Texas Summer Design: Cooling Features to Consider
Texas is well-known for its intense heat and extended, sun-soaked days. If you’re designing a custom home in the Lone Star State, keeping your house cool isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Choosing smart design features during the planning phase of your custom home build can significantly reduce your energy bills, improve comfort, and maximize usability throughout the year. Willmark Custom Homes specializes in designing homes that are not only beautiful, but built to withstand the Texas heat. Here are some of the top cooling features to incorporate into your custom home.
Start with Smart Orientation
Where your home sits can make a big difference in how much heat it absorbs. Positioning your home with the sun in mind can help minimize its impact, especially during the summer. A north-south orientation keeps the harshest sun exposure on the east and west sides of your home, which can be shielded with landscaping or structural elements. Once you’ve determined the best direction for your home, you can improve its defense against the heat with these design elements.
Windows and Shading
Window placement can make a great difference in keeping your home cooler. Positioning larger windows on the north side will increase natural light without adding heat, while minimizing west-facing windows will protect the interior of your home against the stronger afternoon sunlight.
In addition to placement, the makeup of your home’s windows can bolster their heat-repelling effects. Choosing from the following windows and elements can significantly reduce indoor temperatures:
Low-E glass: Reflects heat while optimizing natural light.
Double or triple pane glass: Adds insulation and reduces thermal transfer.
Exterior shutters or solar screens: Especially useful for west-facing windows during the hottest part of the day.
Cool Roofing Materials
Windows may allow light through, but your home’s roof takes the brunt of the Texas sun. Choosing materials that reflect rather than absorb heat can make a huge difference in your home’s cooling abilities. Light colored shingles or metal roofing reflect more sunlight than traditional dark shingles, and radiant barriers (installed under the roof decking) help reflect heat away from the attic. Combine these materials with ridge and soffit vents or attic fans for maximum hot-air removal.
Outdoor Living Spaces that Provide Shade
Outdoor living is a way of life in Texas, but your outside space doesn’t have to be sweltering. Design your patio, porch, or deck to be a supportive oasis during the summer months. Covered patios and pergolas provide shade and extend your living space. Add elements like ceiling fans to keep bugs at bay and promote air circulation, and harness the power of natural shade from strategically planted trees or climbing plants to shield outdoor living spaces from direct sunlight. Retractable shades or awnings can provide further protection from the sun.
Insulation Upgrades
Concrete, brick, and stone are all common materials that help regulate indoor temperatures by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it at night. But there are other insulating measures you can incorporate into your custom home design to help bolster your home’s defenses:
Spray foam insulation: A popular and effective option for sealing gaps and providing thermal resistance.
ICF (insulated concrete forms): Great for both energy efficiency and durability.
Sealed attic systems: Helps stabilize indoor temperatures and reduce HVAC strain.
Cooling Interior Features
Interior comfort is crucial for Texas homeowners. When designing your home, be sure to consider simple, but powerful cooling features.
Ceiling fans in every room, especially bedrooms and living areas.
Light-colored finishes, like pale walls, ceilings, and flooring help to reflect light and heat.
Open floor plans with cross-ventilation allows for breezes to flow through the home.
Smart thermostats optimize energy use and maintain comfort throughout the day.
Let’s Design Your Home to Beat the Heat
Building a custom home in Texas requires thought to be given to both style and climate. Willmark Custom Homes offers floor plans with exactly that in mind, giving you a space that feels fresh and comfortable. Have your own design in mind? Contact us to discuss our custom design options to ensure your future home is fully equipped to perform in the Texas heat.
