Window film, magnetic windows or solar screens? (pool, Lowes, heat)

[vicket]

We have a 20 year old house (original single pane windows) in Houston. The southwest side is nearly all windows, which is great because it looks out onto the pool. BUT...the heat coming in is a big expense.
Which would be better: magnetic acrylic inserts (most expensive, but would insulate), window film (less expensive, but keeps the view and strengthens against breakage - hurricanes), or solar screens (least expensive, but darkens view)?
I've never lived in a hot climate before...and not sure which is best in the long run.
Any thoughts from people who have purchased these items?

[bls8195]

I am in the process of buying a home in Clear Lake, and trying to debate the same thing, window tint or solar screens. Hopefully we find out which is better.

[Itz]

I put solar film on my windows.. I would not go this route with such a large area.. you need two people minimum and it crinkles easily.
Maybe do a combination of both? Acrylic inserts on most then the film on a few?

[scuba steve]

What do solar screens normally go for per window? I have 3 sets (6 windows total) to do - windows are about 6 feet tall / about 3 feet wide + a window like a transom the same width / 18 inches tall.

[ShaneSA]

The solar film will cut out the heat and reduce the ultra violet rays. Get it done professionally. The solar screens would do the same but to keep the view, do solar film.

[vicket]

Originally Posted by ShaneSA

The solar film will cut out the heat and reduce the ultra violet rays. Get it done professionally. The solar screens would do the same but to keep the view, do solar film.

Thanks!

[scuba steve]

Yeah, thanks. Now I can go ahead and do something about my hot main bedroom without screwing up the aesthetics. I'm still going to take and post measurements before / after but that's my inner-engineer at work.

[ladybug07]

My in-laws just spent about 2K+ on solar shades for thier 100"+ window. She hates them. Yeah you can see the view, but she wishes she would have went with what she wanted originally. Something elses to look into is the Cellular shades. Trust me if the sun is beating in, they do block the heat. In our very first house we had a window that got the sun and turned our sons room into an oven. We put a Diamond cell cellular shade by Bali in and it was amazing the difference it made. My favorite fabric they have is the Northern Lights, Tinted Whites, and Storm...you can literally crincle it up and when you pull it to, it takes its shape back. Love them. We are ordering one (for sure) this week because its 15% off at Lowes. Still debating on the other windows.

[mrs.coach]

The solar film will cut out the heat and reduce the ultra violet rays. Get it done professionally. The solar screens would do the same but to keep the view, do solar film.

Agree wholeheartedly. Our Houston home had west facing windows along the back of the entire house....really lovely overlooking the pool and palm trees, but WOWIE was is hot in the summer. We had the entire back of the house professionally done, and went a grade up from the normal residential film to the commercial film darkness, and we did actually notice a decline in intensity of the heat, as well as the electric bills.

That being said, for some of the windows, we also had those 1" pleated black out shades installed under the 2" blinds, for additional protection. They were mostly left open for the view, but when we just plain needed a break from the sunlight/heat, we closed them up and the room immediately cooled off.

[jeanne211]

Definitely Solar screen for protective film from UVRays & heat too.

Jeanne