Need a solution to cut brightness of direct sun in my living room.
by
Carol Cary
+8
I get direct afternoon sun in my living room. I have two large Patio doors. Each has mini blinds That come with apt. In order to fit the same, but have light filtering they would have to special made/ cut. I hate mini blinds and would love another solution.
I did have an outside roll down blind on my small deck, but they aren't made well within my budget And dont hold up well with this also being the weather side of the building.
Does anyone know of an alternative, not curtains or plastic film, that I could put on the inside Windows without totaling blocking my view, yet get rid of some of the brightness.
Appreciate any suggestions.
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What you need in that case is a tree
there are different strengths of shade fabric available, and you can cover the window from the inside by making a box frame to fit arround the existing window. And stapling your choice of the the shade strength On it. One shade cloth is actually white to clear In color. Check prices between agricultural sources and big box diy.
I know you said you didn't want plastic film, but we had the same problem across the back of our house during certain times of the year when the path of the sun changes. Our bedroom and office were along there and it was especially a problem in the office because the desk computer faced a wall next to the windows. In the afternoon, you couldn't see the computer screen. We put anti-glare film that we got at Lowes across the top of the back window and it made HUGE difference. Later we created a reading corner in our bedroom and had the same issue. Once again we got the film and it worked perfectly. The one we got was Gila Glare Control Window Film. This is the same one that we got on Amazon, but with the shipping so high, I'd look locally first https://smile.amazon.com/Gila-Glare-Control-Static-Window/dp/B00Y1QCB2O/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1506330787&sr=8-12&keywords=Gila+glare+control
So it's peel & cling so it can be removed. Clean the window, measure your piece with a little extra that you can trim off. Wet the window, put on the cling. Wet the surface facing you, smooth the top, then down the sides. Use a squeegee or even a credit card to smooth it on and remove bubbles. Then trim the sides. Make sure the bottom is smooth then trim that too. We used a utility knife with a fresh blade, but they do have a kit you can buy with "their" tools. We did fine without it. I absolutely love it because it lets in the sunlight but not the glare. I have sheers on the bedroom window and blinds on the office window. The sun used to peek through the blinds when using the computer, now it's fine.
We've had the office one for about 2 years and the bedroom one for about 1 year. We have no problems. It was easy to put up and you don't even know it's there. I noticed they now have Gray or Bronze. (Ours says Smoke) I don't know if that would make a difference. Ours was 10' but I noticed they also have 15' now. With a patio door, it would take more than one sheet across which I'm guessing is the issue, but I had to put it out there because it worked so well for us.
Good luck!
ps....I have the black knitted shade cloth covering the exterior of my windows...the ac could not keep up with iowa temps and humidity. My window have a flange arround them and I used binder clips to hold them in place. No problem seeing out. Honestly, its better to have them on the out side of the glass
I've used sheers. Mine had a pattern on them so it wasn't just plain. It cut down the brightness and also gave us some privacy. You could also buy wide wooden blinds. They come in a variety of colors, or along the same idea, plantation shutters but they tend to be pricey.
I have a canvas type roman shade on my living room window. It filters the light and makes it possible to keep the curtains open. However, when the sun sets, I close the curtains, or the glare is terrible. I put window film in my kitchen and although I wasn't sure I would like it,I truly do. So, I may go the same route with that window. Sometimes, you just have to layer the window dressings to get the level of light you want. I also have cellular shades in the bedrooms, and I love them, but, they are pricey if you're renting. They filter the light and keep the room temperature nice.
Good luck! Let us know how it turned out for you!
Hello again, Sorry, You didn't say you were not on the ground floor. Maybe Net or Lace Curtains or Voile......
Sorry. Thanks for suggestions.