width (see pictures as well). These floor-to-ceiling windows naturally have fall protection. Because of this fall protection, the awning cannot be attached directly to the wall.
One company (which installs Klaiber awnings) suggested simply attaching the awning to the consoles/mounts of the fall protection of the floor-to-ceiling windows. What do you think of that? Somehow I feel that these mounts are definitely not designed to carry an awning as well!? We were told to ask the construction company about this, but there is no cooperation/help available. Also, the awning would be quite large at 4.5m x 4m (fully extended 18m²). That should be quite a weight.
The other company (which installs Hella awnings) suggested having custom-made spacer brackets made by a metalworker and then attaching the awning to the wall. I actually prefer this option, but custom-made brackets? Aren’t there any solutions directly from the awning manufacturer that are also approved? In addition, there is the question regarding the full thermal insulation. These custom spacer brackets sit on the wall, but that is only non-load-bearing insulation material. Does it even withstand these loads? The company said that thermal insulation isn’t removed nowadays, but there are special anchors for this. I googled that and yes, they exist, but wouldn’t these brackets have to be attached DIRECTLY to the concrete under the insulation? Presumably, this is also the case for the fall protection brackets, as these protrude from the wall, that’s how I interpret it. Otherwise, the screws would have to run from the anchor in the concrete through the insulation until they come out externally and then hold the custom spacer brackets. That would also be quite a lever, since the insulation is quite thick nowadays and screws do not hold in it. It feels like hanging an object with a 15-20cm distance from the wall only on screws. Or am I seeing this wrong?
As a layperson, I would suspect that the best option would be to remove some of the insulation, then fasten the spacer brackets under the insulation, i.e. directly to the concrete, and then close the insulation again. After that, attach the awning to these spacer brackets.
Covered area:
Here there is no problem with the insulation, but the same problem regarding the distance. Here it is the fall protection of the balcony instead of the windows, since unfortunately it is a prefabricated balcony and not a “built” balcony. Basically, the question here is where/how it is best to attach it. Also with custom-made spacer brackets?
I would be very grateful for expert advice. I would also gladly accept tips regarding awning manufacturers (How do Klaiber and Hella rank?). I keep seeing Markilux, Weinor, and Warema described as top brands. I have read rather less about Hella and Klaiber so far.
We are planning to install one or two awnings above our terrace. It is a multi-family house, we have a ground floor apartment with a continuous terrace area as wide as our living area (see pictures). Above part of it is the balcony of the apartment above (width approx. 4m; awning would therefore be 3.5m wide and 3-3.5m deep), the other area is uncovered (width approx. 5m; awning would be 4.5m wide and 3.5-4m deep). Since we have a south-south-west facing orientation, we would actually like to have an awning on both areas, as the balcony provides little sun protection during the day. However, the completely uncovered area is more important. So far, we have had offers from specialist companies nearby. They also came on site to assess the situation, as the installation is somewhat more complicated (as it turned out later). These companies should actually know what they are doing, but so far we have not felt really good about any of the proposed solutions or have been convinced by them. Therefore, we would be interested in further opinions regarding the installation options.
Uncovered terrace area:
The installation “problem” with the uncovered terrace area is that the first-floor apartment has floor-to-ceiling windows that run across the entire width (see pictures as well). These floor-to-ceiling windows naturally have fall protection. Because of this fall protection, the awning cannot be attached directly to the wall.
One company (which installs Klaiber awnings) suggested simply attaching the awning to the consoles/mounts of the fall protection of the floor-to-ceiling windows. What do you think of that? Somehow I feel that these mounts are definitely not designed to carry an awning as well!? We were told to ask the construction company about this, but there is no cooperation/help available. Also, the awning would be quite large at 4.5m x 4m (fully extended 18m²). That should be quite a weight.
The other company (which installs Hella awnings) suggested having custom-made spacer brackets made by a metalworker and then attaching the awning to the wall. I actually prefer this option, but custom-made brackets? Aren’t there any solutions directly from the awning manufacturer that are also approved? In addition, there is the question regarding the full thermal insulation. These custom spacer brackets sit on the wall, but that is only non-load-bearing insulation material. Does it even withstand these loads? The company said that thermal insulation isn’t removed nowadays, but there are special anchors for this. I googled that and yes, they exist, but wouldn’t these brackets have to be attached DIRECTLY to the concrete under the insulation? Presumably, this is also the case for the fall protection brackets, as these protrude from the wall, that’s how I interpret it. Otherwise, the screws would have to run from the anchor in the concrete through the insulation until they come out externally and then hold the custom spacer brackets. That would also be quite a lever, since the insulation is quite thick nowadays and screws do not hold in it. It feels like hanging an object with a 15-20cm distance from the wall only on screws. Or am I seeing this wrong?
As a layperson, I would suspect that the best option would be to remove some of the insulation, then fasten the spacer brackets under the insulation, i.e. directly to the concrete, and then close the insulation again. After that, attach the awning to these spacer brackets.
Covered area:
Here there is no problem with the insulation, but the same problem regarding the distance. Here it is the fall protection of the balcony instead of the windows, since unfortunately it is a prefabricated balcony and not a “built” balcony. Basically, the question here is where/how it is best to attach it. Also with custom-made spacer brackets?
I would be very grateful for expert advice. I would also gladly accept tips regarding awning manufacturers (How do Klaiber and Hella rank?). I keep seeing Markilux, Weinor, and Warema described as top brands. I have read rather less about Hella and Klaiber so far.