Insider Secrets Magazine by ecoMaster

TIP
17
We are growing a grapevine
over our pergola in order to
keep it beautifully shaded in
the summer which makes
space much more usable. We
have fitted stainless steel wires
through the pergola rafters, to
hold up the grapevine as they
spread over the structure.
SEASONS
PERGOLAS PROVIDE
PROTECTION FROM
THE SUN. HOW
GOOD IS YOURS?
youtu.be/qbl0PR6YZSc
Previously we used shade cloth, however
as it ages it gets darker and less and less
light comes through, making the home quite
dark. By taking the shade cloth off in front
of the glazing of the house, it has made a
big difference to the amount of light in the
home, and even though some shade cloth
remains on one side, when the grapevines
cover the entire pergola, the cloth shall then
be removed.
TIP #18
SEASONS
50 SHADES
OF SHADING!
With summer just around the corner, we looked at a good
way, a better way and the best way to shade our windows
from the sun, so let’s make a start.
As mentioned previously, we discussed that the best way
to shade the glass is away from the window with as much
ventilation as possible behind it. Using light colours is ideal
for shading as dark colours radiate a lot more heat into the
home, especially if they are right up against the windows.
One exception to this rule can be roller shutters. If they are
insulated on the inside with a material like a polystyrene,
then they can be quite effective.
Renshade fitted to the glass with velcro dots is also quite
effective, or even in frames if you want to make them more
robust. They work quite well and you can see from the dark
side to the light side. But how it is fitted is more important.
youtu.be/IW--09-yW7k
When it comes to cellular blinds,
how it is fitted to the window is
more important than the number
of cells. Provided they’re tightfitting
to the rear of the window
they can be effective and there’s
also a huge variety of those now.
Last but not least, drapes can
work quite well as long as there
is an effective or invisible pelmet.
In winter, the air is warmed and
rises, flowing into the room, it
cools down rapidly as it passes
behind the curtains and down the
glass. Installing pelmets over the
top of curtains ensures that the
air retains some of its warmth
and it is falling in front of the
curtains and not being chilled by
the glass. In summer the exact
opposite happens, ensuring that
hot air against the glass is not
pumped into the room.
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