Save my house from the sun

[fitz19d]

So as we head into spring I need to address a yearly problem now. The back side of my house is the largest unshaded front and faces West. The living room is one of those dumb vaulted up to second floor affairs and high up on the wall are 2 large windows in addition to ground windows and my upstairs bedroom.

During summer days the amount of sunlight beaming in overwhelms the central ac and it will cook up to 80or 82 with AC running. Other day when it was like 64 it was getting up to 78 with no AC running.


I'm not sure that I can get insulation put in since I'm not sure if there's access in my attic space to the thin wall with I believe no attic over the vaulted room.

Was wondering my best options. I figured stopping sun before it touches windows ideal like an awning but unsure if it would be an issue with hoa and cost. I'm sure the neighbor would hate tin foil reflector in Windows but was wondering how effective the window tintings are or if best bet is just the honey comb type insulated blinds?

I'm also adding a big tree beyond the desk to add some relief to the side of the house in a few years.

[Wulf202]

Mirrored tint. Light blocking blinds and or upgraded windows.

Light colored paint and roofing along with the tree idea for the exterior

[00tec]

The tint works wonders. I was renting a house in Dacono that had the living room on the west side. It was horrible until I tinted the sliding door and windows.

Ensuring the AC is in the shade helps a great deal as well.

[TRnCO]

I would look into getting some custom shades made and installed that way during winter when you want that extra "free" heat you can keep the shades up, and in the summer when you want to keep the heat out, lower the shades.

[gnihcraes]

If the other options don't help enough, skin the house with 1 inch foil insulation sheets, then side again over that. Just a 2nd layer for everything to penetrate.

Make sure any paint on that side is light color too, white or off white, not browns or darker.

Call colorado home cooling, maybe can get some better ventilation on the house to keep the heat down.

[Monky]

The boss's house has the same issue. Probably a 30' by 30' wall of nothing but windows. Currently the saving grace is two large fans in the wide open living room/study area. When off the house can reach 85 easily.. when the fans are turned on it'll cool down instantly about 5-6 degrees just on medium speed. On high they'll have the house back to 70 and the AC will turn off shortly. For comparison the house is 12k+ sf.. and there are 5 AC units... all in the shade on the NE corner. At least that was planned out well..

There was once a large tree that provided ample shade to the windows. Mother nature took care of that a few years back. What do you say when a 40' tree is leaning onto the house.. yes.. you say thank you for the strong roots and damn you for the wind.

[jslo]

Window tint, insulation, ceiling fans and an attic power vent

[BushMasterBoy]

Tint, then insulate with "Reflectix" sold at Lowes. Cut it to form fit window, then take it down in the winter. I did this to my camper when I lived in it, to keep heat in!

[Irving]

I would look into getting some custom shades made and installed that way during winter when you want that extra "free" heat you can keep the shades up, and in the summer when you want to keep the heat out, lower the shades.

This.
Also I've heard the difference between black shingles and white singles is something like only 1 degree.

[SideShow Bob]

Tint, then insulate with "Reflectix" sold at Lowes. Cut it to form fit window, then take it down in the winter. I did this to my camper when I lived in it, to keep heat in!

Meh, the economy size roll of the budget brand Aluminum foil is cheap and should cover all the windows & sliding door............