what is the best window treatment to keep sunlight out

10 window treatment to block sun and heat: Editor Recommended

#	Product	Score
1	Blackout EZ – Total Sunlight…	8.60
2	Window Film One Way Daytime…	9.45
3	HIDBEA Reflective Window Film, Daytime…	9.40
4	Coavas One Way Window Film…	9.65

Jun 25 2022

Full Answer

What window treatments look best from outside?

Window treatments for sliding glass doors: alternative solutions

• Vertical cellular shades. This solution is one of the most unusual and comfortable to use and, according to the designers, one of the most energy-efficient.
• Sliding panels (Track blinds) They are slats reminiscent of vertical blinds – with the only difference that, in this case, they are united by a translucent fabric.
• Sliding shutters. ...
• Draperies. ...

Which blinds block the most light?

Your question answered: blinds that let in the most light

• Our best pick of blinds that let in the most light. ...
• Roller blinds. ...
• You can even see the clouds through this sheer fabric
• Vertical blinds. ...
• By angling the louvres, you can let the light in.
• Versatile Verticals!
• Venetian blinds. ...
• Venetian blinds, finish by Eclipse
• Let the light in with venetian blinds from Norwich Sunblinds
• Pleated blinds. ...

More items...

How to prevent sun damage with window treatments?

• Are you avoiding peak sun hours?
• Are you covering up exposed skin by wearing hats, sunglasses, and the right clothes?
• Are you regularly using high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen every day?

How to block Sunshine from a high window?

• Place a sheer curtain over the window. Use a curtain that allows the sun to shine through but filters out some of the harsh rays.
• Move the plants a few feet away from the window glass, allowing them to bask in the bright sun without being hit by the direct rays.
• Apply a window film that blocks UV rays. ...

What can I put on my house windows to keep the sun out?

Exterior shutters and shades are usually made of a variety of materials, including fabric, wood, steel, aluminum, or vinyl. They are most effective at reducing solar heat gain. Shades are typically fabric or vinyl and the material may have openings that allow some visibility through the window.

What are the best blinds to keep sun out?

The 7 Best Blinds That Block the SunGoDear Design Deluxe Adjustable Sliding Panel Track Blind.SBARTAR Cordless Cellular Shades Blackout Honeycomb Blinds.Veneta Classic Blackout Cellular Shades.Cordless Utopia Roman Shade.Cocoon by Coulisse Light Filtering Cellular Shade.Radiance Cord-Free, Roller Shade.More items...•

How do I stop my sun from shining through the window?

How to Reduce Sun Glare on WindowsInstall Blinds. An admittedly simplistic solution, blinds are able to instantly block out any sun and window glare with merely a quick flick of the wrist. ... Paint Your Walls a Bright Colour. ... Buy an Awning. ... Use Plants and Trees. ... Install Anti Glare Window Film.

What type of shades keep heat out?

Cellular Shades. Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are one of the most energy efficient window coverings you can buy. They use a series of honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

What are the best window coverings to block out heat?

Window shades made from sunscreen fabrics are some of the best window blinds to keep heat out if you value style and versatility. Sunscreen roller blinds are made from an almost entirely translucent fabric capable of blocking 99% of the sun's UV rays, and up to 85% of the heat from the sun.

How do you cool a room with direct sunlight?

How to Cool a Room Facing the SunImprove Window Efficiency. Existing windows that are old, drafty, single-pane windows make cooling a house more difficult. ... Use the Right Window Coverings. ... Install Outdoor Awnings. ... Grow Shade Outdoors. ... Keep Air Circulating. ... Cut Down on Humidity. ... Postpone Heat-Generating Activities.

How do you blackout windows without curtains?

Using Tin Foil Or Cardboard Tinfoil, or aluminium foil, is a common and inexpensive way to blackout your window. It's a great option to go for as it's airtight and there's no way to see through it, so covering your window with tin foil is an effective way to achieve total darkness for easier sleeping during the day.

Solar Shades

Also known as “window sunglasses,” solar shades let in a lot of light but stave off the sun’s heat. They come in a range of openness factors, from 3% to 14%. Lower openness gives a more opaque finish, while higher openness gives a sheer one.

Insulated Cellular Shades

This type of window treatment is made of pleated material and designed like an accordion. Some insulated cellular shades contain multiple air layers in a honeycomb pattern. Their purpose is to allow you to control the amount of daylight entering your space.

Quilted Window Blinds

Quilted window blinds are also opaque, but their energy efficiency doesn’t disappoint. To let the light in but keep the heat out, roll up the blinds only until the point the sun rays don’t reach directly.

Wood Blinds

Wood blinds may be a little old-fashioned, but in a contemporary home, they can look timeless. Although they disrupt natural light and create shadows, they won’t necessarily make your space gloomy. If wood blinds are installed on a south-facing window, you won’t have problems with a little disruption.

Panel Track Blinds

If your sliding glass doors are the ones responsible for the heat inside your home, consider covering them with panel track blinds. They’re made of fabric panels that filter light and heat well. The blinds’ texture can also give more dimension to your space. If you go for a modern farmhouse style, panel track blinds will fit the design perfectly.

Blackout Curtains

If you’re not a fan of sunlight at all, blackout curtains can be the best option for you. With them, not only will your home be cooler, but the color of your paint and furniture will stay vibrant. They may darken your space, but if you prefer a moody environment, your space won’t be any less beautiful.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters look similar to wood blinds, but instead of rolling them up, you open them from their hinges. They’re available in different materials, such as vinyl, solid vinyl with aluminum insert, and composite platinum. What’s good about plantation shutters is their larger louvers.

What window treatments block out light?

Below are four different types of window treatments that help in blocking out the light and aid in your sleep. 1. Roller shades. Roller shades (or mesh solar shades) filter light out without completely blocking the view. They come in a variety of colors and degrees of opacity.

Why are window treatments important?

They're crucial because they help control privacy and light, and even provide insulation.

What is the best shade for a bedroom?

Cellular shades are the perfect option for a bedroom because they can completely block out the light when closed and also open from top to allow light in without compromising privacy. 3. Draperies and curtains. Draperies and curtains keep light out while also adding texture, patterns and colors to your room.

What is cellular shade?

Cellular shades. Cellulars come in a variety of materials, ranging from mesh to blackout. Mesh cellulars allow more natural light into the room. Blackout cellular shades’ sides run up and down inside a channel, making them extremely effective at blocking light. Cellular shades are the perfect option for a bedroom because they can completely block ...

How to dress up shades?

You can dress up shades by a valence at the top or by pairing them with another window treatment, such as a curtain. Roller shades, or mesh solar shades, keep light out but don't obscure your view. (Photo courtesy of Habitar Design) 2. Cellular shades.

Do draperies keep light out?

Draperies and curtains keep light out while also adding texture, patterns and colors to your room. Drapery and curtains can be a light or even contain sheer material. Light can enter the room with a minimal amount of sun blockage.

Do vinyl blinds block light?

Thin, vinyl blinds may allow substantial light transmission. If you're most concerned with blocking light and sleep, vinyl blinds aren't your best option. Custom-cut blinds will more effectively block out light than thinner ones loosely fit to a window opening.

Awnings

Bypass indoor window treatments by installing your choice of awnings on your home’s exterior. An opaque and tightly woven awning can decrease solar heat gain by as much as 77 percent on windows that face south and 65 percent on windows that face west.

Blinds

For an interior window covering, choose blinds that will give your HVAC system a break while still allowing a reasonable amount of sunlight into your home. Select the color, material, and slat width that offers you the flexibility you want while reducing solar heat gain.

Curtains

Some of the most versatile window treatments available, curtains range from translucent coverings to heavy draperies. To keep out the most sunlight and heat in the spring, opt for medium-colored, closed-weave curtains. Select curtains with white-plastic backings and keep them closed during the day to reduce solar heat gain by as much as one-third.

High-Reflectivity Films

If you’d prefer something more subtle than traditional window coverings, consider a high-reflectivity film instead. Essentially sheets of tinted plastic, window films block certain types of light and can reduce solar gain by as much as 70 percent. Most window films are self-adhering, which means you can easily apply them yourself.

How to keep out the sun?

Keep Out the Sun With Energy-Efficient Window Treatments. You may not be able to replace your current windows with top-of-the-line, energy-efficient ones right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save on energy costs in the meantime. Sometimes overlooked, window treatments, such as blinds and curtains, can actually help to keep ...

Why are shade windows so popular?

Shades are some of the best window treatments because of their simplicity and effectiveness. There’s a secret to their success, though: being properly hung. You want to get each shade as close to the window glass as possible, with the sides of the shade as close to the wall as possible, to create a sealed air space.

How much heat gain can blinds reduce?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), when highly reflective interior blinds are lowered and closed on a sunny window , they can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent. If you want to let a little light in, instead, they can also be adjusted to reflect the sunlight on a light-colored ceiling, diffusing the light without much heat or glare.

Why do drapes stay cooler in summer?

Add to that the fact that the drapes stay cooler than some other window treatments in the summer because their pleats and folds lose heat through convection, and you’ve got yourself a bonafide energy-efficient — and tasteful — window treatment.

What is a honeycomb shade?

Another shade option is the honeycomb style, which features a layered design that traps the air in its individual “honeycomb” cells. Air is a poor conductor of heat, so this type of shade creates an effective temperature-transfer barrier between the window and the interior room.

How to reduce heat gain from the sun?

One of the best ways to reduce heat gain from the summer sun in your home is to have plantation shutters professionally installed on each of your windows. Typically made of wood, but sometimes made of vinyl, the shutters are custom-fitted to each window and hung on hinges. As a bonus, these tasteful, long-lasting window treatments are often coveted ...

Can you reverse the shade?

That way, you can reverse the shade, depending on the season. In the summer, the reflective side should face the window, to keep the heat out. And in the winter, it should face the room, to keep the heat it.

What window treatments can mount directly inside the window frame?

3. Roller Shades. Also known as solar shades, these window treatments can mount directly inside the window frame and come in various levels of transparency and opaqueness. Many homeowners choose these options for their windows because they have a more streamlined, modern aesthetic.

What to do with windows in June?

Here are just a few things you can do with your windows to keep your home more comfortable June through August: 1. Heavy Drapes. Over the past few years tastes have changed dramatically, especially in how homeowners “treat” their windows. Heavy drapes are less common now.

How much does blackout drapes reduce heat?

Heavy blackout drapes and those with the white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33 percent. Those energy savings can add up quickly. The downside is you compromise, shutting out natural light along with the heat. 2. Window Shutters.

What is low E window?

Perhaps the most popular is low emissivity (low-e) windows that can mitigate unwanted heat but also allow in ample natural light. For more information about keeping your home windows Phoenix covered and cool in Phoenix, AZ, contact the experts at Freelite. You can call to schedule an appointment at (602) 233-1981.

What are plantation shutters made of?

These feature louvers that allow you to adjust how much light you want to block. And because these are typically made of vinyl or wood materials, you get the added benefit of energy saving insulation.

Do drapes reduce heat?

Heavy drapes are less common now. Instead a lot of designers favor light, bright, open spaces full of natural light and windows that offer expansive views. But what most people forget is unwanted heat gains. Heavy blackout drapes and those with the white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33 percent .