![How to Block Heat from Windows [4 Easy Ways]](https://cdn.eathappyproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/How-to-Block-Heat-from-Windows-4-Easy-Ways.jpg)
Windows are essential architectural and aesthetic elements of any house. Natural light from the windows in the house is welcoming and warm in the winter mornings. We love to get soaked in it, but too much of it cannot be very pleasant, especially in summers. Similarly, in winters, we love the warmth in our living rooms, but windows may cause heat loss, resulting in heat loss.
Too much light brings a lot of heat into the house, making it way too hot inside. Sometimes it becomes very challenging to block the heat coming from them on hot summer days.
Fans and cooling systems are not enough to block the sun’s heat coming from the window. Proper window treatments can save us up to 25% in heating and cooling bills. There are far better and cost-effective ways to combat the heat. If you are looking for such ways, you have landed on an excellent article. Do not worry, and we have researched for you and provided you with the best possible ideas that you can use to counter the heat and harmful UV radiations this summer.
Ways to Block Heat from Windows
Windows can intensify the sun’s rays and heat your home. Let us have a look at some of the ways you can block the heat from the windows.
Heat Blocking Window Sheets
A quick way to fix intense overheating problems is by installing window sheets. It is effortless, and you can do it yourself as well. Although installing window sheets will not solve the problem, it diminishes the problem.
The trick to getting the maximum possible benefit is using the right type of window shades to block the heat and install them as close to the glass as possible. Cellular or honeycomb window shades are the most effective for insulation purposes.
Honeycomb shapes help trap air and reduce solar heat gain. Add sidetracks to your shades to make them sit more closely to the window and block out more heat from the window.
Also, use lighter shades of color like white or beige to help reflect the sun’s rays. If these colors match your interior color scheme, you can always hang drapes to solve these aesthetic issues.
External Window Shading
Another way to solve the heating issue is by creating shade outside the window. Again, this can be done as a DIY project by yourself, or if you want, you to hire a professional to do the job. Plants and trees around the house lower the outside temperature as they lose their water vapor. This way, the trees will help shed some light and keep the space outside your home cooler.
As recommended by the United States Department of Energy (DOE), using window shades is the easiest and most effective way to keep out the sun. They work best only when they are correctly installed.
They should be mounted close to the glass. Create a tight seal by installing it against the adjacent wall minimizing both heat loss and heat gain. You can also add extra functionality by putting up shades with a bright shade on one side and a darker one.
You can reverse the shades according to the season. The bright shade will block the heat in summer, and the dark ones take in the heat in winter.
Awning or eaves can also be installed over the window from outside. They reduce the amount of sunlight that hits the window. It is better to take help from a professional for doing this rather than yourself to make sure that they are installed at perfect angles to get the best results.
Use Heat Reducing Window Film
Ever thought of using unique insulating plastic film? If not, let me tell you that it does not create a vast difference but may help block the heat to some extent. You can purchase unique insulating plastic film and apply it to your windows. When you attach it to the inside of the glass, a small air space is created.
Again, as I said, it would not make a huge difference, but if you have enough of these to cover all glass panes, you can block some heat from entering while you continue to enjoy natural light.
Bubble Wrap Window Insulation
It may sound lame, but it is a viable option. It is truly a low-cost solution if you want to go for a not too expensive solution and somewhat does the job just fine. Bubble wraps can temporarily block out the summer sunlight.
Bubble wraps block the sunlight by increasing the window’s insulation properties by creating a layer of still, trapped air.
To make the best out of it, make sure the bubble wrap is tightly wrapped and sealed around the glass. This double-glazing alternative can help to insulate your windows from cold air in winters. This is a suitable option to go for if you do not want to invest a lot of money but want a quick solution to this problem.
You can also try to combine two or more of these methods to impact one substantially. As we saw, none of these are very complicated techniques and are DIY friendly, and you will not even need to spend more on professional help. Let us see how we can combine multiple methods.
Combining Multiple Methods
Methods like window films, external window shading, or using bubble wraps ensure partial blocking of sunlight. Some of these, like outdoor shadings, can even enhance the aesthetics of your house. However, as the earth moves, the sun’s position and the angle of sunlight also change, which means that you are still getting that unwanted heat at noon.
Similarly, even if you are using window coverings like block-out blinds or shades, they can slow down the heat passing through and around the window dressing but cannot stop the heat from hitting the window. When the glass heats up from outside, the heat energy is still there, and it will inevitably seep into your home.
By combining two or more of these methods, you can increase its efficiency and enjoy the best impact. You can install blinds or shades, apply plastic and work on developing outdoor shade, and when all these are combined, it will help block out the heat from the windows. Make sure while doing this, you are not making your windows look more chaotic. Keep it minimalistic and straightforward by using light colors and correctly matching them with your home décor.
Reflecting Heat Away from Windows
Since 40% of unwanted heat in your room comes from windows, it is essential to get rid of that extra heat. Reflective window coatings can be used to throw off extra heat of your apertures. These special liners are plastic sheets that are enhanced with thin metal layers and dyes.
These reflective coatings not only keep the sun’s heat away but also lower the glare and prevent your carpets, draperies, and furniture from fading. Apply these coatings on the interior side of your window. If you are not able to do it yourself, you can also take professional help.
What Are Some Other Ways to Prevent Heat Loss Through Windows?
Before spending a lot of money on fancy heat-loss prevention tactics, have a look at these cheap and fast methods to maintain warmth in your house.
Reflective Aluminum Foils
Put reflective aluminum foil at the back of your radiator. Aluminum Foils or Tin foils have two significant properties that make them suitable for various applications- their ability to block heat and light.
Aluminum foils are easy to use and very cost useful. Most people use it to preserve food, but very few know that it can block radiant heat. By putting it at the back of the radiator or merely placing over your interior glass windowpane and sealing it with tape, it can block out the heat. It can resist heat and thus can prevent heat loss.
Using Heavy Curtains
Heavy curtains with thermal linings can be placed on windows and front doors to prevent heat loss from them. Thermal curtains work effectively in both summers and winters. Medium to light-colored curtains with a white, thermally reflective backing can reduce heat gain during summer by 33% by reflecting solar radiation.
These insulating curtains create a dead space that keeps cold air from infiltrating a room. By using such heavy drapes or curtains, heat loss from the windows can be prevented. At night by closing curtains, up to 17% of heat loss can be prevented.
Seal Any Gaps
Seal any gaps on the edges of your windows by adding some self-adhesive foam strips.
Chimney Balloon
Purchase a chimney balloon for your chimney. These can be blown up naturally and are inserted into the throat of the chimney. The unique laminate in the balloon will limit the amount of heat that goes up through the stack.
Avoid Placing Anything Before the Radiator
Furniture such as a sofa may absorb a lot of heat without you even noticing it.
Which Way to Turn the Blinds to Keep the Heat Out?
Blinds when tilted upwards with the rounded side facing out. This way, the position will naturally direct the heat towards the ceiling and reduce heat gain. This also makes the rest of the space in your room remain more relaxed, with very minimal glare from the sun.
Facing downwards, there are more significant gaps left for more heat and sunlight to get in. As the heat gets in, it is pushed towards the floor, thereby leaving very little room for fresh air. The sun heats the back of the blind, and once it gets too hot, it starts heating the air that gets in your room.
Can We Block Sunlight 100%?
Do you want to block sunlight 100%? Then, you should probably go for high-quality blackout fabrics and linings, which entirely block the light and heat of blazing sunshine. With the advancements in drapery lining manufacturing, the cost has reduced significantly and made it softer–dropping products. They are manufactured in the form of panels and can be installed on the back of the drapery.
Adding Plants Never Fails
Sealing window dressings with bubble wrap or aluminum foil is all good, but it may not be enough. Adding a few plants in the house never fails to impress us with its benefits. They look excellent with house aesthetics and add a much-needed cooling effect to any room in your house.
Plants are cheap, but they look stylish and make you feel much cooler by adopting a mini- botanical garden right at the comfort of your home.
Final Thoughts
Apart from our primary aim, which is to block the heat from windows and save a lot on energy bills, window dressings are also an excellent aesthetic addition to our houses. Therefore, window dressings’ right selection becomes very important in reducing heat gain in summers and heat loss in winters.
As we discussed in the article, there are many ways to block heat from windows. Most of these are very easy and can be done by us, but there is no harm in taking professional help. With professional hands, the work will take less time to be done finely, and you will not have to worry about it.
But if you have time and are interested in taking up these small, exciting projects at your home, you should try and do it yourself and get a new experience of it. So, decide which way you will choose to block the heat from the living room’s windows in your house and start with your new project.