Insulate Your Glass Roof - Improve Comfort, Efficiency

[mkhuffman]

I've heard stories of people shattering their glass in the summer by putting a wrap/tint on it.

One of the first things I did was install a quality ceramic tint on the side windows and front window (the lightest shade available on the front). This noticeably "helped" the AC cool and maintain cool in the summers -- even on 100+ days.

I would curious about the heat reflecting back to the glass and potentially causing an issue with the integrity on the glass and the seal over time. Interesting idea but I have concerns.

The part that is stuck to the glass is not reflective, so I don't think this mod puts the glass at risk.

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[mkhuffman]

I guess every little bit helps but my own simple measurement - hand near windshield vs hand near roof glass - says that you're going to get a lot more benefit from keeping heat heat from being lost/gained from insulating the windshield rather than the roof.

Rather than use the hand method, I used a Milwaukee Tool Infrared Temperature Gun.

It measured a 8F improvement in temperature coming off the glass. Considering I can't insulate the windshield, and this mod is very easy and inexpensive, it is the way to go if you want a more comfortable cabin in extreme temperatures.

 

[SteveInBend]

Rather than use the hand method, I used a Milwaukee Tool Infrared Temperature Gun.

It measured a 8F improvement in temperature coming off the glass. Considering I can't insulate the windshield, and this mod is very easy and inexpensive, it is the way to go if you want a more comfortable cabin in extreme temperatures.

Luckily for me, I no longer live in the hot and humid climate of Virginia. In the winter I can just wear my beanie to keep my head warm and toasty.

 

[SeaGeo]

https://www.heatshieldstore.com/

 

[mkhuffman]

https://www.heatshieldstore.com/

Looks very nice. Since I am most concerned about cold temperatures, something that reflects the heat out of the truck isn't what I wanted to do. Could be great in the summer, though.

 

[SeaGeo]

Looks very nice. Since I am most concerned about cold temperatures, something that reflects the heat out of the truck isn't what I wanted to do. Could be great in the summer, though.

I shared primarily for the insulation aspect. I had a similar thought as you earlier this year, but didn't pursue it. I'm curious how much work the reflective nature does in this situation.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I really wish they would have had a sunroof that opens as well as a drop rear window in the R1T - like my Sportrac had.

Tesla really made this the standard, if they didn't invent it. And it's really done to make a big cut in manufacturing costs. Without a motorized moonroof assembly and associated interior trims and headliner, it's not only a significant cost in materials alone it's also a significant cut in time/labor on the assembly line. And, it brings in more light into the cabin, making it feel more spacious than it is. This gets them to cut cost while selling at premium level prices. From a business stand point, it's an clever no-brainer—if it wasn't, no one else would have replicated it and it wouldn't be a thing today (even in ICE cars).

The R1 would be at least a few thousand dollars more if it had a conventional motorized moonroof; cost plus profit. That what you want?

Would insulation save some electrons? probably. But is it enough to be worthwhile? I'm skeptical. From the Rivian-supplied energy screen, we already know the HVAC system does not consume much power as is. And Hannshow... enough said. Is this a sponsored review? If so, influencers should be clear on that; especially if Hansshow isn't a forum sponsor. And they are not.

 

[Sportstick]

Tesla really made this the standard, if they didn't invent it. And it's really done to make a big cut in manufacturing costs. Without a motorized moonroof assembly and associated interior trims and headliner, it's not only a significant cost in materials alone it's also a significant cut in time/labor on the assembly line. And, it brings in more light into the cabin, making it feel more spacious than it is. This gets them to cut cost while selling at premium level prices. From a business stand point, it's an clever no-brainer—it wasn't, no one else would have replicated it and it wouldn't be a thing today (even in ICE cars).

The R1 would be at least a few thousand dollars more if it had a conventional motorized moonroof; cost plus profit. That what you want?

Not at all. Either 1) sunroof delete option like Porsche and some BMW models or 2) a solid shade.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Not at all. Either 1) sunroof delete option like Porsche and some BMW models or 2) a solid shade.

Solid metal roof is going to require a full headliner. Metal, steel or AL, also cost more than glass (molten sand, quartz sand to be precise). Either way, be willing to put money where mouth is and pay more.

 

[Sportstick]

Solid metal roof is going to require a full headliner. Metal also cost more than glass (molten sand). Either way, be willing to put money where mouth is and pay more.

Not a problem to get what I want. Or, I’m just out the door to another brand if no reasonable solution can be substituted. One reason I walked out of a iX test drive a couple of years ago was the ridiculous electrochromic sunroof that wasn’t up to the job. Now, BMW sells iX without a mandated sunroof, just steel.

 

[mkhuffman]

Would insulation save some electrons? probably. But is it enough to be worthwhile? I'm skeptical. From the Rivian-supplied energy screen, we already know the HVAC system does not consume much power as is. And Hannshow... enough said. Is this a sponsored review? If so, influencers should be clear on that; especially if Hansshow isn't a forum sponsor. And they are not.

This thread is not a review of the Hanshow window shade.

I did give my impressions of the shade, but the shade doesn't do anything but shade. It has no insulating value. The insulation comes from the foil duct wrap I attached to the glass that I purchased from Home Depot. And no, I am not a Home Depot influencer. Or a Frost King influencer. I am just a R1T owner who wants to get as much range in the winter as possible, and this helps.

You are correct about the HVAC usage, and I don't have any data that proves there is any efficiency gain. That would be nearly impossible to gather, IMO. What I can prove is the insulating layer on the glass is 8 degrees warmer (in the winter, and 8 F cooler in the summer) than the glass alone, which logically means the HVAC is working less, and the cabin is more comfortable.

And I don't care about the glass roof anyway. It is useless to me. So if covering it with a very cheap solution gives me some benefit, why not?

The Hanshow roof shade is just there so I don't have to look at the foil, which looks really janky. I think when I ordered that one, it was the only one I could get in white. And I wanted white since covering the glass darkens the interior, and white helps keep it less dark. Maybe there are some other vendors that make a white one now.

Disclosure: I am not an influencer. I am just a dude with a truck who drinks beer while wearing white tank tops.

 

[mkhuffman]

I shared primarily for the insulation aspect. I had a similar thought as you earlier this year, but didn't pursue it. I'm curious how much work the reflective nature does in this situation.

I don't have any data that could delineate between the foam insulation (which isn't very think) and the foil surface.

I will say that I put sheets of foil in my attic, and holy crap it made a difference. The sheets have zero insulating value because they are just reflective aluminum held together with a thin coating of plastic, with holes in it. Like this:
https://ebay.us/m/EeY2Cr

It made a huge difference in the summer, and I suspect in the winter also. Prior my upstairs air conditioner would run all day in the hot months and never reach the set temperature. Now it cycles at the temperature I set. Amazing. And it is so cheap. One roll is less than $200.

 

[DuoRivian]

Tesla really made this the standard, if they didn't invent it. And it's really done to make a big cut in manufacturing costs. Without a motorized moonroof assembly and associated interior trims and headliner, it's not only a significant cost in materials alone it's also a significant cut in time/labor on the assembly line. And, it brings in more light into the cabin, making it feel more spacious than it is. This gets them to cut cost while selling at premium level prices. From a business stand point, it's an clever no-brainer—it wasn't, no one else would have replicated it and it wouldn't be a thing today (even in ICE cars).

The R1 would be at least a few thousand dollars more if it had a conventional motorized moonroof; cost plus profit. That what you want?

Would insulation save some electrons? probably. But is it enough to be worthwhile? I'm skeptical. From the Rivian-supplied energy screen, we already know the HVAC system does not consume much power as is. And Hannshow... enough said. Is this a sponsored review? If so, influencers should be clear on that; especially if Hansshow isn't a forum sponsor. And they are not.

Plus a motorized roof would leak for some and have warranty claims. Further enhancing the financial savings by eliminating that.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Plus a motorized roof would leak for some and have warranty claims. Further enhancing the financial savings by eliminating that.

Yup. Been there done that. An intermittent leak the OEM's dealer "cannot replicate", which lead to all sorts of electrical oddities. Independent mechanic's advice? dump it before intermittent turns into permanent. And chasing after it could be thousands. Exit BMW. Enter R1T.

 

[Thedude]

Solid metal roof is going to require a full headliner. Metal, steel or AL, also cost more than glass (molten sand, quartz sand to be precise). Either way, be willing to put money where mouth is and pay more.

Maybe? That doesn’t explain why every vehicle I’ve ever configured to purchase was cheaper with a solid roof rather than when optioned with a glass roof, motorized or not.

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