Any Such Thing as a Portable or Removable Awning?

Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 16:48

Hi all,

I'm currently renting and the front bedroom (mine) faces the rising sun. By 9am, it's already well over 10 degrees hotter than the rest of the house, and only gets worse during the day. I installed (in a removable fashion) a box-style A/C, but what I'd like to do is set up something so that the sun doesn't pound the front, all-glass wall.

I'm currently looking at salvage yards. I'd prefer not having to drill into the actual dbl-brick, but have it secured via screw-in ground spikes, if possible. The only issue is that we do get a fair amount of wind at times.

Open to any & all ideas. I even thought of hanging a white shower curtain from the gutter (yes, I'm that desperate) but the tacky-factor stopped me.

Thanks for your ideas.

~G

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Davo1111 on 22/10/2018 - 16:58
    +1

    bunnings sells shade cloth (prepackaged) for significantly cheaper than the stuff on the roll. Use plastic spring clamps and attach it to the gutter.

    Or get some large stakes and attach those to the garden outside your window. then hang the shade cloth around it. kind of like this

    • Randxyz123 on 22/10/2018 - 19:39

      This. They'll have something for renters.

    • Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 21:41

      The overhang on this place is non-existent— just end of roof then gutter.

      I thought of stakes & shade cloth, but yeah, it would be nice to not block the view entirely. I think if I could set an awning extending about 3 mtr out above the window, it would block 90% and still allow you to see out when you wished.

      • Davo1111 on 22/10/2018 - 23:26
        +1

        you dont have to run it to the ground. Fold the shade cloth in half, clamp it to the gutter, and let it hang down 1m like washing on a clothes line.

  • John Kimble on 22/10/2018 - 17:00

    Alfoil on the glass? Or did you want to be able to see through them?

    • Davo1111 on 22/10/2018 - 17:23

      can confirm alfoil works for blocking a lot of heat (but light too, assuming you cover the cracks). Also need to watch tape/blutack, as it breaks down quick from the sun, and can be a pita to remove. When we left our last place that had sun issues, i spent hours with a razor blade removing the "packing tape" from the window. Methalyted spirits didnt work with so much residue on the glass.

      If I move into a place and have to do it again, i'm going to buy foam sheets (tape the edges so they're a bit stronger) and just pressure fit them in.

    • Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 21:43

      Foil applied to the outside might work and it may come to that. I just wish this window didn't face the street!

      • John Kimble on 22/10/2018 - 22:07

        Inside would make more sense?

        You could try and fashion an insert made from cardboard/Styrofoam/chipboard and wrap that in foil, you could then put in the sill take it out at your leisure (almost like the car ones) but yes, doesn't look great and there would be zero view.

        • Geekomatic on 23/10/2018 - 01:11

          No, inside won't help. It's the sun hitting the glass and wall making it scorching hot that's the trouble. I need to stop that. Foil outside would reflect it & might help, but an awning would be best…I wouldn't mind leaving the lower windows uncovered. It's just a weird overall situation to address.

          There's also no sill to speak of— it's glass, below glass side-ways sliding windows. I had a guy build a frame to hold the box A/C— not in these pictures, but it's in the right-hand slider area, closest to the front door (we just took the window/screen out). I did use insulated foam board above the A/C to help keep the heat out and fill that void inside (plywood outside).

          Photos of windows here:

          https://imgur.com/a/PRhoLOG

          • John Kimble on 23/10/2018 - 11:05

            @Geekomatic: Yeah, but if you put it on the outside it will be exposed to the elements…

          • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 21:59
            +1

            @Geekomatic: Oh those are huge windows. Unfortunately alfoil on the outside runs into a lot of issues (elements, wind, visually, etc). They should still be marginally effective on the inside - sunshine is radiant heat so if you can reflect it instead of letting it hit the curtains/inside, a big portion of the heat will be reflected along with it.

  • subywagon on 22/10/2018 - 17:17

    I wonder if car tint would work? Could try really high rating like mirror tint or something? It's easy to remove with a heat gun when it's time to move.

  • subywagon on 22/10/2018 - 17:24

    You could ask the real-estate for permission to attach one to the wall? Or otherwise you could make a frame with a solid base with shade cloth of some sort attached to it.

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 22/10/2018 - 19:31

      I just did this. Our LL agreed to pay for the blind if I installed it. Easy job and works a treat. We just got a Bunnings retractable sun blind.

      • Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 21:39

        Which did you buy and how hard was it to install?

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 23/10/2018 - 05:32

          It was easy to install, I just needed a hammer drill. This one:https://www.bunnings.com.au/windoware-outdoor-roll-up-blind-2400mm-x-2100mm-graphite_p1262084

          I initially offered to pay for the blind myself. It was less than $100, but he kindly agreed to cover it.

          • Geekomatic on 23/10/2018 - 17:19

            @o53djz7qTPY4der: Can't do it.

            The thin, metal window frame is directly under the overhang, which is that cheap, thin whatever board. There's no brick to drill into.

    • Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 21:44

      We deal with the owner directly. They're not into investing in this place, unfortunately.

  • Seraphin7 on 22/10/2018 - 18:32

    Garden umbrella?

    • Geekomatic on 22/10/2018 - 21:43

      Too small + wind might just destroy it.

      Thanks though.

  • hawkeye on 22/10/2018 - 22:12
    +1

    What have the neighbors done

    • Geekomatic on 23/10/2018 - 01:14

      Both sides are holiday homes. They have no awnings either but plenty of $$$$ to run non-stop A/C when they are there, I guess…

  • samjacksonau on 23/10/2018 - 10:49
    +1

    We have used RenShade for last 2 summers and it is simply awesome, reduces heat at least 85%. Doesn't look great but definitely works!

    I am actaully looking for better (and permanent) solution, especially for 2nd floor windows.

    There are few Videos on YouTube.

    Bought from here, There are few Videos on YouTube:
    https://ecomasterstore.com.au/products/renshade

    • John Kimble on 23/10/2018 - 11:04

      Pffft, just pierce holes in the alfoil method I mentioned above :p

      • samjacksonau on 23/10/2018 - 16:59
        +1

        I also initially thought it is just a foil but no, there is a non-conducting material between 2 foils. This works very well and I was astonished with the results.

        When I was taking measurements of the window, sun was shinning really bright & I have double glazed window. After sticking the sheets, room was was non-bearable to pleasant and simply ceiling fan was enough for 85-90% of time during the summer.

        There was little issue of visibility, but we were happy 10 windows were covered under $200 and one hour of measuring & sticking sheets.

        They don't look great from outside sadly.

        • Geekomatic on 23/10/2018 - 17:13

          So, does this apply inside or outside? It looks like inside only from the photos?

          Ta

          NM— just found the videos— cheers

          • samjacksonau on 23/10/2018 - 17:39

            @Geekomatic: Inside and very easy to crease like aluminum foil, so handle with care. You may need additional welcro as provided pieces run-out quickly.

            • HighAndDry on 23/10/2018 - 22:01
              +1

              @samjacksonau:

              welcro

              I don't know if this is a specialised variant of velcro or you're just related to Anton Yelchin….

            • Geekomatic on 23/10/2018 - 23:16

              @samjacksonau: One last thing, because I wrote to the company and had no reply as yet:

              The info page says this:

              *** NOTE These rolls have random creasing in the fabric. See photos below. This product is sold on the basis that there are no returns due to creasing and has been discounted accordingly.
              If your requirement for Renshade is high visibility and aesthetics are important - this may not be the right product for you. ***

              There are no "photos below" to see. If you bought yours with this same stipulation, is it just cosmetic creasing or something really horrible? It's only a $12 discount, but seems like quite a disclaimer?

              Ta

              • John Kimble on 24/10/2018 - 01:31

                @Geekomatic: Perhaps they mean "above". The 8th and 9th photos appears to be what they are referring to (my best guess).

  • Davo1111 on 23/10/2018 - 14:17

    ……ok so the pics should have been posted originally.

    Lattice and/or plants are your only choice really. Thicker curtains

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join