How to Block the Sun From Hitting the House

The best way to keep the interior of your home cool without air conditioning is to block the sun's rays from hitting it. Although a new building on the sun-drenched side of your house will completely block the sun, that's not always practical or possible. Instead, use nature's air conditioning to shield the exterior of the house and a bit of interior design to stop the sun from entering the interior of the house.

Shade and evergreen trees
Shrubbery and climbing vines
Window awnings
Heavy drapes or blinds

Instructions

- 1
  Plant shade and evergreen trees on the south and west side of your house. For instant shade, hire a landscaping company to plant mature specimens.
- 2
  Plant shrubbery or climbing ivy to shade the walls and windows on the south and west sides of your house. Although the sun will still hit the roof, the foliage will block some rays from hitting the walls and windows, where it then radiates into the interior.
- 3
  Install awnings, louvers or exterior blinds to shade windows baked by the hot afternoon sun and the early morning sun if you live in an extremely hot climate.
- 4
  Hang heavy, light-stopping drapes or blinds on the interior of the windows. These will block the sun's light and most of its heat from entering the interior of the house.
- 5
  Build a taller structure to the south or west of your house, such as a garage, to completely block the sun.

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