Making Exterior Sunshades for Skylights
A passive solar idea other homeowners might find handy!
We had a week of weather in the 90’sF and I knew I had to get my Sunshades completed for my house.
I put in 2 west facing-opening skylights on my home to be vents to release the heat rising to the top of the house. In the lower part of the house, we have east and north facing windows which catch the breeze and send the heat upward and out the vents. We also have an electronic air filter fan which runs 24/7 keeping constant air movement in the house.
open-skylight-without-exterior-sun-shade
On hot days that leave the upper story of the house in sunshine all day and as a potential heat collector. I wanted something that allowed for the skylights to be open to let heat out and also reflect the sun.
So I built a simple frame
- layout-of-canvas-sized-to-frame
I cut the canvas to fit the frame
cutting-canvas
Then stapled the canvas to the frame.
I built a second frame and made and open box which I could just set in position over the skylight – the frame of the skylight holding it in place.
exterior-sun-shade-in-position
The whole thing was very light weight and I was able to carry it up the ladder, over the trellis and set it in place alone, without assistance. I did not have to ruin my new roofing material by pounding it in place.
Although we cannot see Mars so close to the moon or the stars as we climb into bed – the heat release and relief has made a remarkable difference. The room still has plenty of natural light with the white color also.
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