Too Hot? Here's How to Stop Heat Coming In Your Windows Once and For All

Is your home turning into an oven during the summer months? Excessive heat coming in through your windows can make your rooms unbearably hot and drive up cooling costs.

Luckily, with the right window treatments and upgrades, you can effectively block heat gain and keep the inside of your home comfortable when temperatures rise.

Why Heat Gains Entry Through Windows

Windows are one of the leading ways that heat enters homes because glass and frames conduct heat much more readily than insulated walls. Windows also allow radiant heat from sunlight to pass into your home and warm up the air.

Without proper shading and insulation, windows can transmit unwanted solar heat that forces your cooling system to work harder. Taking steps to reduce heat flow through glass is key to maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

Use Exterior Window Shadings

One of the most effective ways to block heat coming through windows is to install exterior shading devices like awnings, overhangs and shutters. These structures provide shade that prevents solar radiation from hitting and heating up the window glass.

Plantings like trees, shrubs and vines can also shade windows and reduce heat gain when positioned to strategically block sunlight. Unlike indoor shades that trap heat, exterior shading keeps solar energy outside the glass.

Install High-Performance Window Films

Applying window films is a quick, affordable way to cut heat coming through existing windows. Reflective metallic or ceramic films help block UV radiation and reject solar heat.

Infrared-rejection films are designed to reduce the transmission of infrared radiation, which we perceive as heat. These thin films can lower glass temperature by up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add Solar Screens to Windows

Outdoor solar screens provide shade and ventilation while protecting interiors from glare. These mesh screens easily retrofit onto window exteriors to block up to 70% of solar energy without blocking views.

Solar screens significantly cut heat gain and protect furnishings from sun damage. They also allow air circulation to reduce humidity and condensation.

Utilize Indoor Blinds and Shades

Drawing blinds, shades and curtains during peak sun hours is an easy way to block solar heat. Opt for blackout or thermal blinds that prevent both light and heat from entering the room.

Install side channels to seal edges of blinds and ensure heat does not sneak through tiny gaps around the shades. Smart motors also enable you to easily automate your blinds to adjust throughout the day.

Apply Window Tinting Film

Window tint films work by reducing solar energy transmitted through glass. Dyed, metalized and ceramic tints can reject up to 79% of solar heat while helping filter out UV rays.

Professional installation ensures proper film application with minimal bubbles and defects. Consider dual reflective films that also provide privacy while allowing daylight into your home.

Upgrade to Double Pane Windows

Replacing single pane windows with double pane insulated windows can make a dramatic difference in preventing heat flow. two layers of glass trap insulating air or gas between them to significantly reduce conduction.

Low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings further improve insulation by reflecting interior heat back inside. While expensive, high-performance double pane windows provide long-term relief from solar heat gain.

Adjust Landscaping and Hardscapes

Strategically planting trees, shrubs and vines around windows creates beneficial shade zones. Foliage blocks sunlight, allowing only filtered light through to cool the interior.

Hardscaping additions like trellises, overhangs and shade structures adjacent to windows also obstruct solar radiation. Position patio areas away from window zones to avoid heat reflections.

Use Interior Window Coverings

Interior window treatments add a second line of defense against solar heat. Blackout curtains in light hues reflect sunlight before it turns into heat. Ensure curtain lengths extend past windows to cover frames.

Cellular shades with sealed side channels provide insulation. Installing the shade backing right up against window glass is ideal for reducing heat flow.

Apply Window Coatings

Specialized window coatings offer another solution to limit heat gain. Low-emissivity coatings reduce heat loss in winter and reflect heat in summer.

Liquid nanogel films create an insulating barrier to radiant heat. These leading-edge coatings can restrict up to 96% of infrared light for comprehensive thermal protection.

Maintain Proper Sealing and Weatherstripping

Air leaks around widows allow hot outdoor air to flow into your home. Ensure weatherstripping seals the edges properly and upgrade to high-performance weatherseals if possible.

Caulk and seal any cracks, gaps or openings throughout the frame to reduce air infiltration. Proper sealing keeps cool air in and blocks heat conduction through frames.

Preventing solar heat from invading your home through windows involves a combination of shading, films, upgraded glass and weatherization. Proper window protections deliver cooler indoor comfort while also reducing energy costs.

You can see a reduction in heat and humidity with simple upgrades like window films and weather stripping. More intensive renovations like new double pane windows provide lasting relief from summer solar heat gain.