I've been experimenting with shading my passive solar house to keep it comfy during the hottest part of summer. First, I added some adjustable awnings over the south-facing windows—pretty easy DIY job, actually. Then I planted some fast-growing vines on a trellis to shade the west side. Seems to help, but um...anyone got better tricks?
- Sounds like you're on the right track with awnings and vines—good moves.
- Consider reflective window films too. They're affordable, easy to DIY, and cut down heat gain significantly.
- If you haven't already, double-check your window sealing. Even small gaps can let in surprising amounts of heat.
- Exterior shutters can be handy, especially on east/west sides. Plus, they look pretty nice.
- Also, interior thermal blinds or heavy curtains help trap cool air inside during peak heat.
- And don't underestimate cross-ventilation at night. Open windows strategically after sunset to flush out the heat.
- Just a heads-up though... vines look great, but watch out for moisture buildup or insects near windows. Learned that one the hard way.
Reflective films sound interesting—do they noticeably darken the room though? I like the idea of shutters, but I'm wondering how much maintenance they need. Are they pretty durable in harsh sun, or do they fade and warp over time? And yeah, vines... learned that lesson too. Had some lovely ivy once that turned into a bug hotel. Not fun.