To block heat before it enters your home, apply heat-control window film or install exterior shades/awnings. For indoor solutions, use tight-fitting cellular shades or thermal-lined blackout curtains. The most effective options vary by installation type:
Yes, putting aluminum foil on your windows effectively keeps heat out. Because aluminum foil is highly reflective, it acts as a radiation barrier, bouncing up to 95% of the sun's radiant heat back outside before it can warm up your home.
To cool a room with no windows, your best immediate solution is to use a Ductless Mini-Split AC, a Windowless Portable AC / Evaporative Cooler, or a DIY ice fan. Because windowless rooms trap heat, maximizing air circulation, utilizing frozen water, and removing internal heat sources are essential.
The most effective way to keep heat out is to block the sun before it hits the glass, making exterior solar screens or awnings the top-performing options. For interior options, cellular shades and thermal blackout curtains are your best bets for managing solar heat gain.
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.
To block window sun heat, the most effective approach is intercepting the sunlight before it hits the glass. Top solutions include installing exterior solar screens, applying reflective solar window films, or using insulating interior treatments like cellular honeycomb shades.
Some of Stewart's homes utilize interior blinds for light regulation and privacy. Others feature windows framed by exterior shutters, operable versions of which can also be used for light control, ventilation and privacy.
The most affordable and effective way to block sunlight is using aluminum foil taped directly to the window panes. For a slightly more aesthetic and rental-friendly approach, you can use peel-and-stick window cling film, paper blackout shades, or cardboard cut to fit the frame.
In the U.S., the uncovered window is perhaps less an expression of communal trust than one of personal protection. Wealthier homeowners, who can also afford state-of- the-art security systems, may not feel that they need shades. These curtainless windows have become one of our subtlest statements of privilege.
Trending Window Treatment Ideas for Every Room
Many Amish homes are built with plenty of windows to help circulate the air and bring in the cooler overnight temperatures. They open the windows on the top floors to help the heat escape while the family retreats to the lower grounds within their homes for comfort.
To cool a room effectively with a fan and a window, use a box fan to push hot air out of the window, rather than pulling it in. This creates a negative pressure zone, drawing cooler, refreshing air into your room through open windows elsewhere in your home.
Lay the cloth over the fan. As it blows the air out, it'll circulate through the cloth and the air will feel cooler. Make sure that the cloth cannot get caught on the fan in any way at all––if this is a possibility, don't use this method. Replace the cloth frequently, as they dry out.
People wrap foil around doorknobs as a viral DIY alarm and visual deterrent. The theory is that if an intruder tries to turn the handle from the outside, the crinkling noise will wake you, or the ripped foil will let you know someone attempted to enter while you were asleep.
To keep your house cool, the most effective strategy is to block the sun's rays before they enter your home. The best approach is installing exterior awnings or solar sun screens. For interior fixes, apply reflective window film and hang blackout curtains.
The cheapest way to black out windows is by using aluminum foil. Simply mist your window glass with water, press the foil on, and tape the edges with painter’s tape for a $5 DIY solution that blocks 100% of light.
Warm, earthy palettes are gaining traction in the 2026 window treatment trends. Instead of embracing muted color schemes, homeowners are selecting organic materials, textured textiles, and warm tones, creating a welcoming atmosphere that feels charming and lived-in.
Joanna Gaines’ window treatments prioritize organic textures, warm neutrals, and maximizing natural light. Her signature modern-farmhouse style focuses on framing views instead of hiding them by hanging curtains high to make ceilings feel taller, utilizing light-filtering materials, and incorporating custom wooden elements.
Key Points. Vinyl blinds and honeycomb shades now feel dated in modern interiors. Cafe curtains in lace or florals can make a space look old-fashioned.
Thankfully, Stewart was quick to ease our curtain concerns. She says, “They're beautiful, I don't have anything against them, I just don't live with them… I like to look outside. Every window [in my home] looks out to something nice, and it's just all open to the view.”
Curtains usually look cheap because of flimsy, unlined fabrics, insufficient width (looking like a "flat sheet" when closed), or a length that stops too short above the floor. Additionally, plastic hardware and visible metal grommets often detract from an elevated design, making budget curtains stand out negatively.
Window blankets are a very effective way to improve heat retention by keeping out drafts. They can also be used to reduce heat coming into a window. They can be made quickly with whatever materials are available.
To see out without others seeing in, your best option is a one-way mirror (or reflective) window film. These films use the balance of light to create a mirrored surface on the brighter side, giving you a clear view of the outdoors while rendering the window reflective from the outside.
To block intense solar heat while keeping your room bright, ditch standard heavy blackout drapes and opt for thermal sheers or light-colored, light-filtering cellular shades. These use reflective backings and tightly woven fabrics to bounce away infrared heat while beautifully diffusing natural daylight.
To block sunlight effectively, apply Static Cling Blackout Window Film directly to the glass, or cut Foam or Poster Board to fit the frame tightly. For easy on-and-off coverage, use Velcro Tape to attach blackout fabric or foil-laminated cardboard to your window sashes.