How to Keep Heat from Entering House through The Windows?

confidantduk on 01/11/2021 - 15:31

I live in the city and with summer coming up, the heat that comes through the windows create a really strong greenhouse effect within the rooms with windows.

I'm sitting 1.3-ish meters from the window with the blinders down and I can feel the heat hitting me through the blinders. Can't say I'll enjoy this once we get into the full swing of summer.

What do people usually do to 'reflect' the heat from coming in? I saw a few things like this: https://www.mattblatt.com.au/mb/buy/goodgoods-one-way-mirror… but am unsure how successful it'll be in combating the heat coming in.

Was thinking of something reflective since it's similar to that car cover you put up on the window to reduce heat from coming into cars 🤔 wonder if something similar would do the same?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • klonky on 01/11/2021 - 15:51
    +13

    Heavy curtains or double glazing

    • Mokr on 01/11/2021 - 16:16

      bubble wrap, there are also 3M kits which are popular in usa. which are basically plastic wrap over the windows.

      Which is a cheap form of double glazzing.

      Also look at pelmets too.

      • Tavisophical on 02/11/2021 - 07:28

        Does bubble wrap really work?

        • weezlebub on 02/11/2021 - 10:00
          +1

          probably not a long term solution, but it would have the same effect as double glazing by having an additional air layer

          • Kangal on 05/11/2021 - 22:53
            +1

            @weezlebub: How to Keep Heat from Entering House through the Windows?
            …use a Mac?

      • 91rs on 03/11/2021 - 11:55
        +5

        Bubble wrap is a bad idea, the UV and heat will often turn it a bit brittle and then you've got a big mess to clean up afterwards.

        • dasher86 on 04/11/2021 - 09:36

          never had a problem over 3 summers.

    • Odin on 02/11/2021 - 19:24
      +17

      No need for heavy curtains, just go with blockout blinds that block everything, install them yourself so you get a perfect fit and actually block all light coming in.

      If you want the natural light - double glazing is the only answer + thermal breaks in the window frames.

      Australia is stupidly stubborn and in general it's very hard to convince people of the benefits of double glazing - hence it's rarity here. But ask anyone from Europe or USA - they think we're mad for not having double glazing everywhere.

      • ripesashimi on 03/11/2021 - 01:56
        +31

        I mean double glazing isn't cheap. They say we are mad until they see our mad quotes for double glazing.

        • Odin on 03/11/2021 - 13:29
          +5

          It's expensive here - for no reason (like 2x the cost). Overseas it's like +20% to go the double glazed option.

          A lot of people these days are getting their windows imported from europe or the US and having them installed cutting the cost down massively.

          • guidedlight on 03/11/2021 - 18:10

            @Odin: I got some quotes for new windows recently.

            It was $2500 for single glazing, and $4000 for double glazing. I went with the single glazing option.

            For comparison, it go from a fixed to a sliding window the price difference was $150.

            • Odin on 03/11/2021 - 19:13
              +4

              @guidedlight: Yeah that's the problem here in Australia, the suppliers really gouge for double glazing because it's not a common request. Many times they need to customise the framing systems to even accommodate the double glazing - which in itself is a problem.

              There are some manufacturers that are selling framing systems though that have extrusions that allow for the simple option of single or double glazing from factory. But they're not as common and rarely in basic residential frames.

            • amsaini15 on 04/11/2021 - 00:57

              @guidedlight: Where did you get the quote from? Is that quote for single window? If yes, of what size?

          • virhlpool on 05/11/2021 - 01:00

            @Odin: Are you sure they are imported from Europe and the US and not China? Didn't know it's that common to import construction materials from such expensive countries into Aus. Import cost will be insane too, let aside the wholesaler/ importer's commission.

      • skittlebrau on 03/11/2021 - 13:02
        +7

        You can also go a step further and stop the light from hitting the window in the first place by using outdoor blinds/awnings which work even better than using blinds indoors. I'd only bother doing that after double glazing though and even then only in the worst affected areas.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/11/2021 - 13:30

          This, though depending can be both more effective than double glazing and potentially cheaper. At least at reducing solar gain, but not so much at times when the sun isn’t directly hitting the windows anyway.

          Even something like planting trees can help.

          Basically I’d be doing what I could to stop East/West facing windows from copping any direct sunlight during summer as a first priority. It’s much more effective being blocked outside the windows than inside.

      • spaceflight on 03/11/2021 - 21:53
        -1

        No need for heavy curtains, just go with blockout blinds that block everything

        And what will that do?
        The blinds will get hot from the sun and radiate that heat into the room.

        • Odin on 03/11/2021 - 23:31
          +2

          They can do two things -

          1. absorb heat and radiate it
          2. reflect heat and prevent it entering.

          Good blockout blinds reflect light and UV.

      • kaleidoscope on 03/11/2021 - 23:48
        -2

        Australia is stupidly stubborn and in general it's very hard to convince people of the benefits of double glazing

        Not from my experience, its a matter of cost vs effectiveness. I didn’t do double glazing because my builder quoted additional 10k+ something for double glazing and I was like meh. It will of-course be different if you are in apartment and have only few windows or doors

    • aoeueoa on 02/11/2021 - 23:46
      +13

      The curtains don't work. They absorb the heat and bring it into the room still.
      You need block the light from coming in or reflect back out. External shutters, or reflective tint, or reflective curtains.

      • Zephyrus on 03/11/2021 - 09:59
        +6

        You use curtains where the outside is white, reflects back out and heats up less

      • mattkenny on 04/11/2021 - 10:33
        +1

        Yep. Got a blockout roller blind with white on the outside facing side, (light grey in the inside). Then a sheer curtain, then a heavy curtain. Still hot as hell when the sun hits it.

        Bought an external shade roller blind from Bunnings a couple weeks ago and fitted it. $220 for a 2.4m long X 1.8m wife blind, support easy to install ourselves (would have been about $1500 for a roller shutter).

        Feels like it's a bit haven't had any very hot days yet since we installed it.

    • lunartemis on 03/11/2021 - 09:23
      +7

      I don't think double glazing stops the sun - it is better for keep the cold/hot draft from coming in

      • Bren20 on 03/11/2021 - 09:45

        there's two types of heat we're dealing with, one carried by the suns rays, and another for keeping the hot/cool air outside (thermal mass/draft)

        As far as I know, you're correct in that double glazing primarily stops the thermal mass heat transfer, but it can also be effective for blocking sun rays depending on the glass treatment.

        • factor on 03/11/2021 - 10:16
          +2

          Essentially incorrect that the double glazing affects radiant heat. It is indeed the coating which provides the benefit. That coating can equally be applied to single glazing. Don't get ripped off and overinvest. Understand which part of the tech you require for your climate type.

          • Castcore on 03/11/2021 - 14:08
            +3

            @factor: Yeah double glazing won't help with heat radiation. Just heat convection and conduction. With that being said, double glazing will make your heater (in winter) or your AC (in summer) be less wasteful so it's honestly still a good idea.

            External awnings could be a good idea if OP wants to still be able to look outside.

    • StingyJoe on 04/11/2021 - 22:44

      I hate to be that guy but also check what your strata rules are. If you put up something that is considered altering the exterior look of the building, even just curtains vs blinds for example… you'll be asked to remove it no matter how useful it is. I know there is a possibility to argue "environmental concerns" with the new laws but good luck with getting that across the line, it will be a fight until there are more cases out there.

  • Seba10 on 01/11/2021 - 15:59
    +20

    If you don't mind looking like a drug house, try alfoil. Works wonders blocking the light and some heat (by reflecting rather than absorbing it) in my bedroom, allowing me to sleep in when i work a late evening.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 01/11/2021 - 16:09
      +23

      If you don't mind looking like a drug house,

      Bars will keep the "heat" out, strong door heavy bar across.

  • Hithere on 01/11/2021 - 16:19
    +15

    I had thick retractable awnings installed and they make a noticeable difference to the amount of heat coming in.

    If you have the room and patience consider planting some deciduous shrubs in front of the windows.

  • Presence on 01/11/2021 - 16:32
    +60

    Get a few of those $1 emergency foil blankets and attach them to the the back of your blinds with pairs of magnets. Because they are so thin they will roll up with your blinds.

    I've done this in a west facing window and it makes an enormous difference. Easily makes the room several degrees cooler.

    Just as effective as aluminum foil but it rolls away with the blinds and doesnt look like a drug house 24/7.

    • tebbybabes on 01/11/2021 - 17:39
      +4

      I've never thought of this. Pretty clever!

    • confidantduk on 01/11/2021 - 20:41

      shit, this sounds fun, I'd like to do this. I've found listings for the blankets but not for the magnets. Like, magnets that are nice to roll up the blinds with if that makes sense?

      which ones did you end up using?

    • PopCounty on 03/11/2021 - 17:32
      +1

      Genius. Bookmarked to refer to when I may actually need it.

    • Sneeze on 03/11/2021 - 18:51

      Can vouch for this with first aid blankets, cut them to fit and use masking tape to attach to the glass internally. If it's single layer you can still see through them slightly during the day so you don't lose all visibility.

      They work even better if stuck to the outside of the window however obviously wind and rain can take a toll on them if you don't tape them sufficiently with duct tape. A few bits of tape rolled over and used to stick at various places around the middle of it helps with the wind getting under them and making them flap against the window.

    • Redflanders on 03/11/2021 - 22:27
      +3

      We've attached them by using a spray bottle of water on the glass and then stick up the blanket. Used a squeegee to push out any air bubbles. Stays on all summer with no adhesive necessary

    • vansery on 05/11/2021 - 18:04

      Just a reminder, avoid magnets if you have kids in house. swallowing those can result really bad

  • Masterpupil on 01/11/2021 - 16:36
    +6

    External awnings. I bought a heap of them and installed myself. It was a bit dirty (drilling brick) and time consuming, but the effect was significant.

    • kiitos on 02/11/2021 - 08:11

      Do you open and close them each day? Or is it more a open in summer, closed the rest of the year thing?

      • Masterpupil on 02/11/2021 - 16:56
        +1

        Basically I pull them down in summer and leave them down unless there are high winds. Because they shade the window without actually covering it entirely, you can still enjoy the view.

      • mattkenny on 04/11/2021 - 10:44
        +2

        I installed one on a bedroom about 2 weeks ago. $209 for a 1.8m wide X 2.4m long blind. Took about 2hrs to install - 10 of 5mm or 6mm holes needed to be drilled (I forget which size) - 3 little brackets to attach to the brick (2 holes each), plus the 2 clips at the bottom of the window (2 holes each) to stop it flapping around in the wind. Then just clip the blind on to the brackets.

        When it's down, you can still see out. Probably cuts out around 50% light. Haven't had a really hot day since I installed it a couple weekends ago, but already feels like it's working.

        We bought this one I think:

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/coolaroo-1-8-x-2-4m-gun-metal-ea…

        There's also one with a heavier material that is more like traditional shade cloth (doesn't look quite as nice, but blocks more light/UV)

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/coolaroo-1-8-x-2-4m-charcoal-pre…

  • Fergy1987 on 01/11/2021 - 16:42
    +13

    End global warming.

      • ThithLord on 03/11/2021 - 09:06
        +2

        It's shining sun here, so it's not dark anywhere in the world.

        • jv on 03/11/2021 - 09:17
          -6

          Oh, so global warming now only affects only some countries and not others…

          • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 11:49

            @jv: Are seriously denying climate change? What is wrong with you?

            • jv on 09/11/2021 - 11:50

              @Nereosis:

              Are seriously denying climate change?

              No, read my other comments.

              • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 11:51

                @jv: I only got as far as "It was cold therefore the Earth can't be warm" and pretty much shit myself.

                • jv on 09/11/2021 - 11:52

                  @Nereosis:

                  I only got as far as

                  Maybe read the rest of the thread then…

                  • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 11:53

                    @jv: I fought through my poopy pants and read your other comments and have now come out even more dumb than I was before

                    • jv on 09/11/2021 - 11:55

                      @Nereosis:

                      and have now come out even more dumb than I was before

                      Stay optimistic, maybe one day you will see the light then…

                      • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 11:56

                        @jv: but light is warm so therefore winter can't be cold

                        checkmate JV

                        • jv on 09/11/2021 - 12:10

                          @Nereosis:

                          but light is warm

                          Only part of the spectrum is warm.

                          • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 12:24

                            @jv: but how do we define what part of the spectrum is warm?

                            • jv on 09/11/2021 - 12:24

                              @Nereosis:

                              but how do we define what part of the spectrum is warm?

                              Physics.

                              • Nereosis on 09/11/2021 - 14:25

                                @jv: So what is the definition of the physics that must be used?

                                • jv on 09/11/2021 - 15:28

                                  @Nereosis: Just check with your State's Education department.

      • robeh on 03/11/2021 - 16:51
        +2

        Imagine still denying climate change

        • jv on 03/11/2021 - 17:13
          -3

          Imagine still denying climate change

          Climate on earth has been changing since creation.

          • GrueHunter on 03/11/2021 - 17:50
            +1

            @jv: Imagine believing in "creation"

            • jv on 03/11/2021 - 18:01
              +2

              @GrueHunter: Imagine believing the Earth has been here forever…

          • robeh on 04/11/2021 - 20:28

            @jv: Yet the graphs by scientists, supported, peer reviewed and duplicated have all shown that the climate is changing at an exponential rate. Even IF humans haven't caused the warming, and this is just business as usual Earth (which it isn't), that is not a reason to want to limit the rising sea levels and extreme whether changes that are going to have drastic effects on the globe.
            https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_we…

            • jv on 04/11/2021 - 21:45

              @robeh:

              have all shown that the climate is changing at an exponential rate.

              which way is it changing, because we had a very cold winter.

              • robeh on 08/11/2021 - 10:50

                @jv: "The country is freezing in an unprecedented fashion, and global warming is to blame. Sound crazy? The cold snap that North America is experiencing east of the rocky mountains, with temperatures at Arctic-like levels, is real, but it's only part of the story. Simultaneously, there are record warm temperatures happening in other parts of the world, from Australia to the actual Arctic."
                "Cold extremes are occurring over a smaller fraction of the global surface area than above-average temperatures. In other words, what happens locally, or over short periods of time, is not necessarily representative of what’s happening nationally and globally."

        • StalkingIbis on 03/11/2021 - 19:00
          -1

          What causes the seasons?

          • robeh on 04/11/2021 - 20:31

            @StalkingIbis: "Seasons occur because Earth is tilted on its axis relative to the orbital plane, the invisible, flat disc where most objects in the solar system orbit the sun. Earth’s axis is an invisible line that runs through its center, from pole to pole. Earth rotates around its axis."

            Completely different to the overall average increasing temperature of the Earth. (That took me 5 seconds to google BTW)

            • StalkingIbis on 17/11/2021 - 07:55

              @robeh: Yep, correct. thanks for answering. I'm surprised that you needed to google it though.

              Next question…

              If the degree of tilt causes the seasons, how certain perfectly does our axis of tilt stay constant from one year to the next?

              We're seeing relatively small changes in seasonal temperatures. Some places colder, some places warmer….sounds like seasons to me.

              • robeh on 17/11/2021 - 13:25

                @StalkingIbis: I just Google to be sure I'm getting the explanation right :)
                "We're seeing relatively small changes in seasonal temperatures", right, that is the weather, which changes with the seasons.
                Global Warming (which also may generate weather extremes, such as the Polar Vortex, which "There’s growing evidence to suggest that the polar vortex is appearing outside the Arctic more frequently, because of changes in the jet stream that are attributed to the warming atmosphere") is the "the long-term heating of Earth’s climate system observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities", which there is a overwhelming number of research documenting that the planet is heating up. due to "primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere". However. even if
                https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/climate/winter-cold…
                https://climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming-vs-climate…

          • jv on 08/11/2021 - 10:56
            +1

            @StalkingIbis:

            What causes the seasons?

            Frankie Valli

      • bchliu on 03/11/2021 - 17:57
        +2

        There's a substantial difference between CLIMATE and WEATHER.
        https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/noaa-n/climate/climate_we…

        • jv on 08/11/2021 - 10:58
          -1

          Read that…

          Essentially same thing, depending on what you choose as your time frame.

          • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 11:10

            @jv: That's totally incorrect. Not same at all if you are only using a small time slice to disprove climate change ("look at this cold weather, what climate change?") as opposed to statistical analysis over a very very long period of time (millions of years).

            Kind of like if you continued to gamble on something, only telling people about your 5% time in winnings and never about the 95% of the time in losses.. you're not winning and only a delusional loser if you think that way.

            • jv on 08/11/2021 - 11:16

              @bchliu:

              Not same at all if you are only using a small time slice to disprove climate change

              So what is the definition of the time slice that must be used?

              • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 11:54

                @jv: Statistical trend needs a very large time periods to show trend. That's why scientists use the range as much as they can prove through evidence from soil and ice sampling to radio-isotope based methods. These give very good indications of over millions of years.

                • jv on 08/11/2021 - 11:59

                  @bchliu:

                  Statistical trend needs a very large time periods to show trend.

                  How large ?

                  • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 12:04

                    @jv: Normally have some time for you JV.. but you're just trolling a lost argument.

                    Pretty sure if you are genuine about it, Google searches comes up with huge amounts of scholarly papers on these and methodologies from archeological geology to climate modelling over thousands or millions of years.

                    • jv on 08/11/2021 - 12:05
                      +1

                      @bchliu:

                      but you're just trolling a lost argument.

                      Seems to me your just trying to avoid the question…

                      Both weather and climate have been changing since the earth was created. It's not a static system.

                      • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 12:10

                        @jv: It isn't. but when you have AVERAGE temperature trends that is consistently going up in last few decades and in comparison to previous centuries, it is the alarming part of this.

                        Sure, you will have cold and hot periods of the planet due to a number of factors. But the evidence is in that the warming of the average is due to CO2 and greenhouse emissions. This is very testable from anywhere in the world and have got direct correlation to causation evidence.

                      • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 12:12

                        @jv: https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/

                        NASA whitepaper.. given their satellites measure temps all around the world and all.

                        • jv on 08/11/2021 - 12:15

                          @bchliu:

                          NASA whitepaper..

                          Yep, they go up and down all the time… Since the planet was formed.

                          NASA also believe the recent rise is most likely due to plants in the tropics and not man made.

                          • bchliu on 08/11/2021 - 12:20

                            @jv: Nope. Rise in plants actually cool the planet down (converting more CO2 to O2 from photosynthesis). How is this the case given Brazil's cutting down the Amazon like nothing else? And Cutting trees down is not man made?

    • FireRunner on 03/11/2021 - 15:58
      +1

      Nuclear winter?

  • jv on 01/11/2021 - 16:45
    -7

    How to Keep Heat from Entering House through The Windows?

    Mirrors?

  • MynyMouqe on 01/11/2021 - 17:03
    +6

    Get the windows tinted.

    • diddy50 on 03/11/2021 - 10:14

      This. Some great tints available.

    • apok00 on 03/11/2021 - 11:16

      Also get the external side tinted rather then the internal.
      This way the glass wont warm up either stopping it heating the internal air.

    • Buckshot on 04/11/2021 - 17:21

      I have had 3M ceramic tint fitted to a couple of windows in our new house where the windows are too big for double glazing.
      I've also combined this with white plantation shutters in our master room. There's been a huge cut down in heat!

  • Youfah Mizzum on 01/11/2021 - 17:04
    +1

    Do you still want to look out the window?

  • Almost Banned on 01/11/2021 - 17:04
    +13

    Your first and best bet is to stop the sun from hitting the windows in the first place. Shade, either in the form of trees, awnings or something else is worth looking at.
    The second option is to stop the heat from penetrating into the room. Window treatments - either in the form of a protective film on the glass, or blinds/curtains behind the glass is your second line defence.
    Good luck.

    • kaleidoscope on 03/11/2021 - 23:52
      +1

      Once the heat comes in, it will not escape creating a greenhouse effect. So you need ways to prevent entering in first place. Best bet would be tint or shade

  • shaybisc on 01/11/2021 - 17:35
    +6

    Re Window film - holy cow - a minefield of information, misinformation and acronyms. I spent a hour or so today chasing my tail trying to locate the most effective window tint to stop solar energy entering a room through a window. I think TSER (Total Solar Energy Rejected) is the spec to look for but I'm sure some expert or other will disagree.

  • Drakesy on 01/11/2021 - 18:08
    +1

    Ceramic tint i've heard works well on cars, not sure about the science but the reviews seem positive regarding it's ability to reduce surface heat, there's a few youtube videos on it.

    That surface film looks like trash imho.

    • WT on 02/11/2021 - 19:26

      this should work and what i would have suggested but you may not be allowed to use a dark tint

    • Kuzdog on 04/11/2021 - 11:44

      Ceramic tint is very good and a quick cheap solution.
      Even provides excellent protection from
      Heat when it is virtually clear

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