SFGate

Emily Hurley Maybe plantation shutters? I've always loved them, particularly in ranch houses.

PH Interiors, LLC I prefer drapery in this situation. I'd recommend semi-sheer linen (or poly look alike for durability) on rods & rings for easy open and close. Extending the rod beyond the width of the sliders by about 10" on each side, you should be able to stack them back so they don't cover too much of the winodw. Semi-sheers will still allow for a glow of light but also provide a bit of protection from the heat. If you need more thermal insulation, you could go with lined linen draperies.

olldbobbi I have the exact same problem! Last year at 7 PM it hit 113 degrees, in the shade. I had the vinyl verticals but couldn't stand them, so I purchased 6 thermal panels and sewed them all together to make one long (really long!) grommet topped panel. Living rooms that face the west are a challenge, but better than the bedroom facing west!

If your windows are not already tinted, you can buy the smoky window film, it's easy to put on and it really does help.

yvonnecmartin I installed triple honeycomb blinds on my windows. Down, they provide great insulation from heat and cold; up, they almost disappear. They are on west windows, so if the sun is in our eyes when we are at the dining room table, I pull them just partway down. I still have my old vertical blinds over them because I like to have the space of the window broken up. I wouldn't say that they are particularly beautiful, but they solve the insulation problem nicely.

winnieboo thanks everyone. did any of you consider Hunter Davis sun shield shades? Electric that go up and down. My concern is if we want to go out the door. My husband says that if we have them down it will probably be too hot to go out anyway!