Solar window treatment options
April 5, 2011 10:24 AM Subscribe
I have a bunch of thin, old, south- & west-facing windows that need energy-efficiency treatment. I got estimates for both solar film and solar screens, and the cost seems pretty comparable, although I may be able to get the screens a bit cheaper. What's my best option, bang-for-the-buck-wise? And is direct sunlight-blocking actually the most important factor, or does heat leak in/out through thin windows regardless of the light striking them?
Details: House is in Austin, TX, so lots of heat in summer. The windows are old (1960s), very thin (1/16in.), and kinda crappy-looking (cheap aluminum frames), but are built into the brick wall and would be prohibitively expensive to replace. Otherwise, I'd just go with double-paned, efficient glass, like I have elsewhere.
The solar film would probably look better, but I'm somewhat reluctant to spend a bunch of money treating crappy glass. If the pane breaks, there goes the investment in solar film, too.
One other option someone mentioned is external storm windows, which might act as insulation in the same way double-paned glass does. I don't have a cost estimate on those, though. Anyone have experience with those?
Also, any Austinites with recommendations on contractors for this stuff?
Found this post, but it only talks about screens.
Thanks!
Details: House is in Austin, TX, so lots of heat in summer. The windows are old (1960s), very thin (1/16in.), and kinda crappy-looking (cheap aluminum frames), but are built into the brick wall and would be prohibitively expensive to replace. Otherwise, I'd just go with double-paned, efficient glass, like I have elsewhere.
The solar film would probably look better, but I'm somewhat reluctant to spend a bunch of money treating crappy glass. If the pane breaks, there goes the investment in solar film, too.
One other option someone mentioned is external storm windows, which might act as insulation in the same way double-paned glass does. I don't have a cost estimate on those, though. Anyone have experience with those?
Also, any Austinites with recommendations on contractors for this stuff?
Found this post, but it only talks about screens.
Thanks!
Have you looked into window inserts that sit flush in the window frame and block a lot of hot/cold drafts coming from the window? Some of my family members swear by them for keeping winter air out. You can easily pop them out if you want to open a window.
posted by ijoyner at 11:54 AM on April 5, 2011
posted by ijoyner at 11:54 AM on April 5, 2011
I'm exploring the window inserts right now. For cold weather areas, the plastic or the glass will seem to do. For you, probably E-rated glass will help a lot.
Google interior storm windows.
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 7:12 PM on April 5, 2011
Google interior storm windows.
posted by heigh-hothederryo at 7:12 PM on April 5, 2011
Response by poster: The window inserts seem like a cool, low cost idea for cold weather; however, I can't find much about low-e window inserts anywhere, and keeping the heat out in the summer is much more critical where I live than insulating in winter.
Does anyone know more about low-e interior storm windows, especially low-e plastic? I'm guessing low-e glass inserts would be quite expensive, maybe as much as replacing the window entirely.
posted by crookedgrin at 4:45 PM on April 6, 2011
Does anyone know more about low-e interior storm windows, especially low-e plastic? I'm guessing low-e glass inserts would be quite expensive, maybe as much as replacing the window entirely.
posted by crookedgrin at 4:45 PM on April 6, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The point being, your windows are only one piece of the whole picture, and should be looked at in a more holistic fashion.
posted by Forktine at 11:03 AM on April 5, 2011