Window treatments and direct sun

[Lynne M]

I've got a window in my guest room that faces west. From experience in other apartments, I know that room is going to be roasting in the summer because it's going to blasted with direct sun in the late afternoons.

I'm trying to decide what to do for window treatments, to save my guests from heat stroke and save my a/c bill as well. I was thinking either something like cellular shades or wood blinds. Because of the way the window frame is constructed, I don't think shutters will work.

Does anyone have any suggestions for the best way to block sunlight and heat? Thanks!

 

[lynxstch]

how about some of that solar shield (or whatever it's called) that you apply to the glass..that and some blackout drapes/curtains would certainly cool the room down!

 

[HM]

I'd either go with blinds that you can adjust or curtains and sheers for the window.

We chose sheers and curtains for our guest room. In the summer, unless someone is using the room, we keep the curtains closed against the sun. If someone is staying in it, we keep the sheers closed to block out a lot of the heat and sun rays, but let the sun come in.

 

[Coconut36]

I have shutters on my windows that get that nasty sun/heat. I keep them closed starting about noon and have noticed they help contain the heat a bit (you can feel it if you open the shutters). If shutters will not fit I would probably go with a light blocking solar type shade. Lowe's used to have a really inexpensive one that they would cut in store to fit your window measurements (ours fit perfectly inside the window) We put them on all our bedroom windows so the rooms are in total darkness. Each room has curtains as well on the outside to help soften in and give a pretty touch. I really really like them and we have large windows but it was only like $30 per window to put them in.

 

[Lynne M]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I'll look for thermal curtains, and check out Lowe's for light-blocking shades, too.

 

[pumpkinmomma]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I'll look for thermal curtains, and check out Lowe's for light-blocking shades, too.

I found a good selection of thermal curtains at jcp.