40% of excess heat enters your home through windows. Better take this into account and apply one How to block heat from windows coverings. By the way, too much sunlight not only leads to overheating, but can also cause tarnishing of upholstered furniture, curtains or carpets, and can also be bad for house plants. That is why, in some cases, it is absolutely inevitable to choose the right means of protecting your apartment from heat, sun, and unwanted glare. You can either make yourself known by talking about the protection of your windows or completely trust the professionals in this matter. We will look at the most time-tested ways to block heat from windows.
Window glass increases the amount of unnecessary heat entering your home, so sometimes a fan or cooling system just isn’t enough to combat it. We have delved into this topic to show you more effective and inexpensive remedies so you can choose the best way to keep heat out of your windows.
Now go ahead and do your best to cool your room using whatever mechanism you prefer.
The best ways to deal with glare and radiation:
Blinds
Awning
Foil
Bubble wrap
You can choose one of these sunshade options for windows at home. Or there is nothing wrong with using them in combination. Each one works differently, but you can still benefit from several of them to ensure maximum protection. Keep reading to learn more about each of these ways to make your home cooler and life better.
Blinds
According to the US Department of Energy, window blinds or curtains are considered the best way to block heat from windows. They usually consist of horizontal or vertical slats that you can manually adjust to increase or decrease the amount of sunlight in your apartment. If the shutters are left in the fully closed position, this provides excellent insulation and helps to reduce the temperature. The level of effectiveness can vary and depend on several factors. However, keep in mind that the most powerful shades can prevent up to 45% of extra sunlight from entering your room.
Heat reflective window blinds will work best when properly installed. Their position should be turned up with the convex side out. In this case, all excessive sunlight will be directed towards the ceiling, so that the temperature in the rest of the room will become cooler and the brightness level will be minimized. Conversely, if the blinds are lowered, the gaps between them become wider. More heat and bright light get inside, and most of the sun’s rays fall on the floor, leaving less fresh air.
Fix the blinds correctly, that is, leave them as close as possible to the window itself, and also attach them tightly to the adjacent wall so that the level of heat gain and heat loss is as low as possible. In general, installing blinds yourself is not difficult, but do not forget about these small tips above.
Even more helpful is the fact that window blinds that protect against heat can vary in their protective properties. You have to consider factors such as which side the window is facing, what temperature it is outside, and which shades you are using. Of course, you can’t change the first two of them, but you can easily pay attention to the last one. Please note that some types of these sun protection products may be more effective than others.
How To Block Heat From Windows
The simple form of Venetian shades can be very useful in a serious mission to fight the heat. When fully closed, they provide maximum security. But you can also adjust the opening angle to adjust the light level for each specific situation. The number of options you can open or close is impressive, so you can conveniently change the amount of light, heat, and highlights. Or you can direct the sun’s rays directly at the ceiling, which can be amazing if it’s painted brightly. It will break the light, allowing you to enjoy more natural light, but without too much heat.
Their next model is total blackout blinds. Their most important feature is their complete opacity, which completely blocks sunlight from entering through the windows. If you don’t mind not being able to adjust the amount of light and glare that enters a room, and you’re happy with a constant level of darkness, this is the option for you.
Frankly, the leaders in blocking heat from getting inside are honeycomb or honeycomb shades. The original shape of honeycomb blinds is able to trap air, reducing heat levels. Another option is to add sidebars to them to expand their capabilities by bringing them closer to the glass.
In addition, the color of your house window reflector is also of paramount importance. Light colors such as white, ivory or beige are best at resisting excessive heat. But here another problem arises: for example, white honeycombs may simply not fit the color palette of your room. To solve this problem, put additional curtains that hide the blinds and this time will play a purely decorative role. Or you can even get the most out of color by having the blinds lighter on one side and darker on the other. Lighter tones reflect heat in summer and darker colors trap heat in winter, so this solution will serve you best throughout the year.
Awning
A rather original, but at the same time, the most proven way to insulate windows is to make a canopy or cornice. Because it is located outside, it keeps the heat at bay from the start. Since this reduces the amount of heat entering the window, the amount of heat entering the interior of the house is correspondingly reduced. It is always better to contact a specialist who knows exactly how to put up a canopy and what angle will be optimal. But you can make it a homemade project if that suits you. This method is worth a try, if only because, according to some calculations, it reduces the heating level from 65% to 77%.
You can continue to explore external techniques for dealing with excess light and glare. Depending on your level of experience, choose your own tactics or consult a professional. Remember that plants and trees outside create shade around them, making the space right outside cooler. In addition, when plants release their steam into the atmosphere, they lower their temperature.
Foil
In fact, ordinary aluminum foil, or tin foil, can effectively block the sun from windows. Most of us got used to utilizing it as a material to preserve food, but few of us have ever thought of it as a reflective window covering. Meanwhile, its abilities to reflect the unwanted sun rays are quite powerful. To use it as a potent yet low-cost sun reflector for home windows, simply place it all over your window thoroughly with the glossy side facing outside, make it lie with an even layer over the interior glass windowpane, and carefully fix the edges with tape. This will prevent most of the extra sunshine and glare from getting inside and make the atmosphere not only cool but also pleasantly dark even on the hottest days.
There is one more similar solution of this kind. It is a plastic film designed especially for protecting windows. This insulating film is easy to install on the window. When it is fixed to the interior glass windowpane, it creates a thin air layer between itself and the glass. This method of diminishing the level of light is rather mild, so even if you totally cover the windows with special plastic film, you still can enjoy some portion of natural light.
Bubble Wrap
Perhaps, you couldn’t even imagine this before, but bubble wrap really increases the insulating possibilities of the window. Moreover, it can either prevent heat gain in the summer season or prevent heat loss in winter as well. Maybe it looks not as impressive as other options on this list, but it will not be a problem if you don’t mind it. On the other hand, this is not only the most budget-friendly means, but also can be applied almost instantly.
To make this reflecting covering work, first of all, spray some water on the glass. Then slightly press the bubble side against the window. Be careful, try not to pop it. Make sure that the wrap covers the whole area evenly and fits tightly. Then fix the edges with tape and remove any excessive wrap on the sides to finish the job perfectly. Now you are pretty good to go.
So, as you can see, it is rather an unexpected way to block heat from windows. It is extraordinarily affordable, adds an effect of double glazing, and extremely easy to apply. Perfect means of reducing heat for those who want to save money and reach the aim immediately. A space of air trapped between the wrap and the glass increases the insulating potential of the window. What’s more, did you know that bubble wrap is capable of serving for as long as seven years?
A Few More Last Words
And here are a few more useful facts.
What If Do Not Open The Windows At All?
Don’t even try to think about it. This should be your last remedy in terms of blocking sun heat from windows. When the windows are closed all the time, there is no air circulation, which leads to negative consequences.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that stale air is one of the most serious environmental issues. Even the most modern and powerful heating or cooling systems can not replace merely fresh air coming inside through the open window. Closed windows leave you unprotected from the bad impact of cleaning products, air fresheners, mold, stoves, heaters, and tobacco smoke. And vice versa open windows can let plenty of helpful things inside, such as fresh air, sea breeze, or pleasant scents.
How To Reduce Heat Loss Through Windows?
In fact, you don’t have to waste enormous sums of money on complicated warmth-saving methods. Instead of this, try applying these quick and easy ways to keep warmth in your apartment:
- Put everything away from the radiator. Soft furniture, for example, steals the heat so that you don’t even notice.
- Hang thick curtains that have a thermal lining on the windows and maybe also the front door.
- Use self-adhesive foam tape to seal any possible gaps on the edges of the windows.
- Strengthen the back of the radiator with reflective aluminum foil.
- Attach a chimney balloon to the chimney. The special material of the balloon prevents all the heat from getting out.
What If Adding A Couple Of Plants To The Interior?
So, after you have decided on how to protect the windows from solar heat, and everything is ready, it’s time to make the last strokes. You have strengthened your lock with foil or blinds, a canopy or bubble film, but this is only the technical part of the matter. Feel free to add a few home plants to add a fresh breeze in a figurative sense. The tropical style will be the perfect atmosphere for such an interior solution. A stylish mini-botanical garden, as always, will have a cooling effect.
Now you know the possible options for putting on the windows to prevent heat that you have at hand. There is nothing special to do – just realize anything, in reality!
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