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Going with solar screens...

Going with solar screens...

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by: Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 1:13pm  
....instead of double-pane windows.  Much more effective (in summer) and much less expensive.  I'm only doing the windows on the back of the house since that is where we get direct sunlight in the afternoon/evening.  We used to have two trees that shaded the back of the house but they died.I can remove the screens in the winter to allow the sun to help heat the house.I went with 90% screens, which means they block 90% of the sunlight, but you can still see through them.  They will be installed late next week. 4951
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foxymama Active Indicator LED Icon 14
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 1:15pm  
let us know how you like them in a couple months. 4951
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tatertot58 Active Indicator LED Icon 15
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 2:53pm  
Are they reasonably priced?  My back windows get a lot of late afternoon sun and I have thought about the screens. 4951
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brightlights Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 3:27pm  
....instead of double-pane windows.  Much more effective (in summer) and much less expensive.  I'm only doing the windows on the back of the house since that is where we get direct sunlight in the afternoon/evening.  We used to have two trees that shaded the back of the house but they died.I can remove the screens in the winter to allow the sun to help heat the house.I went with 90% screens, which means they block 90% of the sunlight, but you can still see through them.  They will be installed late next week.
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
Is it too late to switch to 80%, or have they already started manufacturing them?
 
I speak from experience. Emoticon 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 3:52pm  

- - - - - - - -
>> ....instead of double-pane windows.  Much more effective (in summer) and much less expensive.  I'm only doing the windows on the back of the house since that is where we get direct sunlight in the afternoon/evening.  We used to have two trees that shaded the back of the house but they died.I can remove the screens in the winter to allow the sun to help heat the house.I went with 90% screens, which means they block 90% of the sunlight, but you can still see through them.  They will be installed late next week.
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
Is it too late to switch to 80%, or have they already started manufacturing them?
 
I speak from experience. Emoticon
 
@brightlights:  They've already started making them.  I take it you had a problem with 90%?  What was the issue?
4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 4:02pm  
Are they reasonably priced?  My back windows get a lot of late afternoon sun and I have thought about the screens.
 
@tatertot58:  I have 22 windows on the back of my house and it's a little over $1,000, so around $50/window depending on the size and shape.  I've got one arch and one octagonal window.
4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 4:11pm  
I know the 90% is too dark for some people, but in the afternoon, we have to close our venetian blinds completely.   Then it's dark and hot!  With 90%, I'll be able to see out better than with the venetian blinds closed.I had solar screens installed on our administration building back in Metairie, LA around 1992.  The building had been constructed with dark tinted large windows with metal frames.  In the summer, the windows and metal frame got so hot, you could hardly touch them.  The A/C also could not keep up in the afternoon.  It was either the solar screens or upgrade our entire air conditioning system.  The solar screens made a huge improvement in comfort in the building!The screens are guaranteed for 10 years and have a life expectancy of 10-15 years. 4951
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brightlights Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 4:34pm  

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>>
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>> ....instead of double-pane windows.  Much more effective (in summer) and much less expensive.  I'm only doing the windows on the back of the house since that is where we get direct sunlight in the afternoon/evening.  We used to have two trees that shaded the back of the house but they died.I can remove the screens in the winter to allow the sun to help heat the house.I went with 90% screens, which means they block 90% of the sunlight, but you can still see through them.  They will be installed late next week.
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
Is it too late to switch to 80%, or have they already started manufacturing them?
 
I speak from experience. Emoticon
 
@brightlights:  They've already started making them.  I take it you had a problem with 90%?  What was the issue?
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
It's probably just a preference thing, but we did the 90% (so pretty aesthetically!) and were a little shocked over how DARK those rooms stayed. Like cave-ish dark. We had to up the wattage on the lightbulbs for sure! Can definitely see out of them just fine, but when they say 90% of the sunlight is blocked, they ain't lyin'! Emoticon
 
You'll definitely love those summer electric bills. Huge difference! Emoticon 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 4:48pm  
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
It's probably just a preference thing, but we did the 90% (so pretty aesthetically!) and were a little shocked over how DARK those rooms stayed. Like cave-ish dark. We had to up the wattage on the lightbulbs for sure! Can definitely see out of them just fine, but when they say 90% of the sunlight is blocked, they ain't lyin'! Emoticon
 
You'll definitely love those summer electric bills. Huge difference! Emoticon
 
@brightlights:  Thanks!  I hope the 90% doesn't cause a problem.  I know it won't bother me, but we'll see how the wife handles it!  As it is, in the afternoon, we have to close our venetian blinds completely (so it get's dark inside anyway).  We also have some small horizontal windows over the main windows in the family room. We have no blinds or anything there.   For about 30-40 minutes in the evening, the sun shines directly on our TV and we can't see the picture.I normally keep a lamp on next to my regular seat on the couch all day.  I've gone to a compact fluorescent bulb, but I think I'm going to a stronger light, maybe try an LED bulb in that lamp.
4951
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brightlights Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 5:42pm  

- - - - - - - -
>>
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
It's probably just a preference thing, but we did the 90% (so pretty aesthetically!) and were a little shocked over how DARK those rooms stayed. Like cave-ish dark. We had to up the wattage on the lightbulbs for sure! Can definitely see out of them just fine, but when they say 90% of the sunlight is blocked, they ain't lyin'! Emoticon
 
You'll definitely love those summer electric bills. Huge difference! Emoticon
 
@brightlights:  Thanks!  I hope the 90% doesn't cause a problem.  I know it won't bother me, but we'll see how the wife handles it!  As it is, in the afternoon, we have to close our venetian blinds completely (so it get's dark inside anyway).  We also have some small horizontal windows over the main windows in the family room. We have no blinds or anything there.   For about 30-40 minutes in the evening, the sun shines directly on our TV and we can't see the picture.I normally keep a lamp on next to my regular seat on the couch all day.  I've gone to a compact fluorescent bulb, but I think I'm going to a stronger light, maybe try an LED bulb in that lamp.
 
@Retired_Engineer:
 
In that case, you'll love them. DH wasn't bothered by the darkness as much as I was (actually, not at all. You men and your short attention spans! Emoticon ). I just missed the sunlight coming in. Sun makes mama happy!
 
I have since corrected some of the problems (probably a dumb waste of money), so it's good now. You'll love the summers with your screens! 4951
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magnoliamam Active Indicator LED Icon 7
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 5:53pm  
I had them done two summers ago and also put them only on the back of my house (West side, for two reasons:  1)  the afternoon sun is brutal coming in my "wall of windows" and 2) honestly, I was afraid they would be ugly.....but turns out I love them.  I got the 90%ers in brown to match my house colors and after initially thinking I probably wasn't going to like the way they looked, I actually think they are good looking and add to the aesthetics.  Last summer I had one more done on the north side of my house where my very large floor to ceiling window is in my dining room where on the hottest days of summer you could feel heat blazing in even on that side.  Well, it worked perfectly.  In the middle of summer, I believe my living room feels about 15 degrees more comfortable, and my bill reduced about $25 or so a month.  Paid for themselves in savings already - a good investment in my opinion.  Good luck with yours - I'll bet you are gonna really like them. 4951
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mommyof5 Active Indicator LED Icon 2
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 6:36pm  
We did 90 summer time its cooler saves on our cooling bill i love my cave when the blinds and curtains are closed . 4951
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thegoodwife Active Indicator LED Icon 10
~ 8 years ago   Apr 16, '15 7:12pm  
A friend of mine put them on  bedroom windows. The bedroom had 2 windows at the corner of the house, one on the south & one at on the west. That room always stayed hot at night. It was 15 degrees lower at night for sleeping when she put on the solar screens.  The west side of my house house has solar screens,but they were there when I bought it. , must not be 90% because it's not really dark.  I never knew they came in different degrees. I still had to buy a blind for the kitchen window b/c it's too hot to cook during peak summer without closing off the window. 4951
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Fallon Active Indicator LED Icon 18
~ 8 years ago   Apr 17, '15 9:32am  
Removed By Request 4951
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Retired_Engineer Active Indicator LED Icon 13 OP 
~ 8 years ago   Apr 17, '15 11:23am  
Who are you using @Retired_Engineer?  I need some for one a couple sides of the house.  The neighbors lost a 90 foot pine last summer, and the sun is brutal in my master bath and bedroom now.
 
@Fallon: They haven't installed them yet, but it's Allstar Tints & Screens from Atascocita.  The owner is Chris Alvarez.  Seemed real nice.  832.606.8104
4951
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analogkid Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 8 years ago   Apr 17, '15 12:21pm  
They are a good investment.  I went the DIY route for our dining (side facing) and living room (rear facing) windows.  Got the materials from Lowes and put them up in a few hours.  I got the 90% reduction as well and it really makes a difference.  We have an arch window above the windows I did that I will have someone come in to do because of the curvature.  Done well I think they look pretty nice actually.  Having the ability to remove them in the winter is a nice option. 4951
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