Are there any overhangs on the exterior of the south side of the house? For example, the eaves on my second floor south side are 32" deep and in summer, no sun enters my upstairs room with french doors. None. In winter, yes because the sun is lower, but this time of year, it's not an issue.

North side shouldn't requite solar shades and east side may or may not depending on what's outside as the east side only gets sun until about 11 AM in FL.

We face due east, The balcony/sliders are shaded with an overhang, but there are two windows without eaves or overhang on either side, and then the north and south are also exposed. Bad pictures below. (Edit: you can see the taped up paper shades that my BF is using now -- so anything will be better!)

Which direction do the balcony/sliders face? Due east?

I wouldn't be concerned about the north windows because they never get direct light. Just doesn't happen.

It's summer now. Are the south windows letting in a lot of light? I'd be surprised if they are.

Today, just 3 days after the summer solstice, there is sunlight coming in the south window (we're in northern Florida, so a bit different than where you are). Both east-facing windows next to the covered sliders also get direct sunlight. The north-facing window isn't a problem, but it would look odd to have shades on three sides, given the design of the windows in each corner of the room.

You will see more of the view with the gray/bronze shades when compared to the white shades. Select your percentage of OPENESS

Thanks ,Beverly! So basically any solar shade, 10% in gray or bronze? Any recommended brand for a clean contemporary look?

I would stick with one of the better brands like Hunter Douglas.

Thanks, CP... the irony is that we have top-down/bottom-ups on our west-facing windows from Hunter Douglas and have had bad experiences with them. They keep fixing them, which is great, but they also keep breaking. On the 4th repair of one, we all agreed that regular bottom-up is the most reliable, and I commend them for replacing them at all!

I purchase my shades from JC Penney and HD. There are very few companies that make the actual mesh Pfeiffer I believe. So the only issue is the roller and whether your mechanism has a chain or is chainless.

Think solar screens. Mounted over the windows on the exterior. Best to stop the heat before it gets indoors.

I’ve used solar screens (exterior) with much heat and sunlight reduction. The view is the same as looking through regular screens but a tad darker. Personally I’m interested in the solar blinds - Beverly— so you can adjust the amount of sunlight to enter? I’m thinking like the windows on the 787 Dreamliner aircraft?? Thanks!

Wow -- not sure where my response was to Ci_lantro. These windows are 2.5 stories up, and ocean-facing, so they need to be hurricane-ready. In other words, I need indoor solutions, especially since they won't be used during the cooler months.

It's these windows, plus the matching one on the south side

Are there out door solutions that will double as window protection in the hurricane season?.. do you live there year round?

I was thinking of the Bahama shades… if the windows to the rear are not important view points

The windows face the ocean with an amazing view -- that's why I want solar shades that allow the view. The windows are impact-glass, rated at 180 mph, so we don't cover for hurricanes.

When we lived in South Carolina we had an interior window film professionally applied that significantly reduced heat and glare. I believe it was made by 3m. That may be a helpful in addition to shades.

The problem with the window film is it also will reduce light during the times you want it. Great product though. I used their opaque film so people can't look into the windows in my garage and a textured film for the doors on my elevator and a semi opaque film from them on my water closet.

Their technicians will come and apply the film.

That's correct -- in the winter, we want all the solar gain we can get -- for the past two winters, we didn't need to turn on the heat at all (again, northern Florida, so it is cool!)

Again, for many reasons, I am looking for a solution for inside the house, on the four windows that have views I wish to maintain, but be able to open up once things cool off.