My solar screen install turned into a 110 degree nightmare

I was skeptical about spending $400 on those roll-down solar screens from a local shop in Phoenix. Figured regular blinds would do the job. Six months later my west-facing living room hit 95 degrees by 3pm even with the AC running. Finally bit the bullet and had them installed last week. Now my thermostat stays at 78 and I can actually sit in that room after noon. Has anyone else found a cheaper alternative that actually works for desert heat?

3 comments

3 Comments

brooke_jones4d ago

harperp24 you said "pizza oven" and that's exactly how my place felt before I caved. So you tried the window film too? I was looking at that stuff at Home Depot but it looked kinda janky. How long did it actually take before it started peeling off? I'm wondering if maybe I just got a bad batch or if that stuff is always garbage in this kind of heat. Because I'd love to save some cash but not if I'm just gonna be redoing it every month.

young.thomas4d ago

@harperp24 nailed it. Tried the same film trick on my west windows, lasted about ten days before the edges curled up and let all that heat pour back in. Solar screens hurt the wallet but nothing else holds up in this Phoenix oven.

harperp244d ago

Had the exact same thing happen with my south facing windows last summer. Honestly felt like I was living in a pizza oven. Tried those cheap reflective film things from the hardware store and they peeled off after two weeks. Ngl the solar screens are worth every penny even if they hurt at first. Tbh there's no real shortcut for that kind of heat, you just have to pay up or move to a basement.