Balcony Sun Exposure: What You Need to Know Before Moving In

Why balcony sun exposure varies so dramatically

Two balconies on the same street can have completely different sun exposure. The direction the balcony faces, its floor level, the height and distance of surrounding buildings, and even overhanging balconies above all determine how many hours of direct sunlight a balcony receives. A south-facing balcony on the top floor of a building can get eight or more hours of direct sun on a summer day. The same-sized north-facing balcony on the ground floor might get zero.

For many apartment dwellers, the balcony is their primary connection to outdoor sun. Getting this wrong means either missing out on a key quality-of-life feature or, conversely, getting a west-facing balcony that becomes unusably hot in summer afternoons. Understanding the dynamics before you sign a lease is essential.

How balcony direction determines your sun schedule

A south-facing balcony receives the most consistent sun — from late morning through afternoon, peaking at midday. This is the premium orientation for sun lovers, providing warmth in winter and long sunny hours in summer. South-facing balconies also benefit from the sun being high in the sky during summer, which means the balcony floor gets light even if there is a balcony above providing partial overhead shade.

East-facing balconies get morning sun, typically from sunrise until noon. This is pleasant for morning coffee but means the balcony is in shade by the time you come home from work. West-facing balconies are the reverse — shaded until early afternoon, then bathed in sun through sunset. West-facing is popular for after-work relaxation but can be intensely hot in summer. North-facing balconies receive direct sun only briefly in midsummer, when the sun rises and sets at extreme angles — for most of the year, they are in permanent shade.

The floor effect and balcony-above problem

Your floor level matters enormously. On lower floors, surrounding buildings are more likely to block the sun, especially during winter when the sun is low. A south-facing balcony on the second floor might be in shadow from the building across the street from October through February, while the same balcony on the sixth floor stays sunny year-round.

The balcony above you is another critical factor. If the building has uniform balconies on every floor, the balcony above yours acts as an overhang that blocks high-angle summer sun but allows low-angle winter sun to enter. This can actually be beneficial — natural shade in summer heat, sun in winter cold. But if the balcony above is deep (more than about 1.5 meters), it may block too much light year-round, turning your balcony into a covered porch rather than a sun terrace.

Seasonal differences you should check

A balcony that gets glorious sun in June might be completely shaded in December. The sun's path changes dramatically across seasons — in midsummer at 50 degrees north latitude, the sun arcs high across the sky from northeast to northwest, while in midwinter it traces a low, short path from southeast to southwest. This means the angle of light hitting your balcony, and the shadows cast by nearby buildings, change fundamentally between seasons.

Before committing to an apartment, check the balcony's sun exposure for both summer and winter. Our sun exposure real estate guide explains in detail how to evaluate these seasonal shifts. At minimum, you want to know: does this balcony get direct sun during the season when I will use it most? For our apartment sun orientation guide, the same principles apply — compass direction plus surrounding obstacles determine your real sun hours.

Using Coffee in the Sun to evaluate balcony sun

Coffee in the Sun is the fastest way to evaluate a balcony's sun potential. Find the building on the map, set the time to when you would typically use the balcony, and check whether the location is in sun or shadow. Then use Time Travel to scrub through different months — pay special attention to December and January for winter sun, and June and July for summer conditions. A balcony that stays sunny in midwinter is a genuine premium feature worth paying more for. Five minutes of checking before you sign can prevent years of disappointment.