MarketPlace Windows
Preparations for Windows - Heat
To be fair – the previous two items are … virtually the same. However – the roll of Double Reflective has no seams and comes in many lengths and widths. The Auto Solar Shield … folds. It may not serve your purpose. Your next best bet is a combo of aluminum foil, topped with a layer of bubble wrap, topped off with more aluminum foil – which is essentially what these two products are. (Actually, I think it’s silver mylar.)
Trees and shrubs – Several of the plants shown would provide shade in summer but not much protection in winter – which usually isn’t a problem. Do your homework here – find out the growing Zone that you’re in (Climate Change may “change” that zone number!) Then, go online and look for ‘trees and shrubs that provide shade.’ Hint: Be careful NOT to look for trees that grow well IN the shade.
Window Film and Tinting
I’m gonna be honest. I don’t know the difference between these two products – but devotees of window films could probably tell me. When they do – I’ll tell you!
Awnings - Lots of Sizes and Shapes
Blinds and Shades
Blinds are created by using (usually) individual slats of product (plastic, wood, metal, etc) that can be louvered into completely shut or open in varying degrees. Blinds can be horizontal (first pic) or vertical and hanging (second pic). Shades are full pieces of fabric (usually) that can be raised or lowered to block light (or the view). Shades can be opaque to black-out.
Drapes Vs Curtains
Drapes are often made with heavy fabrics, are lined (often with a heavier fabric to black out light), and run from the top of the window to the floor. The usually have pleats at the top – thereby giving them their draping effect. Drapes can even “puddle” on the bottom on the floor! Drapes are usually made to order.
Curtains are often unlined and fit to the window size. They are made from a variety of fabrics, weights of fabrics and a variety of colors and are less formal than drapes. Curtains are also made to GO OVER blinds or shades. Curtains can be bought in predesignated sizes.
In terms of blocking cold or heat … a lined drape could work as could a curtain over a blind or shade. Choose what works for your situation.
Cold Weather Solutions
"Plastication"
Glass will NOT stop the cold. Those of us who’ve lived in a frigid environment can probably remember playing with the frost that formed on the INSIDE of the window all while watching it snow outside. So, the big deal about stopping the cold from being transmitted to the inside of the house as far as windows go, it to “let” the window make SOME air cold – just not all the way into the house! One way to do that is to put a shrink plastic around the frame of the window as was shown in the video on the Windows Page.
The first two products have you seal the frame by creating a plastic barrier. If you wanted EXTRA protection, you could add a layer or two of bubble wrap ON the window BEFORE you seal the frame with one of the kits. The issue with the kits is that, if a nice day suddenly “comes out of nowhere”, you can’t just open the window. And if you add the bubble wrap, you won’t be able to see that beautiful snow fall – though you will still have some light in the room.
