San Francisco Bay Area - Cutting the heat without losing the view

by photogirlla

Cutting the heat without losing the view

I just bought a house in Southern California and the master bedroom has a huge custom window with great views, but it faces south. While it's cold this is wonderful but it is going to be very unpleasant when it is 70° outside -- it will be 90 inside. What kind of window coverings could I get to save the view and cut the heat? I was thinking plantation shutters, but that would definitely be a custom job and our money is tight as the bathrooms and kitchens also need help. The previous owner had floor-to-ceiling curtains which I couldn't stand the pattern of, so I turned them inside out for the time being, they are thermal. Would several layers of white thermal and silks work? Are there any kind of see-through shades or curtains that are known to cut heat but still allow you to see out? I want the room to be pale blue whites and silvers. Any ideas welcome. Last shot is view from my bed. And yes I'm going to get rid of the big cherry fan and curtain rods, replace them with white or silver, though a the fan will clearly be a necessity.
Thanks!

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designideas4me I live in so. cal. too. The hot part.......inland. I put on heat and light reflective tinting. You can get it at home depot. Its cheap. Gives a nice subtle darkening effect and keeps the heat out.

5 months ago · Like ·

designideas4me Hey another thing I did was get shade screens made for many of the windows that face south. It cuts the heat too. Also the people who used to own the house had valances made for outside the windows to cut heat but it was too traditional for me but I bet they make lots of styles now.

5 months ago · Like

designideas4me But if you are in the IE you know its in the 100s in the summer and you need a/c and blinds really to keep that heat out and the bills down. no other solution to that sun.

5 months ago · Like

olldbobbi We did the same thing as designideas4me (the window film), it's made a huge difference in the amount of heat that comes into that side of the house. I'm in NorCal, and last year the temp hit 113 for two weeks straight. The windows were in better shape than I was, that's for sure.

5 months ago · Like ·

blindsdirectcanada I would suggest going with a Cellular shade it will defiantley help keep the heat out. Hunter Douglas makes a cellular shade in the arch windows above to match the bottom of the window . I recommend the cellular because its not very expensive it looks amazing and the heat and light control its amazing!!

http://www.blindsdirectcanada.com/blinds-toronto/cellular-shades.html

5 months ago · Like

Interiors International, Inc. designideas4me, has it right. I use it all the time for my clients in FL.

5 months ago · Like

Kira Nguyen Have you considered using Solar Shades? I've heard that they're good at keeping heat out without completely losing the light and view. I'd definitely look into it as an option! :)

5 months ago · Like ·