Save my house from the sun

So as we head into spring I need to address a yearly problem now. The back side of my house is the largest unshaded front and faces West. The living room is one of those dumb vaulted up to second floor affairs and high up on the wall are 2 large windows in addition to ground windows and my upstairs bedroom.

During summer days the amount of sunlight beaming in overwhelms the central ac and it will cook up to 80or 82 with AC running. Other day when it was like 64 it was getting up to 78 with no AC running.


I'm not sure that I can get insulation put in since I'm not sure if there's access in my attic space to the thin wall with I believe no attic over the vaulted room.

Was wondering my best options. I figured stopping sun before it touches windows ideal like an awning but unsure if it would be an issue with hoa and cost. I'm sure the neighbor would hate tin foil reflector in Windows but was wondering how effective the window tintings are or if best bet is just the honey comb type insulated blinds?

I'm also adding a big tree beyond the desk to add some relief to the side of the house in a few years.

Mirrored tint. Light blocking blinds and or upgraded windows.

Light colored paint and roofing along with the tree idea for the exterior

The tint works wonders. I was renting a house in Dacono that had the living room on the west side. It was horrible until I tinted the sliding door and windows.

Ensuring the AC is in the shade helps a great deal as well.

I would look into getting some custom shades made and installed that way during winter when you want that extra "free" heat you can keep the shades up, and in the summer when you want to keep the heat out, lower the shades.

If the other options don't help enough, skin the house with 1 inch foil insulation sheets, then side again over that. Just a 2nd layer for everything to penetrate.

Make sure any paint on that side is light color too, white or off white, not browns or darker.

Call colorado home cooling, maybe can get some better ventilation on the house to keep the heat down.

The boss's house has the same issue. Probably a 30' by 30' wall of nothing but windows. Currently the saving grace is two large fans in the wide open living room/study area. When off the house can reach 85 easily.. when the fans are turned on it'll cool down instantly about 5-6 degrees just on medium speed. On high they'll have the house back to 70 and the AC will turn off shortly. For comparison the house is 12k+ sf.. and there are 5 AC units... all in the shade on the NE corner. At least that was planned out well..

There was once a large tree that provided ample shade to the windows. Mother nature took care of that a few years back. What do you say when a 40' tree is leaning onto the house.. yes.. you say thank you for the strong roots and damn you for the wind.

Window tint, insulation, ceiling fans and an attic power vent

Tint, then insulate with "Reflectix" sold at Lowes. Cut it to form fit window, then take it down in the winter. I did this to my camper when I lived in it, to keep heat in!

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Originally Posted by TRnCO

I would look into getting some custom shades made and installed that way during winter when you want that extra "free" heat you can keep the shades up, and in the summer when you want to keep the heat out, lower the shades.

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This.
Also I've heard the difference between black shingles and white singles is something like only 1 degree.

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Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

Tint, then insulate with "Reflectix" sold at Lowes. Cut it to form fit window, then take it down in the winter. I did this to my camper when I lived in it, to keep heat in!

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Meh, the economy size roll of the budget brand Aluminum foil is cheap and should cover all the windows & sliding door............

The correct shades in the windows can fix your problem if most the heat is coming from having anyrhing in the windows. Tint can also help. If your windows are angled at the top, go with the tint as a blind or shade is going to be very expensive. A Hunter Douglas Duette Archetella shade will be the best insulating shade you can get. Give me some dimensions and I can give you a price. Please do it by private message if your interested. I've owned a blind and shade business for 12yrs

Ohh one thing I should add I forgot. Was also looking for suggestions on where best to get some of these things. I'm sure I can install blinds myself, just do home depot? If I do the tint, easy DIY or get the resident Tinter guy that does car/commercial?

Also, I have one ceiling fan centrally located. Again hate this massive cavern of a vaulted ceiling since it's incredibly difficult to replace lights 20 feet up, and service/clean fan 16 feet up+.

The reflectix I'd be all for, but I'd imagine it'd put glare at the neighbors and otherwise give the HOA fits.

Will try maybe adding some kind of shaded enclosure to the A/C. It's on north side, doesnt get too much sun but could probably improve that.

I do luckily already have pale/light paint, can't imagine a dark.

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Originally Posted by fitz19d

Ohh one thing I should add I forgot. Was also looking for suggestions on where best to get some of these things. I'm sure I can install blinds myself, just do home depot? If I do the tint, easy DIY or get the resident Tinter guy that does car/commercial?

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See reply #11
Please do it by private message if your interested. I've owned a blind and shade business for 12yrs

If he was closer i know he'd be on our speed dial index.

For what it's worth, I have been using the springy windshield sunshades for my norizontal sliding windows.
They are available as either a dull grey fabric or a reflective mylar film. Two panels per pack.
Standard size= 25"x28" per panel; jumbo, 28.5x31.5; super-jumbo 31x38
Of course, you can rotate them 90 degrees to use the other dimension, too.

Best price is Walmart, but they are not yet in season. Checker has some for a couple dollars more.
No HOA for me. For you, I don't know if the HOA would have a *legitimate* complaint.

HTH.

Got your pm and responded. Trust me, I can squash Home Depot or lowes on price as well as quality. Also, you get to deal with me instead of dealing with the clowns at Home Depot. A lot of my business comes from people who went to home depot or lowes to get their blinds. Walk out so frustrated and confused they almost scrapped the project all together.

triggerhappy does the window tint, does an excellent job. I would recommend him before doing it yourself as his stuff will be higher quality and installed correctly

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Originally Posted by patrick0685

triggerhappy does the window tint, does an excellent job. I would recommend him before doing it yourself as his stuff will be higher quality and installed correctly

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I'll +1 that


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.