Help with window treatments for world's most difficult windows!

14 years ago

last modified: 14 years ago

The attached photo is NOT my window, but it's similar and thought it might help you visualize. Sadly, I can't copy these window treatments as my windows are in-swing French casement windows (with in-swing transom as well) rather than these double-hung, and have the windows positioned on the inner wall surface. My walls are about 25" thick stone so the recess is lovely and deep, but it needs to stay empty to allow the frequent opening and closing of the shutters which are behind the windows, and which fold into the wall recess. Our screens are flush with the exterior wall surface.

My problem with two of these windows (living room and master bedroom) is that they not only face a public walkway (at eye level) but also the hot Greek morning sun. And since this is a summer house for us, most of the season we're in it, all windows are wide open.

How in heavens name can I keep the full ventilation, but still have some privacy? I'd love any help anyone could offer!

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Comments (4)

gmellow
14 years ago
Exterior solar shades might work for you. They mount on the outside of the window like bug screens, so no issue with the in-swing. Solar screen material is denser than bug mesh so they will provide some privacy, especially during the day. To see how this works check out Quality Screens on the web (FYI -I have no affiliation with that company but have solved a similar issue at my place).
amw58
14 years ago
Have you considered adding your window treatments on the inside, applied to the interior wall, rather than trying to fit them inside the cavity of the window opening? You could add a simple rod with sheer curtains or go with something more formal if you prefer.
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portpiro
14 years ago
Both these suggestions are good solutions. I have mesh awnings on my windows that allow the breeze to come through and through which I can still enjoy the view. They would provide privacy as well. Another alternative is matchstick blinds on the outside that can be raised and lowered. If you kept them rolled down to about 2' from the bottom then passer bys would have to bend over to see in. Do the windows fold back against the interior wall when open? If so then sheers on a black metal rod with rings would provide privacy and ventilation but not help much with hot sun. But then I expect you close the shutters anyway when it's hot.
annoulaxeni
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks for the suggestions so far! From the top: gmellow, if exterior solar shades are denser, I'd expect them to change the nature of the light in the room, perhaps for the worst, no? Also, my real privacy issues are night-time with interior lighting on.

amw58, what I now have are inside window treatments (simple pull curtains). I'm drawn to inside the window recess (like in the photo I attached) because the recess is such a pretty addition to the 'real estate' of the room, especially at night with soft lighting in the recess.

Portpiro, my problem with matchstick per se (love their simplicity aesthetically) is that they don't provide real night-time privacy. Yes, the windows fold back against the interior wall when open, or at least to a large extent they do. Yes, I end up back with sheers too as they are easy and washable and will not hugely degrade with the sun and, yes, we close the shutters when the sun really bears down ...