Have you been exposed to ridiculously warm temperatures inside your place? The type of windows and glass in your home can greatly contribute to the temperature inside. Here’s why.
Installing an air conditioning unit isn’t the only way to cool your place down.
“Up to almost 90% of heat gained [in the home] can come through the windows,” says Christine Evans from Stegbar Windows and Doors.
Bi-fold windows can be folded open to provide a large opening area and allow more ventilation into your home. Picture: Stegbar
When building or renovating, Christine says it’s essential to consider the glass you use in your windows and doors. “Advances in glass technology mean that today’s glass is designed to be energy efficient to help reduce power bills and increase the comfort of your home.”
3 types of glass to consider
If you want to keep your home cooler, consider installing these types of glass during your renovation:
- Toned glass: Acts like ‘sunglasses’ against the glare and reduces the heat entering a home.
- Low E glass: This glass has a transparent low emissivity coating that reflects heat.
- Insulated glazing units: Commonly known as ‘double-glazing’, two pieces of glass are used with a gap in the middle, which can be filled with air or gas to provide the ultimate glazing solution. Use with low E glass for greater insulation and toned glass for windows that face the summer sun.
Selecting the right style of the window will also ensure you maximise ventilation and air flow at your place.
“Louvres allow a breeze to flow through the home and they’re extremely popular in tropical climates like Queensland and coastal areas to let in the afternoon ocean breeze,” says Christine. “The beauty of louvres is that you can control the strength of the breeze allowed through.”
Louvres are practical and stylish – you can open them up part way or all the way to allow the breeze to flow in however you wish. Picture: Stegbar
Christine’s 5 top tips for keeping a home cool in summer
- Install modern glass like toned or low E glass to reduce the amount of heat entering your home.
- Select a window style that will allow greater air flow – louvres are a great option for tropical climates.
- During the day, close blinds or curtains to keep the heat out and consider investing in blackout curtains.
- In the early evening as temperatures cool, open windows, blinds and heavy curtains to let the cool air in.
- Take advantage of passive design – orient the home to take advantage of cooling breezes, and invest in effective shading like eaves and trees to reduce summer heat entering the home.
As temperatures cool in the early evening in summertime, be sure to open up all your windows and doors to let cool air in. Picture: Stegbar
Article repurposed from How glass can help to keep your house cool by Kristy Barratt. Author at realestate.com.au.
