hi all. i live in western Colorado, in the desert part rather than the mountain part, and it’s HOT. and sunny. my house has a long west-facing wall full of large windows, and we’ve been keeping the blinds shut all day but it’s not helping. i’m thinking of installing awnings.

my questions are, a) have you done this or something similar, and if so what did you do, b) are there awnings available that are NOT just plastic? and c) any other hints, tips, or ideas would be welcome.

  • BanjoShepard@lemmy.world
    36·
    4 months ago

    Is this by any chance inspired by the recent Technology Connections video? As a homeowner with a brutal western exposure, I’m in the same boat.

  • protist@mander.xyzEnglish
    5·
    4 months ago

    Playing the long game, plant some trees that will eventually give you afternoon shade!

    Search “aluminum awnings” and you’ll get a ton of results like these

    • tofu berserker (he/they)@slrpnk.netOP
      3·
      4 months ago

      yes, that actually is my very long term strategy, but the trees are not in place yet. my wife and i had a permaculture analyst suggest plants that produce edible foods for our area, so there are some plans for that and maybe also sunflowers or amaranth to do a natural block. but for today, i’m thinking awnings.

  • Lemonparty@lemm.ee
    4·
    4 months ago

    Can’t help you with awnings, but you should invest in some cellular shades for your windows. We have the same problem, the entire length of our house, with the rooms we spend the most time in, faces west and from about 1pm-740pm it gets uninterrupted full sun, and brother it is HOT. Even with regular blinds you can feel the temperature increase from one side of the house every step as you walk towards the other side.

    Cellular shades are a GAME CHANGER. They fold up into basically nothing when not in use, and when you pull them down the heat stays out. It rules, and it’s a very affordable and easy to install fix while you build your awnings. You will not regret them.

  • Hanrahan@slrpnk.netEnglish
    2·
    4 months ago

    Plant Trees and shrubs along that section if possible?

    Or move. This will only get worse the longer we deny it by doing nothing substantive. That’s what I did.

    • tofu berserker (he/they)@slrpnk.netOP
      2·
      4 months ago

      i’d love to move, but i want to improve where i am while i’m here. we have some plans for trees and sunflowers or amaranth on that side, but i think it’s a “both/and” situation rather than an “either/or” for me.