Blotting the Sun Out of Windows

[Spinny]

Need to temporarily stop the solar gain throught my bifolds to keep the temperature of the floor down while LVT is laid.

 

Looking at window film ? Wouldn't it best to put this on the outside though ? Silver side outwards ?

[marmic]

anything to reflect will probably help and yes outside  - but better to stop sun hitting glass at all.   Brise soleil can take many forms. if only temporary a cheap gazebo outside maybe?  but may be worth looking at something more permanent if solar gain in these heatwaves is an issue.

[mistake_not]

An option (not saying it's good) is silver foil. Mist spray the glass with water from a sprayer and it will stick perfectly. Just make sure you don't scratch anything.

[Spinny]

What about using radiator foil/insulation such as this ?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Radiator-Foil-Reflector-Roll-Metres/dp/B0FHX24FP8/ref=asc_df_B0FHX24FP8?mcid=105a35c7f1383e838b6a3496fbcbce8b&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=768395591032&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18110053046630382234&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006502&hvtargid=pla-2439067162462&psc=1&hvocijid=18110053046630382234-B0FHX24FP8-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

 

(I think any permanent solution will mean looking up what glass we had in the bifolds and rooflights. I thought it was UV limiting but really can't remember. We havn't got our electric roller blinds in yet and not sure how much effect they will have.)

Edited July 3 by Spinny

[Russdl]

3 hours ago, Spinny said:

 

Need to temporarily stop the solar gain throught my bifolds to keep the temperature of the floor down while LVT is laid.

 

 

If it’s just temporary then an old sheet will do, anything that will stop the sun hitting the glass will do. 
 

Long term, the sheet is probably not the best option. 
 

[Spinny]

Just now, Russdl said:

Long term, the sheet is probably not the best option. 

Indeed, although we did have thoughts about putting hooks into the overhang fascia and having a triangular shade sail.

Might be a pain if a wind gets up though ?

[Russdl]

If you make it easily put up-able and take down-able it shouldn’t be a massive issue. Big heat (strong sun) normally coincides with high pressure which normally coincides with slack wind. 
 

At least that used to be the norm. 
 

[Super_Paulie]

[marmic]

just put some cheap car sun shades on windows (from halfords - cheaper than amazon etc!)  - temporary measure until we decide how to build brise soleil.  not going to block it completely but should make some difference.  if they stay up!

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

A chuffing tarpaulin.

 

There, I said it.

 

Have the installers asked you to do this? 

[Iceverge]

Whatever you do it's better to do it outside the glazing. 

 

I've heard story of sealed glazing units cracking when they are blocked on the inside.

[Spinny]

On 04/07/2026 at 13:31, Nickfromwales said:

Have the installers asked you to do this? 

Yes

 

Have a laugh at the pic. NASA operation sun screen - see pic - £10 off Amazon but too flimsy to tape to the outside in the breeze.

Not sure it was doing that much but today was cooler. A bit like that foil they wrap round people with hypothermia.

[Spinny]

Chat GPT...

(Gonna be above that every afternoon from Wed through to the middle of next week. FFS. How long does it take to lay a floor ? About 6 months. 2 Weeks work and 5.5 months playing the hokey cokey.)

 

Quote

For Amtico Signature, Spacia, Form, First and Safety ranges, the installation guidelines state:

• Ambient room temperature: 18°C to 27°C.
• The flooring, adhesive and subfloor must all be stabilised within this range for at least 24 hours before installation, throughout installation, and for at least 24 hours afterwards. If the materials have been stored outside this range, Amtico recommends extending acclimatisation to 48 hours.

So if the room temperature is above 27°C, it is outside Amtico's specified installation conditions. In practice, installers should cool the space (using air conditioning or ventilation) and wait until the temperature is back within the 18–27°C range before laying the floor.

If your question relates to underfloor heating, that's a separate limit:

• The subfloor surface temperature (at the adhesive interface) must never exceed 27°C. The heating should be switched off 48 hours before installation and remain off for 48 hours after installation.

 

[torre]

Have you also covered your roof light?

[MikeGrahamT21]

14 hours ago, Spinny said:

Chat GPT...

(Gonna be above that every afternoon from Wed through to the middle of next week. FFS. How long does it take to lay a floor ? About 6 months. 2 Weeks work and 5.5 months playing the hokey cokey.)

 

 

seems even manufacturers are going to need to retest or reformulate their products for our planets ever increasing temperatures

[Square Feet]

I read this on the BBC the other day. I take no responsibility for it scratching your windows if you try it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260625-why-the-french-are-painting-chalk-on-their-windows

[SteamyTea]

On 10/07/2026 at 09:24, Square Feet said:

I take no responsibility for it scratching your windows if you try it.

Used to be called Windowlene and sold in Woolworths. Could always tell when a shop has closed down.