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Why don't we use awnings anymore (2022)

(thecraftsmanblog.com)
413 points samclemens | 3 comments | 15 Oct 24 22:11 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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AlexErrant ◴[16 Oct 24 00:06 UTC] No.41854344[source]▶
The "Technology Connections" youtube channel recently discussed awnings too. (And it had more or less the same message as this blog.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhbDfi7Ee7k

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malfist ◴[16 Oct 24 00:54 UTC] No.41854624[source]▶
And that has way more details than this. The only why supplied here is "we forgot" and "AC"
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bsder ◴[16 Oct 24 05:21 UTC] No.41855852[source]▶
I suspect it's not really "forgot". I suspect it's "awnings require ongoing maintenance".
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dghughes ◴[16 Oct 24 10:48 UTC] No.41857618[source]▶
Also windows now have low-emissivity (low E) coatings. The coating varies light transmission depending on the sun angle. When the sun is high in summer some visible light but more UV and IR is reflected. When the sun is low in the winter more light can pass through. Pretty much what an awning does.
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1. amonon ◴[16 Oct 24 13:03 UTC] No.41858617[source]▶
This is very cool. How recent is this? We purchased an older house with an HOA that discourages awnings. I had been considering petitioning for one but a low-emissivity coating would be easier.
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2. HackeNewsFan234 ◴[16 Oct 24 13:28 UTC] No.41858828[source]▶
Low-e windows coatings have been around since the 70's. They have gotten better over the decades, but I can't say how much they've changed. When buying new windows, this is a very common and cheap option.
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3. sumtechguy ◴[16 Oct 24 18:09 UTC] No.41861941[source]▶
I got a new house recently. The default windows were pretty good already. My wife still did not like the amount of light coming in. I still wanted some. So we compromised. We bought reflective window tinting. About 500 bucks to do the front of the house. Will do the back next. Easily reduced the temp in house by quite a bit.

The other thing the builder did foam insulation of the garage doors and walls. Easily 20F difference from my previous house in the same area. Reflective ridged insulation in the attic too. My old house 110 easily, in the summer. It is basically the same temp as the outside now. Cost for the AC is basically half what my pervious house was. I would go for awnings at this point as it is basically one of the few things left I could realistically do. But HOA...