Kitchen foil on windows in full sun

[WindyMillerDrinksCider]

I've put kitchen foil on the inside of double glazed windows at the front of the house to keep the heat out. It's really effective because they get full sun. However, Google says it can crack the glass because of the heat so it should be put on the outside.
Does anyone have experience of this either way - cracking or no cracking?

Thank you OP I did not know this

I sellotaped a large thermal blanket to the outside of the south facing windows. It's light so I just used masking tape and it held up fine. I probably look like a crazy person. But it made my living room feel much cooler and there's a lovely golden light diffusing through it so..

IKEA do these paper blinds for £3 which have a sticky part on top so they're easy to attach to most windows preferably on the outside.
You can cut them to the correct width using a bread knife or any sharp knife.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/schottis-pleated-blind-white-20242282/

Obviously won't last long when the rain arrives but a good short term option.

Done this for years and it’s never cracked. I wet the glass with a damp sponge first, apply the foil and then press over it with the sponge again so there’s no gaps or bubbles.

I would be more than happy to apply foil to the outside of my living room windows, but I don’t think the neighbours opposite would be very happy.

I think ceiling fans are literally the best purchase we have ever made. Theu are extremely effective and cost less than £100 each

I've thought about using foil but was worried the reflected sunlight might start a fire in someone else's house or garden.

Or would the sunlight need to be magnified to burn anything?

I agree that it makes you sensible, unlike so many on MN who are whining about the heat and demanding that "someone should do something".

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FXX5FSN5/ref=sspa_mw_detail_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=YNUlONZqs5&sp_cr=ZAZ

Brown paper honeycomb.

My son put the pipe out the window through some builders type plastic sheet and taped it all up. Working very well. As you say it's occasionally needed

Not cracking but completely ruining the window with permanent water marks ive never been able to remove. You have to put the foil on cardboard and then attached the cardboard on the exterior of the window (if you put it inside the heat will be trapped between the window and cardboard)

Ceiling fans are better for the environment than AC AND they keep the insects away. Win, win. Sadly I don’t have either!

If this is a new normal then buildings should be fitted with lovely wooden shutters on the outside of windows. Picturesque on most houses but not all, I suppose!

They sound good, have you got them in most rooms? Do they do smaller ones for smaller bedrooms?

You can get ones which come with a socket fitting on Amazon

GOODEA 81cm Ceiling Fan with... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GT8ZPSGW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

my MIL bought this one and says it’s made loads of difference to her small bedroom in her bungalow!

I had no idea (aka not really thought) about how easy it would be to pop an E27 fitting fan in our dining room light.

Thank you for the suggestion.

We have a breeze and it is so cool outside.

How do you use this? Thanks

Just stick it it the window to keep heat out

I have a blanket thrown over the outside of my back door.

Sorry forgot to reply. Yes as the poster said above, stick it to the windows. Apparently the honeycomb shaped paper is excellent for deflecting the heat.

HANDY TIP!!!

I’ve just taken my foil down after a week (I’d only secured it to the glass with a spray of water), and the windows were covered in honeycomb shaped marks identical to the back of the foil. I’m assuming it was some sort of plastic coating or adhesive from the foil.

I scrubbed for ages and it just wouldn’t come off, so as a last ditch attempt I sprayed a little hairspray onto the marks, quickly polished them with some kitchen roll, then scrubbed again with a sponge scourer and washingup liquid. It came off immediately!

So to summarise - if the foil marks your windows, try hairspray!

Hope it doesn't mark too much, we have put it up on DM's hospital windows!!

Even north facing it was too hot when she moved in last Friday.