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installing awnings? (slrpnk.net)

submitted 3 months ago by hamtron5000@slrpnk.net to c/diy@slrpnk.net

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hi all. i live in western Colorado, in the desert part rather than the mountain part, and it's HOT. and sunny. my house has a long west-facing wall full of large windows, and we've been keeping the blinds shut all day but it's not helping. i'm thinking of installing awnings.

my questions are, a) have you done this or something similar, and if so what did you do, b) are there awnings available that are NOT just plastic? and c) any other hints, tips, or ideas would be welcome.

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[–] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 13 points 3 months ago (2 children)

I do energy consulting, and it's hard to effectively shade east and west windows from morning and evening sun. Awnings on the west lose effectiveness because the sun gets lower and lower in the sky as it sets, requiring an awning to be lower (blocking the view) to still provide shade to the window. An awning will help to block the more southern portion coming around earlier in the day, but the most effective would likely be adjustable exterior blinds or coverings rather than an awning.

As you've discovered, interior blinds aren't very effective too. Once that sun is through the window, it's hard to get back out.

[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Retractable awnings should be able to cope with this issue, right? At the expense of having to be actively managed, unless you go all in and get a motorized one with IoT-controls.

[–] OminousOrange@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

They'd be better than nothing, but you're right, actively managed often means not managed unless it really has to be. But, they could stay down all day for the hottest parts of the year without issue.

[–] hamtron5000@slrpnk.net 1 points 3 months ago

yeah, i'm thinking (tentatively) about trying to get some non-plastic, manually retractable cloth ones. then i can leave them fully extended for the hot-as-balls summer and dial them back for other seasons.