UV film to keep the heat out?

last year

I live in Michigan. I love the natural light in my foyer… what I don’t love is how hot it gets in the afternoons during summer when the sun comes in these west facing windows! I’ve considered blinds that are remote controlled but they are very expensive and the headrail is really bulky so it sticks out (inside mount) quite a bit from my shallow window frame (1 1/2” depth). Curtains I can’t open and close and I honestly think would look weird. I’m looking for information on uv film that works- keeps the heat out, lets the sun in! All thoughts and ideas welcome!

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Comments (8)

chispa
last year
UV film will void the warranty if your windows are new and still under warranty. If the windows are older, then it doesn't matter. We added film to several rooms in our previous house in CA. It did help with some of the heat gain, but we still had blinds on the windows.

We used Hunter Douglas Duette. They have a thinner headrail size that will blend in with your trim. Get battery operated with a remote.

In the house we built I went with fully automated blinds and they all open/close on a schedule to avoid the morning and/or afternoon sun. Love not having to run around the house opening or closing blinds!
Mary Elizabeth
last year
last modified: last year
IIRC, this company's film does NOT void window warranties -

Decorative Films, LLC.: UltraCool-S20-OSW Outside Weatherable Heat Rejection Film

Decorative Films, LLC.: SX-1975 Reflect Protect

Find an Installer | Professional Window Film Installation | Decorative Films

The companies website may have other options, as well.

ETA - Here's an older discussion on Houzz, and another film company.

Design Dilemmas | Houzz

Residential Window Film | LLumar
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Motorized Solar Shades
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
Solar shades motorized is the answer .
apple_pie_order
last year
If you decide not to go with window film:

Consider good quality, name-brand blinds with extra long tilt wands and convenient cords that you can easily reach from the staircase landing. They can be installed professionally.
Melissa E
Original Author
last year
Thank you for the suggestions! Motorized solar shades are very expensive. I’m going to have to save for a while to be able to afford those. I was hoping for a more budget friendly option, especially since we plan to move in the next 5-6 years…
apple_pie_order
last year
Many homeowners use paper blinds for years before getting "real" blinds. They run about $5 each at big box stores or Ikea. You can put them up in spring and take them down in fall if you have someone comfortable on a ladder.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
last modified: last year
Solar shades are inexpensive. You could just get those and keep them down all the time. I purchase mine special order from both Home Depot and JC Penney. The prices were modest.

JC Penney Solar Shades

Battery Operated Solar Blinds on Sale