Purchased an existing home and realized that the windows are bare - no screens. since the house faces south, I thought that the practical thing to do was to get solar screens or sunscreens. My only problem is that the back of the house is at least 15 feet above the ground. I was wanting something that I could easily remove during the winter months so the sun can help, kinda passive solar concept. Do you have any suggestions as to what would work.

Some ideas:

1. Solar screening attached to the outside of the windows that I would remove in the winter and reapply each spring but how would you attach it, or can this be done?

2. Outside solar shade that I could lower in the summer and push up in the winter but are these available at a reasonable price or can they be made?

3. Retractable solar screens like used at a french door. Are these availble or can they be made? Any help would be greatly appreciated as the warm weather is just around the corner.

 

Our house faces south and I find it quite comfortable without window coverings except blinds when needed. In the winter, the sun shines in making it warm, but in the summer months the sun is overhead and we have no problem from them. How many windows do you have that need treatment?

 

If you decide to move forward with solar shades this manufacturer may prove to be an invaluable source.
I don't have a vested interest, but we have used their products on different projects.

 

Late last year I started looking to beat the sun with something for our west facing windows. We replaced our old single pane windows a few years back with double pane and low-E but wasn't satisfied with the savings, needed to improve upon it. Looking for some options and hopefully not too costly. I really wanted to have something to block the sun's rays on the outside, because doing so on the inside is not as effective. Haven't finished researching but have come up with the following options with links as examples.

1. awning, maybe retractable. Surprisingly the cost of a regular one versus a retracting one was very small. Here was one company I checked out.



2. solar screens. Found two companies that manufacture the screens actually.



Here is one site that I was looking at. There are many others sites, mostly in the Tx, Vegas, desert vicinity. It's hot there and if they are popular there and the residents should know what works, right?


3. static cling on window tint. I don't want the type that requires soapy water, or any adhesive. Many window tints state they are NOT to be put on inside windows that are multi-panes as the trapped heat can cause seal failure in the window. The best I could find was over at this site. It has a dot matrix look to it. I can put this on the outside and just peel off in the fall. That's the idea anyhow.



Easiest to try would be the static cling one. Next would be the solar screen, I'm need to figure out how I will mount on the outside. I was thinking with magnets, one glued to window frame, other to the solar screen frame. Screwing the solar on to the window may not be an option. I don't think we will go with the awning.

That's my progress so far, hope this helps any others with their heat issues.

 

Larry, What state do you live in as we live in NC. I realize that the sun is high on its axis but in the kitchen area, it feels like about 10 to 15 degrees warmer. I wonder if the warmth comes from having soooo many windows.

To answer your question, we have 3 windows facing south, 14 facing south and 5 facing west. We have full plantation shutters over 7 of the windows but would love to have them cut in half so we can see the lake or take them down. The 3 windows facing east have half p.shutters up and three of the winows facing south have half p, shutters. These windows are all in my kitchen/ sun room area. The remaining windows are in our master area which presently have full coverage draperies. If we remove the full coverage p. shutters from the kitchen area, we wwould move them to the master as they are the same size windows.

 

Wow, thanks for all your advice. Since my windows across the back are 15 feet up, I will need something that will snap on so removal is a snap.

I actually found a site called ezsnapdirect.com which sells solar fabric that can go on rv's or homes. It can be screwed into wood or attached directly to windows so the frame is not covered. Have any of you heard of this company and its product. If so, are you pleased?

 

That site looks interesting, kind of what I had in mind with my magnet attachment idea but theirs is more secure.

What are your windows made out of? Double pane? Doublehung? Wood, vinyl frame? Do they be opened inwards to be cleaned?

 

Our windows are made of wood, double hung that open from top or bottom. They are double pane but do not tilt in for ease of cleaning which I am not happy about as I had replaced all our windows 8 yrs ago at the farm with double hung, low E, tilt in vinyl clad windows which were wonderful. Oh well, it is a gorgeous home and will make do for now.

 

W/o pictures..might be hard to describe...but most screens on wood windows can be removed from the inside. It depends on the type of windows you have, but most have a kerf or groove cut at the joint btwn exterior moulding and actual window frame, where screens are mounted.

Most good hardware stores or glass shops could take a look, and make screens to fit. They could use solar screen in the fabrication, and it should do what you are looking for.

 

I know you where thinking about using solar screens have you ever considered roll a way shades? There are some that are mechanical and some that roll down using a string.

 

Allstar, Welcome to the DIY Forums!

I hope you read the rules for posting...you may not advertise your company website here. Please remove it from your post. You can edit for 20 minutes after posting, then you must contact a moderator to have it removed.

 

Moderator note:

Links are normally permitted for informational purposes but it often attracts those attempting to capitalize on free advertising as it is doing here.

 

How do you attach a link to a post? I tried yesterday when I was responding to Mapco about a company but could not figure out how to attach. Thanks, Jen