To keep sunlight out of a room, you can use window coverings such as curtains, blinds, or shades. For a cheap solution that works well, you can use aluminum foil or heavy-duty black-out curtains. Aluminum foil can be easily applied to the windows with double-sided tape or glue, and it effectively blocks out sunlight.
Operable Window Coverings
Options include shades, blinds, screens, awnings, draperies or curtains, and shutters. Operable window shades help control daylighting.
Cellular Shades
They're one of the best window coverings to keep heat out and to keep cold out. Cellular shades come in a wide range of colors.
Use blinds to keep your home cool
They block almost all sunlight and keep your home cooler. Blackout blinds also have a special side that reflects sunlight, keeping heat out. Some, like cellular shades, have a unique design that traps air and stops heat from coming in through the windows.
Increase the Shade
Adding window treatments is one of the easiest ways to keep sunlight from heating your living space. Curtains or drapes with a reflective or light-colored backing would do the best job since they won't absorb extra heat. In addition, you can consider getting adjustable blinds or a roller-type shade.
Solar heat absorption: The plastic film absorbs a significant amount of the sun's heat energy that would normally be reflected away by the glass. Heat trapping: The absorbed heat is then trapped inside the plastic layer, creating a warm microclimate between the plastic and the window glass.
Blinds Versus Curtains
In general, curtains are better for retaining heat in the home. However, by choosing a thermal blind you can reduce heat loss from your home by 20-40%, while thermal curtains reduce heat loss by just 25%-30%.
Large west, east and north-facing windows should be shaded for increased energy efficiency. External shading is much more effective at keeping your home cool than internal blinds or curtains, as it stops the heat reaching the glass, but using both external and internal window coverings will provide maximum protection.
Spreading tin foil on any windows that receive direct sunlight can redirect the sun and heat away from your home. While it may introduce a somewhat space-age aesthetic to your household, it's a cheap and temporary fix to the problem of extreme heat.
Basically: 1) Paint plywood black and place it on the inside (with the black side facing the exterior), so that the window just looks like a dark room from the exterior of the house. 2) Install insulation and drywall inside.
3M Prestige Series: The 3M Prestige Series is a top choice for homeowners looking to reduce heat while maintaining the natural light and aesthetics of their windows. These films use multi-layered, optical film technology to reject up to 97% of the sun's infrared light and up to 60% of the heat from windows.
Does putting cardboard on windows keep heat out? Yes. The structure of corrugated cardboard also traps air, creating insulation. Decorate the cardboard for a homier feel.
According to the HowToGoSolar, a free online resource geared toward educating homeowners on the benefits of solar power and energy efficiency, bubble wrapped windows show insulating improvements that are 50% better on single-glazed windows, cutting utility bills almost in half.
Close curtains and blinds
Something like 30% of unwanted heat comes in your windows so keeping curtains and blinds closed will help, especially during peak sunlight hours and on windows that face the sun. Some roller blinds are designed to let you see out while still blocking those rays.
Thick curtains are one of the main ways to protect your house from losing heat through the windows. Curtains with a thermal lining are a relatively cheap option, says Brennand. "The thicker the better," adds Archna Luthra, consumer analyst at moneysavingexpert.com.
The best window covering to keep heat out typically combines functionality with energy efficiency. Cellular shades are highly regarded for their ability to insulate windows, thanks to their honeycomb structure that traps air. Blackout curtains are another effective option to block sunlight and reduce heat.
What's the point of using plastic wrap? Plastic wrap is a great solution to save money when you have drafty windows. Plastic does an excellent job of keeping the heat from escaping if it stays intact.
If you are in a pinch, bubble wrap is an excellent insulator for summer windows. Simply spray a light mist of water on your windows, and lay bubble wrap against them to act as another layer of glass. The bubble wrap will stick as long as you need, and it works to keep the hot out and the cold in.