Daily Discussion Thread: Wed 22 Nov 2023
Daily Discussion Thread: Wed 22 Nov 2023
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Anyone know if this plan will work, or if I'm wasting my time? My rectangle house has a large west facing wall. Lots of windows and only single glaze. No easement on the roof (freaking 2000's build!). Last summer I taped some foil to the windows and it helped a fair but, but the rattling in the wind when the change came through was insane. Wondering if I could go buy some narrow shade sails from Bunnings that have some eyelets, a couple of ocki straps and hook them up the gutter and peg the other end into the ground. Is it worth the money and effort? or am I going to see bugger all difference?
Gutters certainly won't be strong enough. The hook idea is NOT a good one. Might be some hints in the DIY section of the Bunnings website on setting up shade sails. There are firms that will install proper anchor points and shade sails, which sound like the best solution. Looking at 3-400 per window though in $$ or an unknown cost to install a sail to cover the whole side. You could also get a pine pole or two installed to support the shade sail(s) but this won't be portable if you move. How much does it cost to run the air-con? And are you willing to risk an expensive repair to the guttering if they get damaged? There probably aren't any cheap good solutions. Also consult @[email protected] who is probably better informed than all of us.
yeah shade sails are called sails for a reason - but the ol bamboo blind could work if anchored to the wall
I did look into that. Trouble is I have brick walls and dont have an impact driver so I cant DIY it. Even bamboo blinds are going to need proper tool to install (plus its windy AF near gipsland so they dont last 2 years if I dont take them down over winter)
hmm, do you have a pic of the area above the window? If there's gutters there has to be some sort of mount that can be used
Saw that you own. I’m not an handyperson and have never done this but could you rent one and drill holes in the mortar, then tap in those little plastic plugs as anchors for screws?
I’ve seen that done for attaching house numbers to brickwork but the mortar was my own idea.
Mortar may be softer to drill into and easier to repair on mistakes or removal than the brick (someone else pipe up if this is a bad idea)
Yeah next best idea is getting a handyman to come install anchor points.
If you'll be there for a few years you might want to consider a green wall for that side of the house. Best approach is to build a structure off the wall to train the plant, but you can also just let something like a boston ivy grow and you get the benefit of shady leaves (e.g. transpiration/cooling) during summer, and they lose their leaves over winter so you'll get direct sun again. I experimented on the side of an old house and had temps more than 10deg lower behind the leaves/on the wall than the ambient 35deg. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/oct/20/dont-bother-with-living-wall-plant-ivy
I realise this won't help the window issue. The shade cloth will work but I think you'll want something more tensionable than ocky straps.. a big wind could have them whipping round. Edit: see other posts about not attaching to the guttering.
You might also want to look at planting something deciduous to shade the window during summer too.
I loved the idea of the boston ivy, but was deterred by the reports that they are just rat highways (we already have a significant rodent issue in winter). I toyed with some trees or something, but I've already dont that along the back and eastern fences so the west is the only way I can still see the horizon.
I'd be looking more at something like this for the top
And a trampoline anchor kit for the bottom. Occy straps have to much give in them and the cheap ones are not weather proof.
yeah thats sort of what I was thinking, but I can just see that ripping up the gutter though.
It's like this. Anything you put up is going to need to be taken down in the wind because it'll blow like a bastard. The only thing that will work are roller shutters. Even people who have those stripey shade covers are advised to roll them up in the wind. Anchoring a shade cloth to the gutter depends on how heavy the cloth is. It will work but not with the slightest of wind.
My mum is a pensioner and she wanted them done on her windows but they are pricey. So she got somebody out to do the 3 lounge windows and explained to the guy that she'd like to eventually get all the windows done but can't afford them done at the same time. He gave her a quote for each of the rest and when she saved for 2 windows she called him up and got them done. What you need is a guy like that. You'll save a shitload of cash on your heating and cooling bill.
Edit: She got roller shutters.
own or rent?
own
I’m in the same situation. The rattling is the worst.
It could work but gutters aren’t very strong. I would wonder whether the gutter would withstand the weight of the shade sail (not familiar with them, unsure if they’re as substantial as the green shade cloth) or if it would give out a bit/damage if a big gust of wind caught the cloth with it secured at the bottom.
I’ve looked at popup marquees, shade sails, umbrellas etc but all solutions are quite awkward.
You can try non adhesive window film. I bought a sample swatch off eBay but it wasn’t dark enough for my taste (I wanted really dark one way visibility for privacy) and I think the cheapest off brand I got wasn’t great at staying
Edit: Another idea is suction cup blackout curtains sold for babies
yeah the gutter part was my primary concern. just chatting to my brother who suggested screwing some pine to the bricks then mounting the clips on that. Trouble with the suction is half of it is that bottle glass so nothing sticks to those windows.
Ah damn. You can try traditional vinyl backed blockout curtains but they can be a bit stinky, especially right after being washed.
If you don’t have curtain hooks a tension rod will work but it depends on the width of the window. It’s expensive and tougher to find tension rods over a meter and I had hooks so cheap blockouts over the blinds it is.
I more used the tension rods to suspend blankets (with a quickly sewn fold-over casing) in doorways as curtains, in order to heat or cool a smaller space while still letting the cat get to her bowls and litterbox.
Be warned though - leaving one room unheated/cooler in winter can contribute to condensation and mould issues.
Definitely weatherstrip the doors too if you can