FROM CHEAP TO STEEP:
Controlling the sun’s heat into the house has several options.:
John E Avenson avenson1@hotmail.com
1) A roll of HEAT CONTROL MIRROR WINDOW FILM can be purchased very cheap from any Home Improvement store.
From my experience, Silver Gray film makes any “Sunny” day seem “Cloudy”, but Gold Film makes almost any “cloudy” day seem” Sunny and cheery”.
a. Buy a Film Application Kit, Thoroughly clean any lint off the interior window then Apply the spray and film.
b. Squeegee the film into place pushing the moisture out to the edges.
c. NEGATIVE: The sun being reflected back outside may cause some double pane windows to heat up and burst their butane-seal around the edge.
2) INTERIOR Shades can be drawn HOWEVER, the NEGATIVE is, once the sun has passed through the glass and into your home, the greenhouse effect takes place – and some light turns into heat, permanently trapped in the house. The sun may not be shinning on you directly, but very little heat can be reflected back out by the shades.
3) OUTDOOR shades are the best option. No heat enters the living room and you can still see out through the weave material. There is NO NEGATIVE except the price. A 12 foot wide Motorized Shade with a motor cost’s about $800 but shorter lengths are cheaper. Easyshade by SunSetter is one example on my house:
Thanks for the helpful info John!