the DE-greening of our Home....terrible Tuesday

                                                                  a moment in time...Tuesday at our Home

                                                                                     



Can you see the reflections in some of our Front windows; the casements that are opened reflect the houses across the street.  If the day had been brighter, your would see that the other panes looked Bronze colored.
10.5 years ago, we had this 'energy saving film' Bronze in color put on all of the Front and side windows. This home is situated SW geographically, so we get all of the afternoon sun. Being cost and energy conscious type of people, we choose film over awnings.  At the time, it seemed to be the most effective method. the roof line is too low to allow for awnings, we discovered.

The Bronze windows were so great, as you drove down the street during the day time, they reflected the world around our Home. They kept the heat down, without blocking the view. They, also, allowed us to be nosy and view what was happening outside without anyone being the wiser.

Sal noticed that some windows looked 'wavy' from the outside; not accepting my reply--"well, don't look at them when you're outside" and my having noticed that one of the static sections in the dining room [left front as you view the Home] was appearing 'misty' looking, we knew that it was a good bet that something needed to be done.  "Something needing to be done" around here MEANS money will be spent.

So, this morning, dawned cloudy, but dry. I intended to remove 6 screens to vacuum and replace hoping that the 'wavy' look was due to feathers & other outdoor debris that appears when the casements are opened.  WRONG  

Therefore at 9:50 a.m. , the decision was made to DE-green [ Bronze ] our windows by removing the film.
....3 63" x 33" dbl opening casement
....1 74" x 33" center opening / 3 section casement
....1 63" x 33" dbl opening, + center static casement 
....1 32" x 24" dbl opening casement
13 sections in all;  peeling off film; film that is expected to STAY in place; film that does NOT help us.

[After DE-greening, the 4 window sections that need to be replaced look like they have cataracts. LOL]

By 5:00 p.m.--all windows had been DE-greened [ Bronzed]; screens vacuumed; John's Lumber Rep. come & gone. With floor waiting to be washed; curtains waiting to be lowered; plants waiting to be repositioned;
table waiting to be uncluttered; we were really tired and ready to eat, or at least STOP.
Sal, the hero that he is, went to the Wildflower Restaurant and picked up some tuna melts; I did everything other than wash the floors; when he came back, the table was set, coffee made, & floors vacuumed,

Then, it hit us, no longer can we look out UN-observed during the day time--rats! no more being able to see what was happening under cover-so to speak..  We, being the college plus educated people that we are, already knew to keep curtains closed at the night if we did not want to be on exhibit.
Also, now we have another decision to make--do we re-Bronze--RE-GREEN our windows or do we choose to have 13 wooden blinds hung within each window section--the small window using only one blind.

Remember--- "things needing to be done" around this Home ALWAYS means money outlay; the most  cost effective choice will be made.
It looks like our Kitchen re-do will change from cabinet replace / reface to cabinet Painting-which I wanted in the first place--chalk up one for the Lady of the house.

So, should you find yourself deciding whether to install energy saving film or not---our film lasted 10.5 years on 8/ 33" w. window sections.  Just do not CALL us if you need to de-film your windows; that experience falls into the category of "been there--done that" & doesn't fall into the  'quality together time' either.   

At least, have a laugh on us.  We do it all the time.

   Tuesday...Over & Out