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Old 04-01-11, 03:09 AM   #11
Clev
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They're very pricey, but my parents in Stockton have the plantation shutters and I have to say, they work very well.

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Old 05-27-11, 08:12 PM   #12
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Default Sun Screens revisited

Sun Screens on my mind today. It was in the 80s here (hottest day of the year)
and we turned on the AC after it had already gotten up to 88 indoors..

After a while, I went scanning around and found the west-side den windows
were a big heat source. The curtains were 90 to 101deg F!

I'm trying to chose some DIY kits for those two west side sliding windows (48"x48").

Solar Screen Kits : QUALITY SCREEN CO, Window Screens & Solar Screen Supplies, Kits & Parts Online

Suntex 90% or, Super Solar 90%? I wonder if there is any difference in these two kits?

~~~~
Just spend some more time on that site and the Phifer Suntex seems to be
the right stuff. It's thicker and pet resistant.

But, it seems they are recommending 80% blockage, and 90% if you live out in the desert..
Black seems to be the best color choice too.. Better visibility when looking outdoors.


"The chart here shows a window with Brown SunTex installed.
In midsummer as much as 230 BTUs can fall on each unprotected square foot of glass."

Phifer SunTex sun control will reduce your cooling bills. Free Estimate.
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Old 05-28-11, 05:53 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xringer View Post
After a while, I went scanning around and found the west-side den windows were a big heat source. The curtains were 90 to 101deg F!
Sorry to hear about your heat problem.

I have a west-facing window too. I planted a fig tree in front of it about 5 years ago.

In the winter, the leaves fall off, and sun can come in... in the spring and summer (like now, for instance) the leaves grow out, in preparation for this summer's fig crop, shading my window.

Cheaper than SunTex, and it is fully automatic, too.

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Old 05-29-11, 04:12 PM   #14
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I hate figs (ate too many as a kid), so I've ordered a couple of 4'x4' Suntex 80% kits.

I've never made a screen before, (broke a few) so this should be interesting.

Yesterday, I hung an old Nylon banner across one of the windows.
It partly blocked the sun off the inside drapes.
Later, I scanned areas of the closed drapes and found the unshaded areas
were around 100 degs F. A few inches away, the drape was 10F-12F cooler.
I think the while Nylon banner must be attenuating the BTUs in the 80% to 90% range.

From the reviews I've read, this is a very well invested $109.74..

For those interested in how long until they pay for themselfs,
I should live so long!!

Edit:
Here's the Before pic




Edit:
Wow, those outdoor jury-rigged shades actually helped a lot yesterday!
One more pic!


Last edited by Xringer; 05-31-11 at 07:24 AM.. Reason: One more pic.. :)
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Old 06-01-11, 07:23 AM   #15
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How to make them..

YouTube - ‪Making shade screens‬‏


A happy user..

YouTube - ‪Visibility through our 90% Stucco Solar Screen Fabric Interview‬‏

From what I've read, visibility is best with the black screen..
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Old 09-21-12, 07:05 AM   #16
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eco dude,

I don't know what you decided to do, but here's what I did if it helps.

My house had the original 1964 single pane windows when I moved in. When the Santa Ana winds blew, my drapes blew like the windows were open. No exaggeration.

I replaced 11 windows and 2 sliding doors with dual pane argon gas filled windows for about 12 grand. Of all the renovations I have done to this house, that was the single most, cost effective, comfort inducing thing I've done. Last weeked it was 108 degrees for three days straight. Inside the windows felt like they were 80 degrees. Outside, they felt too hot to touch. This was on the south side facing slider. In addition, I don't hear the dogs barking or the traffic driving by or the kids SCREAMING when the windows are closed. I never realized how much a second pane of glass with an inert gas between them made such a difference.

American Vision windows does the triple pane thing, and they are headquartered in my home town. I didn't go with them because of the reviews they got on Angies List. I went with the dual pane argon gas because it was cheaper and I went with a contractor I could trust.

Hope this helps.
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Old 09-21-12, 01:49 PM   #17
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It isn't just the second pane and the argon gas, your old leaky windows that allowed your drapes to shake around when it was windy allowed the sound to go through the same gaps. I have double pane glass windows and before I spray foamed the gap around them things were quite a bit louder in the house, I could hear the neighbor when he would be yelling from the mailbox to his wife and kids in the garage like I was right there and if I played even moderately loud music in the house I could hear it outside. With things sealed up I can still hear the neighbor when he raises his voice to talk from a distance but I can't tell what he's saying anymore. Being sealed makes a big difference too for both the efficiency and being less audible outdoor noise in addition to the double pane argon gas setup.
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Old 09-21-12, 02:48 PM   #18
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I went shutters...I would have gone replacement window's but my house would have been like $30K+, maybe my next "smaller" house will be better in that regard. My next option is possible window tint on South side ???

Last edited by eco dude; 09-21-12 at 02:54 PM..
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Old 01-15-15, 11:28 PM   #19
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I would suggest you to go with plantation shutters.It will easy to install for you.Don't think about shutters size because size doesn't matter.You can get any size of shutters.
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Old 03-10-15, 01:21 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eco dude View Post
I went shutters...I would have gone replacement window's but my house would have been like $30K+, maybe my next "smaller" house will be better in that regard. My next option is possible window tint on South side ???
Why don't you sell the monster and build an intelligently designed house?

$30K+ for efficient windows sounds just horrible.

So I vote to sell the monster, build smaller, tighter, better insulated, better windows, and pay strict attention to how your house is oriented to the sun.

There have been many great improvements in house designs that work with nature rather than against, in the last decade or so.

Sell the monster, sell, sell, sell!

-AC

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