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Doors and Windows, Heating and Cooling, Interior, Ask Danny Published 11/13/2007 by Danny Lipford
We live in Dallas. Our large front windows face west. Is there any new window product that will make the rooms shady and keep out the heat in summer? We have sun screens but all the manufactures say if we reattached the screens to their replacement windows it voids the warrenty. We are looking at about $13,000 to replace the front windows and want the best we can get to block the sun and heat. Winters are not a problem here. Thanks, Janette
Hi Janette,
Windows have come a long way in recent years and are now able to deflect much of the sunlight in the summer while at the same time retaining the heat inside your home during the winter. One of the biggest advancements has been in low-E coatings. These almost invisible films of metallic oxide are applied to one or more surfaces of the glass during manufacture and can markedly reduce the amount of sunlight and heat that enters or leaves your home. For even more protection, you can combine a low-E coating with tinted glass. Be sure to discuss your options with the window manufacturer in advance so they can make specific recommendations to fit your situation.
Danny
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November 17th, 2007 at 8:49 am
What about treating existing windows?
April 10th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Why does putting sun screens on a low-E window void the warrenty? Is it because many companies drill into the frame to mount the screens or is there some other reason? We recently moved into a new house with low-E windows and I would like to add sun screens to the west facing windows to reduce the afternoon heating. Will I be OK if I mount the screens to the house rather than the window frame?
Thanks,Keith
May 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
It may be because part of the idea of low-e is to let heat in during the winter and by putting the sun screens in it will cancel out that ability and therefore would no longer be classified as low-e
June 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
I’m on the board of a condo owners association. Many of the condos have skylights and residents want to cut their utility bills. What would be the best solution? The product that is fitted outside over the skylight like a webbing or a film applied on the inside. If a film what would you recommend? Thank you.