I’m about to tackle replacing a few old windows myself (the house is from the 70s, so… yeah, they’re bad). Thing is, I live in Phoenix, so the heat is brutal. I’ve read about low-E glass and stuff, but honestly, I’m not sure what actually works or if there are tricks to installing them that make a real difference in keeping the house cooler. Has anyone done this themselves and found something that really helped? Or maybe something you wish you’d done differently?
Did this a couple years back on my 60s ranch, also in the desert. Low-E glass does help, but I found the real difference came from making sure the gaps around the window were sealed tight—use good expanding foam and don’t skimp on caulk. I went with double-pane vinyl, and honestly, the drop in afternoon heat was noticeable. If I could do it over, I’d pay more attention to shading outside too... even the best glass can only do so much against that Phoenix sun.
Interesting you mention the sealing—do you think the foam or the caulk made the bigger difference? I’ve seen a few jobs where people skipped the backer rod and it still leaked air. Also, for exterior shading, did you ever try awnings or shade sails, or just stick with landscaping?
- Honestly, I’ve seen caulk fail pretty fast on its own—especially if the gap’s bigger than a hairline. Foam fills more space, but without a backer rod, it can still shrink or leave gaps over time. I’m not convinced skipping the backer rod is ever worth it, even if it feels like overkill at the time.
- As for shading, tried awnings on the south side once—looked decent but didn’t last more than a couple seasons before the fabric faded and hardware rusted. Landscaping’s slower but way less maintenance in my experience.
Ever mess with those reflective window films? Curious if they’re actually worth the hassle or just snake oil...
Reflective film—tried it once in my last place. It did drop the temp a little, but honestly, it made the rooms feel a bit gloomy and you could see every little streak or bubble if you didn’t get it perfect. Not sure I’d go that route again unless it was a spot where I didn’t care about the view.
On the window install side, yeah, skipping the backer rod is tempting but I’ve regretted it before. Foam alone shrank on me and left gaps after one summer. Now I just bite the bullet and do both—takes longer but seems to hold up better.
Awnings were a bust for me too (fabric got trashed in two summers), but some cheap solar screens from Home Depot actually helped more than I expected. Not pretty, but they cut the afternoon glare and heat way down. If you’re not picky about looks, worth a shot.
Yeah, I hear you on the reflective film. I put it up in my home office and it did help with the heat, but man, it made everything feel like a dentist's waiting room—just kind of dull. The streaks drove me nuts, too. Solar screens are underrated for sure; I’ve had them on my west-facing windows for three summers now and they still look fine, plus I can actually keep the blinds open without roasting. Has anyone here tried those exterior roller shades? I keep seeing ads but not sure if they're worth the hassle or just another thing that'll break after a year...
- Totally get the dentist’s office vibe from reflective film—had the same thing in my last place. It just made the room feel weirdly sterile, and the streaks never really went away no matter how careful I was with the install.
- Solar screens are a solid choice. Mine have held up through some brutal Texas summers and I like that I can still see out without frying. Only downside: they can make the inside a little darker than I’d prefer if it’s already a gloomy day.
- On exterior roller shades—put one up on our patio door last year (mid-range, not top of the line). Install wasn’t awful but took two people. It’s held up so far, though I had to tighten the tension once after a storm. The big win for me is being able to drop it when the sun’s blasting in but roll it up to get the view back. It does flap around a bit when it’s windy, so not perfect.
- Price-wise, they’re a step up from solar screens, but if you want flexibility and don’t mind the occasional adjustment, I’d say worth a shot. Just don’t go for the absolute cheapest ones—they seem to break or fade fast from what I’ve seen at friends’ places.
Hope that helps. It’s always a trade-off with this stuff...
Honestly, I’m not sold on solar screens for every situation.
That’s been my main gripe too—my living room started to feel like a cave, especially during winter. Ended up pulling them off and going with cellular shades inside. They’re not as rugged as exterior options, but I get more control over light and privacy. Just depends on whether you want to block heat or keep things bright indoors, I guess.“Only downside: they can make the inside a little darker than I’d prefer if it’s already a gloomy day.”
That’s pretty much where I landed, too. Solar screens did cut the heat, but I couldn’t handle how gloomy everything felt—especially with north-facing windows. I’m testing out cellular shades now. Not perfect, but at least they let in more light when I want it. Still not sure if they’ll hold up long-term, though…
Still not sure if they’ll hold up long-term, though…
Totally get what you mean about the “gloomy” vibe with solar screens. I tried them in my living room and it felt like a cave, especially on cloudy days. Here’s where I’m at:
- Cellular shades are a nice middle ground. Love being able to adjust the light.
- They seem to insulate well, but I’m also worried about how they’ll last—my dog’s already scratched one.
- For north-facing windows, I’m thinking sheer curtains layered with the shades. Lets in light but still helps with heat.
Every window solution seems to have its trade-offs, but it feels good to experiment and figure out what works for your space.