When looking for a solution that will cover (no pun intended) all of your needs, you don't want a little of this and some of that; you want one product that will do the job.

The job you want the product to do is to lower your energy costs, protect your possessions from damage, and still allow you to get air and light into your lake house.

Solar screens will serve all of those purposes, and you will be able to use them in areas that window film is not an option.

You want your lake home to be a place that is comfortable and relaxing to be in. One of the ways to do that is to regulate the heat that enters your house from the sun. 

You also want to reduce glare and prevent UV damage to your belongings.

Both solar screens and window film can help with these issues. However, solar screens have an advantage over window films in a couple of distinct ways. 

Window film is placed directly on the window itself. The effectiveness of the film comes into play only if the window is always closed. 

If you raise or open the window, it no longer provides the needed protection. 

Solar screens are placed on the outside of the window, much like insect screening is. 

The other advantage solar screen has over window film is that it can be used in places that are not appropriate for window film. 

Solar screens work great to screen in porches, patios, and lanais that have no windows or glass structures. 

This is a much less expensive alternative to installing windows in these areas and then applying window film to the glass. 

The solar window screen can be used in these areas without the need for glass or windows. 

They will provide heat and UV protection and have the added bonus of providing protection from bugs and insects.

Solar screens are more versatile than window film needing a frame rather than glass for adherence

Manufacturers make solar screen fabric for residential use from PVC-coated polyester or PVC coated fiberglass. 

The main difference between these two types fabrics is thickness. The PVC on both improves the durability of the screen and allows for some variation in color.

The fibers of solar screens are rounded in shape and so can refract light.

These strands will diffuse the light that enters a space, whether it is a window or an outside area like a patio or lanai.

The percentage of the sunlight that is reflected by the sun screen mesh is dependent on the openness of the mesh and the color of the screen.

Openness refers to how dense the weave of the screen is. The more open the weave, the more light, and heat can penetrate.

The color of the solar screen material is a factor because color affects glare and how much heat the material absorbs. Darker colors tend to provide the best glare reduction and visibility.

Saint-Gobain is a company with a history dating back over 350 years. They have learned a thing or two in that length of time.

You can find their products everywhere in our daily lives and in buildings, transportation, infrastructures, and industry.

Their Adfors division creates solar screens that fit today’s requirements for comfort, performance, safety, and aesthetics.

You can enhance the comfort and aesthetics of your lake house with solar screens. They are an efficient way to save on energy costs and to protect your furnishings from fading.

Patios and lanais will also benefit from the reduction of heat and glare in those areas. You can enclose those areas to keep out the bugs and pests while still enjoying the view and fresh air.

Solar screens will make life at the lake even more enjoyable if that is possible!

CHECK THE PIPES

   MANAGE THE THERMOSTAT

   CHECK FOR WOODEN CRACKS AND AIR 

   WINTERIZE YOUR FIREPLACE

   CHECK YOUR APPLIANCES

CHECK THE BOATS

   CLEAN THE YARD

   SECURE THE PROPERTY

While you will find real estate agents that sell both lakefront and regular properties, an agent that sells mainly lakefronts will have specialized knowledge of the house and area. 

This type of agent will not only know about the house; they will also have detailed information about the lake. This advantage helps you make an informed decision before you purchase.

Lake property is going to cost more than other properties. Securing a loan for a lake house can take longer than a conventional mortgage, so it is good to start early. 

Lenders will often consider only buyers who are highly qualified, so find out the type of loan you can secure before you start looking. 

Knowing that loan amount will help define your search for homes.

Living in a lake house is more expensive all the way around, and one of those ways is insurance. 

Find out what types of insurance you will need to secure for your lake home and where you can get them. 

A lakefront property sometimes requires specialized insurance like wind, flood, or hazard. 

You may need more than one insurance company to cover those requirements.

When looking at a lake house, it is critical to determine who owns the lake. Some lakes have leases associated with the lake. 

Municipal and federal entities, such as the US Army Corp of Engineers or others, may own the lake itself and lease the lake houses' shoreline. 

If this is the case, you need to determine how much of the land lease is left. It could be 50 years or 5 years. 

Know that renewing a lease may also mean a rise in cost to account for market value. 

While you do not have to pay property taxes on leased land, the lease's price may be prohibitive. 

Make sure you speak to a home loan expert if the property is on leased land.

Many lakefront homes are part of an association that governs the water and the beaches. If you buy a home in the association area, you must be part of the association. 

That will mean paying association fees and living by the organization's rules. Those rules will include when and how you can use the water. 

They will also have limitations as to what you can and cannot do with your property. 

Ask to see the by-laws and regulations of the association before you decide to purchase a home that is part of an association.

When living in a lake house, you will be hoping to spend at least as much time outside and on the water as you would in the house. 

While you can change the inside of the house, you will not be able to change the property's location. 

Make sure that the attributes you are looking for in a lake property are present. Is it easy to get to the water? 

Is there a dock for a boat or a place to put in a dock? Is the water murky or suitable for swimming? 

Check out if it will be easy to get a boat in and out or are there issues like oyster beds that prohibit that. Is the area private enough for you? 

Determine what you want from lake house living and then see if the property aligns with your desires.

When you see a property that you are interested in, you may also have ideas of what you would like to do to improve or make the property your own. 

When adding or altering, such as docks or seawalls, you may need to get permission. 

Government agencies may get involved, and they have strict regulations. Some people who purchase a lake house also want to rent the property when they are not in residence.

Check to see if this is a possibility. Know if you will be allowed to do what you want to make alterations to the property before you purchase

Lakes and other bodies of water will have restrictions about the types of activity allowed. Some lakes do not allow jet skis or speedboats. 

There may be hours of operation and restrictions on the number of boats or watercraft you can own. 

Find out the specifics of what you can and cannot do on the lake before purchasing. 

Find out if you can have large Lake Floats and other water toys on the lake.

It would be devastating to buy a lakefront property to find out that you cannot use the lake as you had envisioned.

Houses on the lake encounter more abuse from the elements than a land-locked home will. 

Winds off the water, corrosion from saltwater, flooding, and bugs are a few things that can cause wear and tear quickly. 

While living on the lake is wonderful, you don't want to purchase someone else's problems. 

Have a reputable home inspector look the house over from top to bottom to see if there is evidence of past damage or "quick fixes" that you would have to address yourself. 

Find out, too, if the construction of the house allows for winter use. Many lake homes, initially, were built as cottages the owners visited on weekends in the summer. 

If you want to use the home as your primary residence or visit all year round, make sure the house is equipped for winter living.

As with a land-locked home, you will have regular maintenance, but living on a lake brings some other unique considerations. 

If you have a dock and a lift for your boat, does it need to be removed from the water in winter? 

Will your boat stay at the site, or does it have to move to a storage facility in cold months? 

Outdoor furniture will take a bit of a beating and may need end of the season refinishing to protect it from the elements. 

Do you have the storage space for all of the canoes, kayaks, and water toys you will acquire living on the lake? They will all need looking after so that you can use them season after season. 

Determine how much you should allocate in your budget for the annual maintenance of your property and items.

Living lakeside will be a wonderful experience, and you will want to spend most of your time there. 

You will not want to be spending time on the road to get to a grocery or home improvement store for needed supplies. 

While you want to get away from it all, you don't want it all to be so far away that it takes hours to gather the items you need. 

There should also be medical (and veterinarian) care nearby. You want guests to have an easy route to visit you (maybe), and you want the lake house to be accessible for all of your needs.

You can get all kinds of information from the people who are already living on the lake that you are interested in. 

Find out about utilities, clean water, septic systems, cable, and the internet from the people who are living with those aspects of life on the lake. 

It will give you reliable information about what to expect, and the type of people you encounter will also let you know if these are people you would like to live alongside.

This face mask turns a necessary item into a fun statement about life on the lake that is very pertinent to today's world.
These masks will be a great gift for a lake house owner and wonderful stocking stuffers! 
Very practical, the strap on this engaging mask can be adjusted to fit the size of your face. 
Washable and reusable, the filter on the mask can also be changed, and the mask comes with two replacement packs.
The 100% polyester material is breathable and comfortable to wear. Once the need for compulsory wearing of masks has abated, this mask will still serve its purpose. 
It is great to use when you are cleaning at the lake house to keep you from inhaling chemicals.
It is also perfect for keeping dust at bay when home projects require sanding or sawing. 
Sensitivity from mowing grass, raking leaves, or any other allergy-inducing activities that require your attention will be significantly lessened with a mask that helps filter out the allergens.

This round rustic beach wall clock fits perfectly into a lake home. This can be an ideal gift for someone who owns a lake house, as a clock is always a useful item. 
The large 12-inch face can easily be seen across the room with the numbers, hour, and minute hand in black against the clock face's blues and whites. 
The non-ticking design makes it a quiet item to have in the bedroom at the lake house
The blue and white distressed wood planks design picture on the clock's face is a large decal on MDF, which makes the clock much more lightweight and easy to hang. 
The shaded blue and white colors are reminiscent of all things nautical.
Great to have in the laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom, the clock operates using just one AA battery that you provide. 
With one-year manufacturer protection, this rustic wall clock will keep everyone on time for all the fun at the lake house!

Maybe you have a friend or relative that has extended invitations to you to visit their lake house, and you would like to show your appreciation. 
Both cute and cozy, the Ambesonne Duvet cover set will be ideal for either the guest room or master bedroom at a lake house! 
Fun and inviting, the queen size duvet cover (just add a comforter) will be a welcome touch to the lake house.
This three-piece set includes the queen size duvet cover and two pillow shams. Made from 100% brushed microfiber fabric, the vibrant blue colors will liven up any room they are in. 
The large graphics on the cover and both pillow sham state the obvious: Life Is Better at the Lake!
This ensemble would be perfect for extra guests staying overnight at a lake house and the ideal gift for someone who lives on the lake.

What better way to let others know how you feel than with this "Life is Better at the Lake" hoodie? 
Wherever you go, and however you see, they will no doubt where you would rather be! 
A practical gift that any lake house owner would be happy to wear, this gift will be a hit and not a miss!
This pullover hoodie has green and white lettering, made from cotton and polyester and comes in four different colors. 
Choose from black, navy, royal blue, or dark heather. The hoodie has a sizable single pocket on the garment's front to put your hands, store your phone, or put the keys to the boat.
The design and colors will suit men or women, boys or girls, with sizes ranging from small to 2XL. 
Great to have at the lake house for running errands or lounging at the dock. They also make great gifts for friends and family to remind everyone where life is best!

A mural showing a beautiful lake shoreline at the break of day with the mist still shimmering in the distance, and the sun glistening off a cluster of birch trees creates a lovely vista to gaze upon.
As lake house gifts go, this is a unique gift that will be like no others. This splendid scene can be available in any room of a lake house no matter the season!
With a lake wall mural from Brewster, you can give this stunning and unique gift that will set the tone for a lake house. 
Measuring a large 72 inches by 48 inches, the serene lake view comes printed on four prepasted vinyl coated paper panels.
Easy to install in any room at the lake house, this captivating mural will bring the outside lake's beauty inside to the den, guest room, bathroom, or whatever room the lake house owners decide. 
Truly an excellent addition to their home and a distinctive gift that will be prominently featured.

Oops! Too often, in the excited hurry to get out of doors at the lake, someone walks (or tries to walk) right through the screen door! 
With so many people in and out and carrying items, or Fido scratching to get out or back in, screen doors at a lake house take their fair share of abuse.
This abuse can result in holes in the screens and needed repairs to keep the bugs out. 
There is, however, an easy and unique way to signal to everyone that the screen door is closed and to cover any holes there might be on the screen without having to schlep the door to a hardware repair.
These round, flexible, and rubberized magnetic screensavers are the perfect answer to a simple yet annoying problem. 
Place the two identical magnets back to back on the screen door to be visible to all or use them to cover a hole that pesky bugs can get through.
Pictured with a sailboat on a lake and pine trees onshore, these 5.75-inch magnets will do the trick and look good at the same time! 
Quick, easy, and inexpensive to use; these magnets will not rust and will stand up to the weather.
The next time you visit your favorite lake homeowner, these screen door savers will be a big hit, and eminently practical!

A lovely "thanks for having me at your lake house" gift, this generous 16-ounce stoneware mug is the ideal gift that is sure to get you an invitation to visit again! 
A soft, dusty blue, this mug will go with anything and has the inscription "Good Morning Lake Life."
The unique but casual design in a matte finish is sure to become the go-to mug for the lucky lake homeowner gifted with this. 
The stoneware mug will hold the heat and warm the hands at the same time. It makes for a great gift, as everyone can always use a mug for coffee or hot chocolate. 
This one is especially nice with its distinctive design.
As a great gift idea, the mug comes in a box with a printed cardboard cover to sign your "to" and "from" on. 
This gift for your favorite lake house owner is sure to be appreciated, and you will be remembered each time they use it!

The next time you get invited to someone's lake house, take along these cool decals that are sure to bring a smile to the lake house owner's face. 
A set of two decals proclaims "Lake Bum," and who would not want to be one of those? The decal is ideal for on the side of a car, on a window, a helmet, or even on a laptop. 
In cursive writing, the outline of black letters lets the color of the accepting surface show through. Made from sign vinyl, these decals will withstand the elements for up to six years.
Easy to apply, you can install it in a matter of a minute. The decals are waterproof, UV, and scratch-resistant. 
Definitely a fun and charming gift to take along on your next trip to a friend's lake house. They will appreciate the gesture!

"Life is better at the lake," and you know that for sure because this engraved wine tumbler proclaims just that! 
The lake is the place to kick back and relax, and that can mean having your favorite wine to go along with you on the dock, the boat, or in the hammock. 
Any lake house owner is going to appreciate one or more of these insulated stainless steel wine tumblers. 
You need to be ready for anything at the lake house, and while you enjoy your wine, carrying a breakable wine glass around it is not very practical. 
What better way to have the best of both worlds with this tumbler that also comes with a lid, which means you won't spill a drop! 
A gift that is sure to be appreciated, the double-walled tumbler is vacuum insulated to keep your drink either warm, hot, or cold for hours. 
The tumbler eliminates condensation and has a spill-resistant lid with a slider closure. When not used for a drink, this versatile tumbler is perfect for ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, or soup. 
A generous 12 ounces, this tumbler comes in teal or white teal ombre and pink or white-pink ombre. 
A gift that will be practical and appreciated for any lake house owner. You might want to get several so that there will always be one for you to use on your next visit!

It would be hard to find a more fitting gift for the retiring lake homeowner than this comfy throw. 
Embroidered in large letters on the corner of this grey throw is the statement "Retired to the Lake." Don't we all wish we could receive one of these! 
The 50" x 60" throw is just the right size to throw over your legs as you watch the sunset over the lake. 
The lake house owner can take this handy throw out to the hammock when it is time for an afternoon siesta.
Done in 100% polyester fabric in a herringbone pattern with tassels, this throw will go with any decor.
Sure to please any lake house owner, this is a gift that says it all and will be a delightful reminder of the fact that retired to the lake is the ideal place to be!