Summer = hot. Anyone use these exterior Snap Shades on their windows?

[BUTCH1]

I had one too and I know what you mean. My problem is black bodies seem to be the only ones that have non-black interiors. And a black interior will cook you in the sunlight too.

I had a '72 matador with a black vinyl bench sheet, it was an ass hibachi in the summer, I had to keep a white towel on top of it to make it bearable.

 

[Kelvrick]

The entry level kit is only $129, now I'm all in favor of homebrew ideas but it's gonna be hard to beat that price and their material might be hard to find if only they make it..

I think that 10' kit for $129 was only 80+ at costco. I'll update the thread with costco prices when I check it out again on Tuesday.

3 kits would cover my giant 2 story window as well as 2 more upstairs bedroom windows. If people are interested, I'll post pictures and a review when its finished.

 

[BUTCH1]

I think that 10' kit for $129 was only 80+ at costco. I'll update the thread with costco prices when I check it out again on Tuesday.

3 kits would cover my giant 2 story window as well as 2 more upstairs bedroom windows. If people are interested, I'll post pictures and a review when its finished.

OK, good deal, I was looking around and found this http://wholesalescreensandglass.com/36x100_Phifer_SunScreen_Charcoal.html but I cant tell what quality it is (but it's cheap)..

 

[0roo0roo]

look stupid
i guess if ur house is really old and u can't afford new windows.

otherwise low e double pane glass does more than enough.

 

[Kelvrick]

OK, good deal, I was looking around and found this http://wholesalescreensandglass.com/36x100_Phifer_SunScreen_Charcoal.html but I cant tell what quality it is (but it's cheap)..

That does look interesting. The SnapShade sight says their stuff is "90%". The page you linked to has other stuff that is also rated at "90%" and costs more than what you linked directly, but is still cheaper than the SnapShade stuff.

I noticed they had an "insect screen" version too. I was just thinking that having this extra mesh over the windows would also help keep bugs out.

 

[Capt Caveman]

look stupid
i guess if ur house is really old and u can't afford new windows.

otherwise low e double pane glass does more than enough.

Not sure if serious.

 

[BUTCH1]

That does look interesting. The SnapShade sight says their stuff is "90%". The page you linked to has other stuff that is also rated at "90%" and costs more than what you linked directly, but is still cheaper than the SnapShade stuff.

I noticed they had an "insect screen" version too. I was just thinking that having this extra mesh over the windows would also help keep bugs out.

The Snap shade claims that their material won't fray when cut, IDK about the other stuff..

 

[BUTCH1]

look stupid
i guess if ur house is really old and u can't afford new windows.

otherwise low e double pane glass does more than enough.

My house was built in the 70's, single pane windows , price to install double-pane $4-5K so it's not cheap although they do save a lot of energy loss.

 

[Capt Caveman]

My house was built in the 70's, single pane windows , price to install double-pane $4-5K so it's not cheap although they do save a lot of energy loss.

low e double pane glass is not going to stop sunlight from warming the inside of a house.

 

[Kelvrick]

low e double pane glass is not going to stop sunlight from warming the inside of a house.

My house was built in 04 and already has double pane windows. I can feel the temperature difference in the area with the uncovered windows compared to the window that is shaded by my balcony.

 

[coloumb]

I saw some of these kits at costco and they seem pretty interesting. Cut to size, then attach to your windows for a temporary shade that can be taken down in the winter. I have a big 2 story window that I was going to go with a motorized external shade for, but this would be way cheaper and allow me to buy some for the windows as well. Was just wondering if anyone had some first hand experience.

Links:
http://www.ezsnapdirect.com/

Father in Law made a set of these about 5 years ago for our windows [4 windows on the bottom floor] - grey mesh material purchased from home depot/lowes. Self-taping fasteners/snaps from an online retailer - about .60 per fastener/snap, and the tooling to install the snaps onto the mesh material.

Definitely notice a significant heat reduction during the summer months + privacy from the nosy neighbors.

The only problem I've seen so far is when the self-taping screw fails to stay in the new style windows [1/4" plastic frame] - typically if it's very window - only option is to drill a new hole and move the snap over. There is also the chance for the plastic frame to become damaged.

Adhesive Studs with 3M™ super hold VHB adhesive would be the best route to go for the new style 1/4" plastic window frames.

 

[Kelvrick]

Father in Law made a set of these about 5 years ago for our windows [4 windows on the bottom floor] - grey mesh material purchased from home depot/lowes. Self-taping fasteners/snaps from an online retailer - about .60 per fastener/snap, and the tooling to install the snaps onto the mesh material.

Definitely notice a significant heat reduction during the summer months + privacy from the nosy neighbors.

The only problem I've seen so far is when the self-taping screw fails to stay in the new style windows [1/4" plastic frame] - typically if it's very window - only option is to drill a new hole and move the snap over. There is also the chance for the plastic frame to become damaged.

Adhesive Studs with 3M™ super hold VHB adhesive would be the best route to go for the new style 1/4" plastic window frames.

Cool, thanks for the additional info. Once I figure out how much it costs from costco, I'll decide which screen to get. I'll probably get the 3m studs right on the EZ snap page.

I found some more screens at home depot and lowes.com by just searching for sun screen. I'll update people with a spreadsheet of cost regarding the screens on Tuesday.

I also found some nifty articles on it here.

Step1. Links through 9 steps.
http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2008/04/04/exterior-solar-blinds-part-1/

1 year later review:
http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2009/05/10/ez-snap-exterior-window-shades-one-year-later/

 

[BUTCH1]

low e double pane glass is not going to stop sunlight from warming the inside of a house.

True, the light will pass through and heat up whatever it touches. Double pane does help with AC/heat costs by greatly lowering convective loss but at 4-5K for a retrofit it's kinda pricey for me..

 

[gophins72]

i wonder what material it is... what is "EZ Snap™ shading mesh" and how it compares to just making a regular window screen (which is extremely cheap to make).

costco generally doesnt carry a lot of bad quality products though, so i'd be inclined to give it a shot.

 

[Fayd]

Thermostat in my room says 27 C (that's 81 F you americana) right now. FML. I go ADD and just plain drunk when it gets this hot. And my 6850 won't shut up even when idling.

...

you get whiny easily.

it's 85-90 F in my room regularly.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

We call them solar shades here in Texas. They are really common. Bunch of local companies will install them for you. I think I paid about $500 for all the windows on the house a couple years ago. I love em. My house seems to stay cooler and it's nice and dark on the inside. During the day you could open the blinds and see outside clearly but looking from the outside you can't see inside the house.

 

[Capt Caveman]

i wonder what material it is... what is "EZ Snap™ shading mesh" and how it compares to just making a regular window screen (which is extremely cheap to make).

costco generally doesnt carry a lot of bad quality products though, so i'd be inclined to give it a shot.

I'm wondering this also. Can one just replace the screen inserts of one's windows with the black vinyl/fiberglass replacement window screening that you can buy at Home Depot for like $7/windows to get a similar effect?

Or is it more like the weed blocking material that you use landscaping/gardening?

 

[Eos]

Trees start making a difference the minute you put them in the ground, and get better with time. While the windows are the main heater, the walls suck up a lot of heat also, and any shade you can put on any part of the house makes a difference.

What can a new tree do when it's six feet wide, ten feet tall, and the sun is at a 70 degree angle to the ground? Trees are not generally planted three feet from a window.

 

[BurnItDwn]

Hmm ... I have trees that block direct sun from most of my windows a good number of hours in the day, however, I could go for something like this on the western side of my house, at least 2 or 3 of the windows would benefit from this ... tempted

 

[Kelvrick]

Update for those interested. I went to costco yesterday and they were $64.99 for a 6ft x 10ft with 48 EZ snap sets.

I think it is pretty much this one since Gale Pacific owns Coolaroo.
http://www.coolaroousa.com/view-product.do?product_id=799870436506.

I'm going back and buying 3 of them this weekend.

 

[Eos]

My local warehouse has the same kit for $67.99. Unfortunately, I think the kit comes with the adhesive snap system, and I want to use the screw system. Coolaroo has bags of the stainless screws available to order.

 

[Red Squirrel]

...

you get whiny easily.

it's 85-90 F in my room regularly.

That's insane. I'd go crazy if it got that hot in my house. Sucks to sweat even when naked with fans blowing on you.

 

[alkemyst]

I like to prance around naked in front of those windows. All the neighbors love me.

wow just wow.

 

[Squisher]

I have window tint on the whole house. Works great at keeping the house cool in the summer. I think it was around $1000.

EDIT: any naked prancing goes unseen by the neighbors +++

 

[0roo0roo]

Cool, thanks for the additional info. Once I figure out how much it costs from costco, I'll decide which screen to get. I'll probably get the 3m studs right on the EZ snap page.

I found some more screens at home depot and lowes.com by just searching for sun screen. I'll update people with a spreadsheet of cost regarding the screens on Tuesday.

I also found some nifty articles on it here.

Step1. Links through 9 steps.
http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2008/04/04/exterior-solar-blinds-part-1/

1 year later review:
http://dailyhomerenotips.com/2009/05/10/ez-snap-exterior-window-shades-one-year-later/

kind of hard to believe the low e glass didn't cut the heat transfer even with tall windows like that.

solution looks pretty extreme, block out the entire window with dark mesh, you might as well put some plywood in front of the window