Reduce sun glare at home with these approaches

Reduce sun glare at home with these approaches

With the chilly start to 2024, many people will be counting down the days to warmer weather. However, with the unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change, some may also look towards the summer with trepidation.

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With the 40°C summer of 2022 not far from memories, the Guardian has reported that sales of air conditioning units have risen by 500%. However, for most homeowners, air conditioning units are treating the symptom, not the main problem.

Sun streaming into the house through windows can quickly heat your home to intolerable degrees on hot days and even damage your eyesight. Here are some ideas to reduce the effect of sun glare on your home and make sunny days more comfortable.

Awnings and Exterior Shades

Awnings and shades are a good way of allowing natural light into your home on a sunny day without the sun hitting the glass of your window and creating solar glare. They come in a huge range of styles, can be colourful, and many are mechanised or automatic to make positioning easy.

A Brise Soleil

Brise soleil, such as those provided by Alu Systems, are a stylish, architectural way to reduce solar gain on a building. Brise soleil, also known as solar shades, do this using horizontal, vertical or lattice panels around windows. While it’s common to find brise soleil above windows, some buildings are entirely covered in brise soleil in ornate patterns.

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Plants

Plants around a window, internally or externally, can really help to reduce solar gain. Trees planted outside the home can greatly increase shade and create a tranquil oasis on hot days. The Moors knew this, and that is why their palaces in arid southern Spain are always surrounded by lush extravagant gardens, including shady courtyards (as well as astonishingly beautiful and ornate brise soleil).

Some house plants also love heat and sun, like jade plants and cacti. Therefore, putting these types of plants around windows can be a win-win as they will provide shade internally.

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