DIY temp covering sky light windows.

[jen0610]

Need suggestions for covering a large sky light in our kitchen.

With DH home recovering after his quad bypass, I need to get this window covered for the next several weeks. It lets in a ton of light and heat. DH HATES the summer weather in normal conditions and with him recovering, we need to try and keep the house as cool as possible.

Last night DD, her friend and I took a blanket and duck tape it over the window opening. It was such a pretty blue blanket taped to my ceiling. It really made a big difference in the temp of the house last night. But according to DH, it came down this afternoon, so I really need to get it back up there and have it stay up there until I take it down.

We used pretty much a whole roll of duct tape, but the ceiling is that god awful popcorn stuff. How can I get the blanket to stay up there? Or is a sheet a better option? I am open for an other temp suggestions as well.

 

[Sparkleshine]

Use a staple gun! You won't see the holes left behind, it's much stronger than tape, and it won't leave a residue!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Not sure the size, but could you use a sheet or two of posterboard? I think that would be alot lighter (but more opaque than the sheet). I'm thinking you may even be able to use thumb tacks?

 

[tOSU]

http://www.gilafilms.com/en/Energy-Saving-Window-Film.aspx

 

[golfgal]

Is it set in a casing of some kind? If so, get some tension rods (curtain rods) at Walmart and some dark, thick fabric. Pin a channel (or sew one if you can) and thread the rods through and install. Do this on both ends of the fabric.

If you can't use tension rods you can install a curtain rod just like you would in a window, just have one at each end of the skylight.

 

[RNMOM]

Yep, what Golfgal said. Take 2 tension rods and you could even drap the fabric over it. You could use a blanket, curtain, sheet, whatever. The heavier the fabric, the more the insulation and darkening. You could even use something like a black plastic bag laying on top of the fabric to provide darkening. The benefit is no holes.

If you use heavy fabric you might be able to use tension shower curtain rods.

 

[sorcerormickey]

http://www.gilafilms.com/en/Energy-Saving-Window-Film.aspx

I second this. I live in Florida and we have 2 south-facing windows in our master bedroom. The room would get so hot in the afternoon even with blinds closed and heavy drapes. I put up the window film and it has made an amazing difference. Not difficult to do, just takes a little patience.

 

[hoosll]

I used tension rods like you use for window sheers. I used glue (or you could sew pockets at either end in some sunscreen fabric, threaded the tension rods at each end and then pushed them into the skylights.

Works great and can be easily removed in winter when the sunshine is welcome again.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, use the insulated curtain fabric and the tension rods. For extra insulation, put a piece of cut-to-size foam-core posterboard above the cloth panel -- that is light enough not be at risk of easily falling down.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have a button I push and the shade automatically goes over the skylight---push it again and it opens. Not sure what that costs because I had it done when I built the room onto the house so it was all in the contsruction price though. But I had to laugh seeing he hates the summer...I hate the winter and dread it coming, I go into a black cloud until the weather warms up again!

 

[jen0610]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

For now, I have a peach sheet stapled to the ceiling. It is the best I could do with what I and my dad had on hand. DH was hot and sore and just wanted the thing covered. Since he's the one recovering, I just did what I had to do get the heat blocked out.

When his best friend gets here next week, I will get him to help me either put in some of the blocking films or do the tension bar and curtain fabric trick. I am only 5'5" and DD is just a bit shorter as well as her friend who help out a 2nd time, so it was tough enough on us trying to get the sheet up on the ceiling.

 

[minkydog]

My mom lives in south Alabama. She has a large skylight in her sunroom which lets in a ton of heat during the summer. She cut a large piece of styrofoam to fit the opening and stuffed it up in there. i think she may have a piece of tape on two edges just to keepti from falling on their heads. With the styrofoam in the room can be reasonably cooled. Without the styrofoam that room can get up to 15 degrees hotter, rendering the room unuseable duruing the summer.