Heat from southern exposure
 

We have a bay window (with 4 individual windows) that faces south, and the room retains the heat from the sun all day--and into the night (even now at almost 10:30 p.m., and with a box fan on the past 3 hours). We installed plantation shutters, and those have not really helped. We had the a/c co. verify that the air flow is correct for the entire house, including that room's vents.

I called the window manufacturer to ask how we can verify these are, in fact, Low-E windows. The receptionist told me they don't have any way to really verify this, except to hold a lighter outside the window (and see 2 flames) or a piece of white paper outside (and see green or blue tinting). Shouldn't there be a way to verify these are Low-E windows? I asked the Warranty Dept., and they referred me to the manufacturer.

We read the TOTV posts about window tinting, and don't know if that would help, plus it may void the window warranty. We have considered getting "cell shades" (accordion-like), but don't know if they would help. We have also thought about getting lined drapes; however, this is the only window in the front of our house and we like to be able to see out of it.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

A retractable awning is a great way to block the sun and not have the awning always there. Neighbors are very happy with pricing and installation from AwnAir.

Tinting will help signifigantly. The cellular (honeycomb) shades may too. But We found the tinting was dramatic and had plantation shutters which worked well in keeping the heat out once the tinting was done.
good luck!!!

Are awnings allowed on the front of a house under the Covenants?

I have a fixed awning on my front bedroom window which faces the south, but have never had problems with it overheating with or without the awning. The sun must move during the day so that the front of the house is not always in the sun.

Window tinting
 

I have had great and dramatic results from window tinting.

The problem with heat build up is probably not as much due to your window as it is to the expanse of roof above that room. I had a similar problem and a friend of mine who's a builder told me to call SECO, our local electric company, to find our what they recommend for the heat build up problem. They gave me to their home energy efficiency dept. The SECO rep in that dept said they recommend a radiant barrier in the attic. They futher told me attic fans do little to nothing to dissipate the heat. They also gave me the name of the installation company they recommend because SECO (a cooperative) knows this company does the installation correctly.
Energy Home Shield
The whole attic installation cost me $2,000, but it made an immediate and huge difference in lowering the temperature in the whole house and especially in that sun exposed room. SECO said the energy savings would take about 6 years to recover the cost. So, if you intend to to stay in your house at least that long, I concluded it's best to spend the money now, rather than waste it on dozens of other methods that in the end prove ineffective.

You'll be glad for the warmth in winter. Planting trees strategically, southwest of the window would block sun if that is possible on your lot.

That's the solution I would choose if it's possible!
:thumbup:

we use insulated curtains up north most of our windows are south...keeps sun out in summer and cold in the winter nights..

I called the ARC and they said awnings ARE approved.

Does anyone know of a house with awnings installed in the newer areas of TV? I'd like to see how they look.

(A tree would be ideal, but we didn't bring our rakes to TV. :D )

How does one contact the ARC and what's the acronym stand for?

ARC = Architectural Review Committee
 

The contact info for the Architectural Review Committee, AKA "Community Standards" is available at Village Community Development Districts under the Departments pull-down menu.

This is a late reply, as I just saw your post from Sept.

If you drive East on Pinellas from Buena Vista, there is a home on the right that has an awning over an East facing Window. It is one of the first homes that you will see on the right before the Gilchrist pool.

We have noticed that it is an adjustable awning. So it must be on a bedroom window. It seems to give more coverage in the am, then is retracted about halfway in the pm.

Looks nice too.