Thanks for your response! The need for sun control does make more sense. Sorry that my post was so long and I realized that as I was writing it I was talking myself into the solar shades.

Privacy is not an issue and I guess there are roller shades that can go over the solars for some black out effect. My installer was talking to me about her experience installing solar shades in the exercise room of a home that faced the sun. She said that as soon as they started putting them up they could feel the temperature cooling right away. That sounds like what we need.

Solar shades come in varying openness factors. The densest is blackout. I have them on all of my west-facing windows and they make a huge difference in the temperature of the room. The difficulty is if you want a more open weave for the daytime and a blackout weave for nighttime. You can install two separate shades if your windows are deep enough or you can install one inside mount and one outside mount, but that gets pricy.

I only have cellular shades on one bathroom window where I wanted to be able to change the openness factor. I don't know about the heat protection because that window doesn't face west.

Hi goodbyekitty

Cellular shades are one of the best energy efficient window treatments on the market. The hot or cold air is trapped in the cells as it transferrs through your glass, plus they look better than solar shades. You can instantly feel the difference right after it's installed. Here's a link that has more info

Here is a link that might be useful: Energy Efficient Blinds

Hey Bob, I went to your site and read the link. Question: how much of a thermal barrier can you get from a light-filtering honeycomb blind? I understand that the room darkening versions are better, but I don't want that much light to be blocked.

Hi graywings

I don't have any numbers as far as how much of a barrier the light filtering are, but I can tell you this. On a hot sunny day, that heat is pounding on my face as I'm installing brackets but after it's mounted and lowered, I feel my skin cooling of as I feel the instant relief.
The double cell block out even more hot or cold air.

Thanks Bob!

Lol! Do you know how many times I've switched my decision since I posted this? I have an appointment on Monday and I've got 4 different sample books sitting on my pool table of honeycomb shades and solar.

My interior decorator said that I could do honeycomb now since the summer heat is becoming less of an issue, and then do the solar shades next spring. So ForHGTV, that is a good idea! That way the cost is spreadout over a couple of seasons. I can't wait to take down the old drapes that came with the house.

Wonderful EcoSmart Roller/Solar shades!

Waterworks Food and Drink · More Info

and amazing EcoSmart Cellular insulating shades. We've done the math...cellular shades will pay you back in 3-5 years with your energy bills. That's pretty cooool. (Get it? Cool?)

EcoSmart Cellular shades · More Info

I prefer solar shades. These ones specifically: https://shadesshop.com/products/solar-shades Have you tried them before to compare to other brands?