For years in the summer I’ve been cooked alive in my western facing kitchen - not by actual cooking but from insane west facing summer sun. After midday, this side of the house just cooks and my kitchen would get super heated so I decided to try out some Amazon special max reflective shade film for the large 40x32 windows (there are two).
initial thoughts are that puting this stuff up is a pain and having two sets of hands for the initial placement is ideal (it was only me unfortunately). However, once up, this stuff is excellent at reducing solar gain through that window. Granted we’re not into July-August’s full sun 105+ temps yet but as of right now, I think this is an affordable way to passively reduce solar gain and keep inside-temperatures comfortable. I think I will do all of the western facing windows (I have some real big 45x100 ones upstairs that will benefit tremendously and of course our bedroom.
We are planning on getting new east facing windows this year and west facing windows next year so I didn’t want to throw a bunch of money at something that will get torn out next year anyways
FYI: definitely buy an automotive film installer kit. It is worth the $15.00 with all the doodads, razors and spray bottle you get. I also highly recommend using (or buying if you don’t have one) a METAL square. This was SO useful in neatly trimming square cuts when needed both in cutting the initial sheets and excess bits when installed on the window.
initial thoughts are that puting this stuff up is a pain and having two sets of hands for the initial placement is ideal (it was only me unfortunately). However, once up, this stuff is excellent at reducing solar gain through that window. Granted we’re not into July-August’s full sun 105+ temps yet but as of right now, I think this is an affordable way to passively reduce solar gain and keep inside-temperatures comfortable. I think I will do all of the western facing windows (I have some real big 45x100 ones upstairs that will benefit tremendously and of course our bedroom.
We are planning on getting new east facing windows this year and west facing windows next year so I didn’t want to throw a bunch of money at something that will get torn out next year anyways
FYI: definitely buy an automotive film installer kit. It is worth the $15.00 with all the doodads, razors and spray bottle you get. I also highly recommend using (or buying if you don’t have one) a METAL square. This was SO useful in neatly trimming square cuts when needed both in cutting the initial sheets and excess bits when installed on the window.
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