The temperatures in FL are starting to go up and pretty soon we'll be back in the heat and humidity. Does anyone have any good, inexpensive suggestions for something to put on the inside of my home's windows to help keep out the awful heat?
Last year I tried using the window film that you can put on car windows and that did absolutely nothing, plus it was a nightmare to put on the windows. Our housing association doesn't want anybody to put aluminum foil on their windows, either. I can't afford shutters, but I need something so that when the heat is at its worst, especially in the afternoon during July and August my house doesn't feel like a furnace.
Even with the AC running, it still is super hot. Not only that, but the AC runs constantly and our electric bills are out of sight. I'd like to be able to save some money, too.
By Louise from Port Charlotte, FL
Here in southeast NC I use the window film plus rubber backed drapes. I use the kind of film that only allows 5 percent of the light to come through. And I've never had any problem putting it up, taking it down, or reusing it the next year.
I think attaching roll-up shades to the eaves of the house or apartment really help. That keeps the sun from hitting the glass altogether. On really hot days, I extend the shades their full length to shade the glass and part of the wall of the building, this seems to help.
My husband and I had the same problem and we went to a home improvement store and bought the kits to make your own solar screen. It has made all the difference in the world! It was very easy to make and it just replaced the screens that were existing in our window. You could use the screen frames you have, if you have screens on your window, and buy the solar screen material. It's cheap and easy.
I live in Florida. To keep the heat out I purchased colored shower liners that match my drapes and shears. I put them up to the windows. It blocks the heat, looks good from the outside and matches my drapes and shears on the inside.
Here in South Dakota some people put tin foil on the inside of the windows. I could never see that it helped but a lot of people keep doing it every summer. I guess I kind of like to be able to see out side and also have the daylight coming in. I also don't think it looks very nice from the outside. I have read articles that say waxed paper, like you use in the kitchen helps. Haven't tried that yet.
Do you have those insulated draperies that have the kind of rubber backing on the back side? I think they help some.
Redhatterb, the tinfoil does help to keep the heat out. But personally I don't like it for 2 reasons. Mainly because you can't see out once it's up. And I have to be able to look out my windows or I feel like I'm living in a cave!
I'm here with you I am glad you asked the question I will be watching your post for some good ideas that I have not tried and I have tried the things suggested but nothing seems to keep the cool air in I was thinking of putting a little air conditioner in the bedroom window at night instead of trying to cool the whole house maybe just rooms you are in alot that is my next thing I am going to try but will be also looking into any helpful suggestions Ocala florida
Clear bubble wrap will insulate the glass against cold in the winter and against the heat in the summer. It will also allow light in. You just spray the window with a little water, and the plastic will stick. It doesn't look as obtrusive as foil either. You can still use any type of window treatment inside.
I would try the bubble wrap that you gift wrap valuables with. You can buy from supermarket or post office. I haven't used it but have heard that it does help to block out heat.
My son cut pieces of rigid foam insulation the size of his window and set them inside the frame. he did it to block the light but it worked for insulating, too! He says put a handle on the back of the foam so it's easy to move.
Does the decorative window film also provide insulation? I want to put this in the bathroom but if it doesn't insulate I can just go with the tinted stuff: www.interiorplace.com/
Foam board is the BEST, for me anyway. It keeps the heat back A LOT! I do also have bubble wrap on the windows that don't get direct heat, and sun screens. My glass patio door has bubble wrap and inside the house on that window, thermal curtains. I live in AZ and the heat last year was brutal. I foam insulated the attic as soon as we moved in. ( we had just bought it last year and moved in in August) Soon as I can afford it, plan to replace the windows with low E windows and doors.
As a temporary measure I taped up some sunscreens that are meant for cars. They measure 28"x32" and were just right for some of my windows. They are the black ones that you have to twist to get them smaller to go back in their bag. My daughter gave me a set with dragons on them. They look pretty cool at night from outside with the ligts on inside!
I went to JoAnns Fabric store with a 50% off coupon and bought insulating black out fabric. I went to HD and bought conduit and used that as a rod. It is really cheap. I cut the insulating fabric to fit my windows. All you need is one hem on the top, slip the rod through and hang behind your curtains.
We used Warm Window fabric. Warm Window consists of four layers of different types of fabric that are sewn together in 4 wide horizontal channels. The layers are-high density needled holo fibers, reflective polyethylene moisture vapor barrier, metalized poly film with air-trapping fibers and drapery lining. This lining keeps in up to 80% of heat normally lost through windows in winter, and blocks up to 79% of the unwanted solar heat keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, and keeping your energy costs lower.
Living in Las Vegas, it gets real hot here too, horribly hot. Several years ago, we bought Styrofoam sheets from Home Depot and cut them to fit all of our windows, and from the outside of the house, it just looks like our blinds are closed, and on the inside, you can't see them because the blinds and window treatments are over them. There's only a few windows we like to look out so we left those without the Styrofoam, and that fitted Styrofoam has cut our electric bill practically in half because the A/C doesn't have to kick on so much as they're great insulators too.
