1. Decide what your outdoor room needs to do
Start with one ordinary scene: breakfast for two, an hour with a book, or an evening conversation after dinner. Each asks something different of a terrace. A dining table needs usable space around the chairs; a reading corner needs a comfortable position with somewhere to put a cup. Bring these expectations to the viewing before discussing furniture or comparing advertised balcony areas.
Stand back from the railing and sit where your chair would actually go. Can another person pass behind you without moving the table? Does the most comfortable position still offer the outlook you want? A slightly different layout may serve your daily routine better. Our guide to private roofs and gardens helps you compare the type of outdoor space before judging its comfort.
2. Assess the exact balcony, not a destination average
Two apartments in one development can deserve separate assessments. The Met Office explanation of wind notes that height, terrain and nearby obstacles influence wind. That is a reason to inspect your shortlisted unit, not a basis for declaring a whole resort sheltered or exposed. A regional forecast cannot tell you how your preferred chair will feel behind a particular wall.
Visit the balcony edge, the rear corner and the doorway in turn. Make simple notes about what you experience: comfortable conversation, noticeable draught, or a door that needs attention. Record the time and conditions so another visit has context. Ask residents about their own experience without treating one account as a measured seasonal pattern. If the unit is unfinished, arrange a later inspection and keep its outdoor comfort marked as unconfirmed.
3. Give each outdoor activity a short practical test
A viewing becomes more useful when you stop walking for a few minutes. With permission, sit down and have a normal conversation. Look at where loose cushions, an outdoor light and a breakfast tray would go. Notice whether the space has a sheltered alternative position when your favourite corner feels less comfortable. You are checking everyday usefulness, rather than trying to measure a building’s engineering performance.
Use the same small exercise at every property. The comparison below is a viewing prompt, not a technical rating. If anything suggests a defect, ask an independent qualified inspector to examine it. Comfort is personal: someone who enjoys an open terrace may make a different choice from someone who wants a still reading corner.
| Your activity | What to try | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Sit at a realistic table position | Space to eat and move comfortably |
| Reading | Try the rear corner and balcony edge | Which position you would choose |
| Conversation | Talk at your usual volume | Any distracting movement or noise |
| Going indoors | Ask for a safe door demonstration | Ease of operation and visible condition |
4. Check permitted improvements before relying on them
It is easy to imagine solving an uncomfortable terrace with a screen, awning or glazed enclosure. Before allowing that idea to influence your purchase, ask the management team what is actually permitted for the specific unit. Request the relevant written rules and the approval process. Existing alterations elsewhere in a development do not establish permission for your apartment.
Start with straightforward furniture placement, then discuss any fixed work with appropriately qualified professionals. Do not assume that attaching a screen or shade element is a cosmetic change. Ask about permitted materials, installation responsibility and access for maintenance. A good purchase decision works with the space as delivered; improvements should be a documented option. For the separate issue of daylight and sun exposure, read our sun, shade and balcony-orientation guide.
5. Include the doorway in your comfort assessment
The connection between the living room and balcony matters as much as the view. Ask for a demonstration of the door, locking system and any fitted screens. Check whether you can use the route comfortably when the room is furnished. Look at visible seals, tracks and finishes, and photograph anything you want clarified. Do not force an unfamiliar door or treat a casual inspection as confirmation of its technical condition.
Then imagine finishing your evening outside. Where will cushions, small lamps and other loose items be stored? Who will put them away when you leave for several weeks? Ask the property manager what outdoor checks can be included in an agreed service. A clear closing routine allows the terrace to remain a pleasure, especially when the property is a second home rather than your main address.
6. Choose the combination you will enjoy most often
Give the view and outdoor comfort separate scores in your notes. Otherwise a striking outlook can absorb every other consideration. Add the quality of the seating position, the ease of the doorway and whether you have a useful alternative corner. No universal score identifies the best apartment; your priorities should reflect how often you intend to sit outside and at what time of day.
If your shortlist includes Red Hills Sahl Hasheesh or Cala Sahl Hasheesh, apply the same questions to each available unit rather than assigning one comfort profile to the whole project. Ask Hurghadians Property to arrange viewings around your intended routine. Choosing a home becomes easier when you can picture a comfortable ordinary morning as clearly as the first arrival.
Your buyer checklist
- Name the outdoor activity you expect to repeat most often.
- Sit where your own chair and table would realistically fit.
- Record conditions and arrange another visit when practical.
- Inspect the doorway and refer defects to a qualified inspector.
- Obtain written permission rules before budgeting for fixed alterations.
- Plan secure storage and a closing routine for loose outdoor items.