| Jul 13, 2007 @ 11:20 PM |
Sun Reflector
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koyaanisqatsi
Posts: 115
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Does anyone know the sun reflector shields you put in the car windshield?
I would like to craft a window shield out of the same material to hang from the windows in my home.
Can you buy rectangular pieces of that stuff? If so, where from? Ideally I'd like to cover all my windows to keep the sun out during the day and keep the whole apartment cooler.
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 12:37 AM |
Sun Reflector |
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waterfire
Posts: 2,905
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Only thing I can think of is do a search for a wholesaler
OT
A friend of mine who is into theory once made a proto type window that reflected light depending on settings. Since you are scientist you might be able to do something like that n your own.
*hmm maybe refracts would be a better way of saying it 
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 9:29 AM |
Sun Reflector
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koyaanisqatsi
Posts: 115
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LOL -- materials science and fabrication is about the farthest thing away from what I do. Did. I really don't know anything about that stuff.
It would be reflect. Reflection is rebounding of an EM wave from an optical surface. Refraction is the direction bending of an EM wave from an optical surface. An optical surface being the interface between two media with differing indexes of refraction. If the waves reflected from my window, they'd still enter the apartment --- just hit a different spot on the wall! :)
Oh jeez. Played Quake 4 until 5:30am last night. My head is spinning..... Kept thinking I was going to finish the game. Finally gave up at 5:30. Still think I'm close. Just couldn't stay awake. Ugh.
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 10:59 AM |
Sun Reflector |
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sealacamp
Posts: 3,136
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Survival blankets are made of that same material. It is not stiff though so you would have to put some sort of backing on it. I am not sure how you would do that but I have a few ideas. I don't think it would be anything less than a pain in the butt though. So you would have to really want to do it badly to make some for your house. I could not tell you where to buy that material with the backing already adhered to the reflective surface.
I found some for you just in case:
Survival blanket
Survival Blanket
Survival Blanket
I hope that will do, or at least give you some ideas.
S
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 3:03 PM |
Sun Reflector
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Kirkish
Posts: 162
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Using that blanket, one could fairly easily fabricate something workable:
thick cardboard box for backing, thin foam for another layer of insulation, and then your reflective blanket. Pre-fold the cardboard before applying glue so it can be stored easily.
I can see doing this, we needed something similar with windows that overcame the a/c when the sun was in the right position. *laughing* We used sheets until an awning could be put up.
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 7:37 PM |
Sun Reflector |
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koyaanisqatsi
Posts: 115
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Survival blanket and cardboard is *perfect*; just what the A/C doctor ordered.
Many thanks from one DYI to two other DYI's. :-)
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 8:35 PM |
Sun Reflector
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eastham
Posts: 6,318
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A friend of mine in DC had polaroid films attached to his south facing windows. They helped considerably. I know that most people in Palm Springs have their cars retrofitted with a film on the windows. Anyway, 3M makes them...here's a link.
Window Films
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| Jul 14, 2007 @ 11:34 PM |
Sun Reflector |
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BandTMom
Posts: 28,234
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And people in Oklahoma use aluminum foil.
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| Jul 17, 2007 @ 10:48 PM |
Sun Reflector
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waterfire
Posts: 2,905
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Oh my friend told me it was based on polarization, my bad for not explaining how he built it.
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| Jul 20, 2007 @ 10:02 AM |
Sun Reflector |
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koyaanisqatsi
Posts: 115
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Eastham, thanks for the link, but anytime a business asks you to call them for a "quote", you know it's going to be a bit pricey. :) I ordered the emergency blanket from amazon for $3.95, and the cardboard will be free. :)
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