- Totally agree, "
"Shade wins every time, even if it’s not as high-tech as some solutions out there.
- Tried films on my south-facing windows (double-pane, newer install). Noticed less glare but barely any real drop in temp—maybe 1-2 degrees tops.
- Exterior shutters do work, but like you said, it’s a tradeoff between light and heat. Louvered ones help, but still feels a bit closed in.
- Best result I’ve had was with a combo: retractable awning + light curtains inside. Blocks direct sun, lets you keep the view.
- For older homes, I think investing in outside shade (awnings, pergolas, even big patio umbrellas) gives way more bang for your buck than films or fancy glass.
I’ve tried just about everything over the years—films, interior shades, you name it. Honestly, exterior solutions have always worked better for me. Retractable awnings do a solid job at cutting direct sun, and you don’t lose all your daylight like with shutters or heavy drapes. Films are fine for glare, but I barely noticed a difference in temperature either—maybe a slight drop, but not enough to justify the cost. If you’ve got the space, even a pergola or some well-placed trees can make a bigger impact than any window upgrade I’ve seen. It’s not always the flashiest fix, but simple shade outside really does the trick.
Exterior shade does most of the heavy lifting, no doubt. If you want a step up from awnings, I’ve had clients go for solar screens on the outside of windows—they’re not as pretty, but they block a ton of heat and still let you see out. For new windows, low-e glass helps, but honestly, nothing beats stopping the sun before it hits the glass. If you’re worried about curb appeal, even a simple trellis with vines can make a noticeable difference over a couple summers.
Trellis with vines is underrated, honestly. I put one up a few years ago on the west side of my house—looked a little scraggly at first, but by the second summer, the inside of that room was way cooler. Tried low-e glass too, but didn’t notice as much difference as I’d hoped. Solar screens seem effective, but my neighbor’s look kinda industrial... Not sure I’d want that on the front.
- Totally agree—vines on a trellis work way better than I expected. Planted star jasmine and it took a couple years, but now it’s dense and makes a real difference.
- Low-e glass... same here, honestly. Didn’t notice much unless I put my hand right by the window.
- Solar screens do help, but yeah, that look isn’t for everyone. Tried them on the back, but wouldn’t want them on the front either.
- If you’ve got patience, the green route pays off. Plus, it just looks nicer over time.
Honestly, I’m not sold on the vines as a main solution. They look nice, sure, but in my experience, they attract way more bugs and can be a pain to keep off the siding. I tried clematis and it got wild fast. For me, low-e glass made a bigger difference than I expected, especially after swapping out old single-pane windows. Maybe it depends on the house or sun exposure, but I’d take glass upgrades over plants if I had to pick.
Yeah, vines look cool in theory, but they can turn into a jungle way faster than you’d think. I had wisteria once—thought it’d be like those fancy garden photos. It basically tried to eat my gutter and half the porch. Plus, I swear every bug in the neighborhood moved in.
Swapping to low-e glass was a game changer here too. House is from the '70s, so the old windows leaked air like crazy. After the upgrade, the AC actually gets a break, and the living room isn’t an oven by noon. Not cheap, but I noticed the difference right away. Only downside is I had to wait almost two months for the windows to come in—supply chain stuff, I guess.
If you’re worried about heat, I’d say windows over plants any day. Maybe toss up some shades or blackout curtains too for the worst afternoons. The only thing I miss about the vines is the shade, but not enough to deal with all that trimming and bug wrangling.
I totally get what you mean about the vines. I had this idea that some climbing ivy would make our place look charming, but it just turned into a mess—bugs everywhere and the siding started looking rough. Kinda wish I’d skipped it.
We did the low-e glass thing last winter, and honestly, I was surprised by how much of a difference it made once summer hit. The living room used to be impossible to sit in during the afternoon, but now it’s actually comfortable. The price tag stung a bit, and waiting for the install was frustrating (supply chain delays here too), but I’d do it again.
Did you notice any weird condensation issues with your new windows? Ours fogged up a few mornings when we first got them—maybe just adjusting to the house? Also curious if anyone’s tried those reflective window films as a cheaper fix before committing to new glass. I keep seeing ads but not sure if they’re worth it.
I tried those reflective window films in my last apartment before I went all-in on new windows. They definitely cut down on glare and helped with the afternoon heat, but honestly, they didn’t do much for insulation. Also, if you’re picky about looks, some can look a bit cheap or start to peel after a year or two. I did get a bit of condensation at first with the new low-e glass, but it settled down once the humidity evened out inside. If you’re just looking to take the edge off, films are a decent stopgap, but nothing beats actual low-e glass for comfort.
That lines up with what I’ve noticed. I slapped some of those films on our living room windows last summer, mostly because I was desperate to stop feeling like I was in a greenhouse every afternoon. They worked okay for glare, but I still felt the heat radiating off the glass. The edges started curling up after a while too—looked kinda sad. We’re debating biting the bullet and going for low-e windows, but man, the price makes me wince. Still, if it means not sweating through July, maybe it’s worth it?