Tin Foil in Windows1

[Thomas Ince]

I'm purchasing my first apartment complex and many of the exisiting residents have tin foil in the windows.  Is there a good way to get them to take it down? 

Has anyone on here dealt with this before? Any thoughts? 

[Larry Chandler]

Thomas---I am newbie but try to find out why the tin foil is there in the first place. Do the windows face east or west? Is it being used to radiate heat from the sun into the apartments? Are there air leaks around the windows and this is an attempt to stop the leaks? Is the tin foil being used as shade from the sun (ultra violet rays maybe)? The answer may give you additional leverage in your price to the seller. Can't wait to find out the reason for the use of the tin foil.  The answer could be money in your pocket!  Best of luck

[Kevin Harrison]

Gypsies. No I'm not kidding. Its a traditional part of their culture for the first year in a new house or after marriage or something like that. 

Or I could be totally wrong, but those are the only people I know who put tin foil in their windows.  

[David McLean]

I've seen this a lot in the south and usually is implemented to keep a place cooler. 

[Thomas Ince]

Any thoughts on putting up a dark screen that would block out the tin foil?  Has someone done this? 

[Aaron Mazzrillo]

Most likely it is done to keep the sun out. I've also seen it done by a day sleeper to make it totally dark in the room. I don't allow it in any of my properties. No flags, bed sheets, or any other items that are not curtains are allowed to be used as curtains. I don't need one of my properties shot up cuz some idiot hung a Raiders flag in the living room window and where some of my rentals are located, this is not out of the question. 

Just sent them a notice that it is no longer allowed and it is to be removed immediately. You might consider buying those cheap throw away blinds from Home Depot and installing them.

[Gino Barbaro]

@Thomas Ince

Hi Thomas

how many units, and do any of the other apartments in the area have the same look.

Ask the tenants what they are there for.  You may be able to install inexpensive window treatments.

I would have them removed and replace with some other type of window treatment

Gino

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Thomas Ince  very common along with black garbage bags.. simply a money thing for most..

the garbage bags produce mold big time. and then they complain about mold.

In lower end rentals window coverings of the cheap blind kind will last maybe one year..

If it was cost effective I would get the windows like I have in my home that have the blinds inside the window pains.. at least I have them on my man doors.. not on my regular window.. we have wood blinds there ( plantation) but those would get destroyed in a rental setting.

its a tough one... you can get paper blinds as well just get used to replacing them very frequently just goes with the territory and the renter demographic and class of tenant frankly

[Russell Naylor]

I've seen people in the south put foil up to prevent birds running into the windows. Helps the birds see that there is something there and they don't run into them and break them.

[Lee L.]

I think I'd splurge a little and get nice matching faux wood blinds for all windows on the front side of the house. Not only would make the tenants happy, it would make the property look nice from the outside with all windows having a uniform look. 

Home Depot has really nice cut-to-width faux wood blinds. They offer a custom look, and dare I say -- a high end look, but much cheaper than custom blinds. 

Probably a $500-$600 project

[Joel Owens]

Looks like from look of things the building has no A/C except for window units.

Those buildings are pretty rough. You better be getting these for next to nothing.

[Thomas Ince]

Originally posted by @Gino Barbaro:

@Thomas Ince

Hi Thomas

how many units, and do any of the other apartments in the area have the same look.

Ask the tenants what they are there for.  You may be able to install inexpensive window treatments.

I would have them removed and replace with some other type of window treatment

Gino

 Its 14 Four-Plexs.  Total 56 units.  It has the worst appearance in town.  Want to clean that up.  

[Thomas Ince]

Originally posted by @Joel Owens:

Looks like from look of things the building has no A/C except for window units.

Those buildings are pretty rough. You better be getting these for next to nothing.

 I am.  56 units for the price of a single family house.  

[Thomas Ince]

Originally posted by @Lee L.:

I think I'd splurge a little and get nice matching faux wood blinds for all windows on the front side of the house. Not only would make the tenants happy, it would make the property look nice from the outside with all windows having a uniform look. 

Home Depot has really nice cut-to-width faux wood blinds. They offer a custom look, and dare I say -- a high end look, but much cheaper than custom blinds. 

Probably a $500-$600 project

 Thats a good idea.  

[Gino Barbaro]

@Thomas Ince

Hi Thomas

that is awesome.  You just bought what I refer to as a Mom and Pop.

Good Luck

Gino

[Joe Splitrock]

They are to block out the sun and heat. Cheap mini blinds do nothing. You will need to buy wood or sun blocking type which will cost you more money and will probably be destroyed by your low-end tenants. In the photo it looks like replacing missing siding and new paint should be a higher priority to increase curb appeal. I like to plant trees as a way to give shade and increase curb appeal. 

[Mindy Jensen]

Ikea sells a sun-blocking pull down shade. They are easy to install, but I can see a tenant ripping them off the wall... Buy extras.

[Daniel Lee]

I used to tinfoil my windows as a kid.  Kept the sun out so I could sleep in late.  Blocks 100% of sun.  Room was pitch dark at noon.

[Erin Margaret]

I'm from Alaska. We foil our windows all summer when the sun literally never sets and you still need to sleep. I've never seen it in the south though! You have to ask them why it's there. If it is a light issue you could easily get some black out curtains for each unit, if it is a thermal issue they make rubber backed thermal insulated curtains (think hotel style on the little tracks) you can get them fairly cheaply if you purchase a lot of them. Which it looks like you may want to with that many units.

[Daren H.]

I have seen it on garages that have windows. I suppose it is because you don't want people peaking into your garage and stealing your sh*t later. Nevertheless, who the hell cares why or what it is for. You are the owner, and you make certain rules. I would be polite enough to ask what the deal is with the foil in the windows (out of curiosity, lol) but also let the tenants know it is not allowed. To ease the pain, I would consider replacing the foil on my dime with cheap mini-blinds (tenants replace if they tear them up). It is a cheap fix and instead of being the bad guy, you are the not so bad guy. If I can spend ~$20 or so on a unit and get peace of mind, it is worth it in my opinion. And I don't think this makes you vulnerable to the tenant. Again, you own the place and get to make the rules.