Retractable awning will help keep you cool

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/05/2011 (5287 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Q: We have a large picture window and French doors off our family room that face south. We just moved into the home last spring and the heat in the summer is unbearable in this area of our house. Do you have any suggestions that can help cool down this space? We would like to avoid curtains so we don’t lose our view. We would also like to find a screen that will fit on the French doors.

A: This is the time of year that I receive a lot of inquires for suggestions that will add some relief to the heat in our homes.  I have a few suggestions that should help you out. Installing an aluminum or retractable fabric awning over your French doors is one way to keep direct sunlight from beating into your home.  

There is a see-through radiant barrier window insulator called the In’Flector. This so-called screen allows light to enter your home through small holes, however it reflects sunlight away from your windows, reducing the heat allowed in to your home through your windows.

For more information call the manufacturer toll-free at 1-866-910-0699. This would be ideal for your French doors.  There are also retractable screens available that are designed for French doors. You may even consider consulting a landscaping professional for suggested tree choices and locations that will shade these areas of your home.

Q: We have a one-year-old metal door on our front entranceway with white vinyl trim around the glass window that has turned yellow where the sun hits it. Is there any way to clean the yellow off and prevent it from discoloring again?

A: All metal doors when purchased have a primer coat unless otherwise specified. The plastic trim on steel doors will turn yellow if not painted within six months. This is caused by the ultra violet rays of the sun. Once the trim has yellowed you cannot clean it. The only remedy is to paint it.  

To finish steel doors, first wash my Shell Busey Home Cleaning Formula using a scotch brite pad (not steel wool). Wash both sides and rinse with clear water. Remove the hardware, select your color and paint with a best quality exterior semi-gloss acrylic latex. It’s important to note that I do not recommend an oil/alkyd paint since it will not resist the expansion and contraction of the metal caused by the sun. This will cause the paint to crack and peel.

Shell Busey can be heard every Saturday morning from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on Winnipeg’s CJOB 680. Go to www.TheHouseSmart.com for more home improvement tips and information.