Shade/Film for HUGE Skylight?!

Hello all,

I hope this is the right place for this post, and it is slightly lengthy. Please read it. If unable to help, at least let this be a testament to how DIFFICULT things can be here. I have officially arrived at my wit's end!

For months now, I have put considerable effort into finding a solution for a very large skylight in my living room. Some description, along with the two photos I attached:

I live in a roof apartment (renting) with very tall ceilings. They slant up and then meet at a flat area in the middle. The height is about 5-5.5 meters. THEN, inset about another half meter in the middle of the ceiling, is a very large square skylight. It is 179cm squared. It can lift open from one side via an electric opener, accessed from the wall with the rest of the light switches. Sounds cool, right? WELL, IT'S NOT.

There are already about 10 windows in the living and dining area itself, so I'm not sure why the architect decided there should be a huge, unshaded skylight in the middle of it all.

Now, in case people are thinking, But this is absolutely wonderful-- you can see the sky and stars! Nope. The thing is not clear glass, but a translucent safety glass. This means that all it does is transmit flat, bright white light. It looks like one huge fluorescent light in an office building, no matter the weather, until it's dark out. Really cozy. Can't watch movies during the day, or evening, really. It's just way too bright, and I won't even begin about how hot it is in the summer (really hot).

To keep anyone from wasting their time, I have already thoroughly looked into the following options DIY and otherwise:

- Called Velux, who makes all the windows in the apartment. They won't do the skylight because it's not Velux.

- Found out the skylight is Somfy. Called Somfy, they told me they can't do anything other than a motorized shade (expensive and not allowed since I rent) and... that I should call Velux.

- Window film that clings to the safety glass, have seen both inside and outside application (can't get up to the roof without risk of death, can't apply a cling film to glass inside due to height and lack of tall enough ladder)

- Blackout fabric, such as curtains, and hanging them somehow with hooks or even a staple gun (will droop and look terrible, and can't find a tall enough ladder for a reasonable price)

- Separately, looked into ladder and scaffolding rental. Either only renting for a week at a time for an insane price, or just not available in the height I would need to do it myself. I also cannot balance on one normal ladder and apply a film or shade that high up)

- Tarp secured over the skylight from the roof (same risk of death)

- Various handymen (3) said they simply aren't able to apply any film, or any panels to the outside, or any shades of any kind

- So close: Found a window film company, small, operated by 2 guys. They came and had a look, quoted me CHF 600 (good price!), came over the next week over an hour late, took an hour to set up, then told me they couldn't do it because the ladder wasn't tall enough. Then they told me if they could find a ladder tall enough, they'd tell me how much it is to rent. Yes, they expected me to pay for the ladder. Adorable!

I've called painters, roofers, and hardware stores, and nobody can help. Or nobody WILL help. Let's just say that were I back in the states, I'd have had this crap managed within a week. Here, however...

WHO CAN HELP ME?! I just want a solution that takes away almost all or all of the light, and I don't want to pay a fortune for it. Is there anyone out there who can make me a shade, or apply window film to the inside or outside? Or the tarp thing?

If I sound desperate/hysterical, it's because I am.

Just buy a large ladder. I have one that reaches the roof of a 3 storey house, so getting one big enough should not be a problem.

There are maximum 2 times I will need such a ladder: first time to apply a shade or film, second time to remove it before I move out. And again, I cannot balance on a ladder that high up while holding a 179cm squared shade or window film...

I can't believe the landlord entered the property unannounced and installed it without your permission. Unbelievable.

well if you need it twice, then it will probably be cheaper to buy it once than rent twice.

i suggest you practice balancing or hire someone to do it. as noted, you will end up having to pay quite bit.

an alternative could be to use a drone to apply a tarp from the outside. though most people manage to go on a roof without dying so i'm not sure why you keep bringing up 'risk of death' as a major factor.

So, you actually took time out of your day to read someone's very long and desperate plea for help... only to post a brainless response? Would you have said that to my face? If so, let's meet for coffee today. Message me!

I think the reason I spent so much time crafting this post is because I AM TRYING TO HIRE SOMEONE. And "most people"? Just get out if you don't have something helpful to say.

Yes - I'm not what you'd call busy today

Yes - because that's the way I roll

Are you paying?

well you already found someone. you just need to buy the ladder and call them back.

No, but maybe your mom will.

Thanks so much. You really helped out! Now GTFO

You could cut up the film and create a mosaic effect. You could probably even then apply it with a long pole. I just bought a ladder from Hornbach in Germany for 45 eur with 3 x 2m lengths also to reach a skylight. They come with an extended base bar so the footprint is wider than the ladder itself. As the ladder is going into that recess there's not much risk of it falling as long as you pay attention to the angle. Find a friend or rent one to help you.

It tremendously rude to invite someone for coffee and not pay. Do you have any idea how Switzerland works?

If you'd like my mother to pay, will you be paying for her flight over?

You really are a cad.

You are welcome.

Thank you-- that is good info about the ladder. I will look into that. So far I had only seen the leaning ones going to that height.

It was this one:

https://www.hornbach.de/shop/Allzwec...4/artikel.html

Not the most comfortable but it's cheap. You can get more expensive ones but still less than 600 CHF :-)

I am in a somewhat similar position (need to put film and a sliding shade on a Velux that is up on the top of a stairwell). Depending on where I count, it is 5+ meters as well. Want to do it myself so not too happy about being out on the roof.

A ladder is not really ideal to handle and then position something like a large sheet of film. What I am looking at (and my suggestion to you) is to rent some scaffolding . You will get the height you need, will be able to walk/move around on the top while working and will not kill yourself or the handyman. All you need is one unit plus the height. A unit is normally 2 meters long by 80 cm (go double width so 160 cm total). Good and safe working surface. Lots of scaffolding outfits around.

When you move out, you might be able to get away with a ladder as you just need to grab a corner and peel off the film.

Anti-glare film for tv, maybe

If if you have good access, I'm sure putting a single sheet of film on a curved surface is going to be a pain, unless there exists some where you can stick to the edges then heat it to stretch, like you used to be able to get for putting on draughty windows.

Ooh, I hadn't thought of that. This could help a lot in the meantime! Thanks!

Really long telescopic grips, a spray can of black paint? Then when you move out, similar process, but use paint remover.