In remodeling for energy efficiency, one goal is to keep sunshine off of windows and, thus, keep heat gain from entering a southern home for the majority of the year.

The ideal window situation in a DFW home would be to have: 

1. No west windows.

2. East windows covered in such a way as to have no sunshine on windows after 10 am in the morning--winter or summer.

3. South windows covered in such a way as to have no sunshine on windows except from the middle of November to possibly the end of February. 

4. North windows do not have enough solar heat load to worry about. 

Unfortunately, architects and builders did not (and many still do not) consider solar heat gain when designing and building homes in North Texas.

Now we are looking for ways to keep sun from shining on those windows.

Solar screens that intercept solar radiation, or films that prevent infrared and ultraviolet transmission while allowing good visibility, are useful retrofits for hot climates, as are awnings.

In existing buildings, vegetative shading options are generally feasible. Trees (normally deciduous) are a wonderful solution but trees take years to grow and Texas electric bills are climbing today!

One quick answer to the problem is to place a large potted plant such as a banana plant outside a south or west window in summer. Place it between the sun and the window, then check occasionally to move the plant to follow the path of the sun.

A window trellis outside a south window with summer vines to block the heat is one solution. The vines die down in winter allowing the heat in the home.

If you put a trellis in front of a west window, it would probably be wise to plant an evergreen vine on it.

Again, the primary purpose is to stop sunshine from entering the windows. Once inside the window, the heat is in the home and will not leave the home.

Is it necessary to replace windows?

Probably not unless you replace west windows with low-e windows--the kind that keeps heat out of homes.

More information about windows and remodeling here and here.

Contact Terry Jensen at 972 251-1532 or 817 545-0140.

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