Message Boards

Hi, everyone, I usually post in the Home/Real Estate message boards but this question doesn't belong there so hope you will help.

Have a two-story house on 8 acres plus - with lots of windows on the south side overlooking a river, valley and mountains. Bought from original owner who had it custom built in 1997 - came with vertical floor-ceiling blinds but one of them has came down - 5'x10' and I am holding off putting it back up.

Why? I'm not really fond of the style of blinds but realize we NEED something on the windows to cut the glare, heat and sun. Altogether, for the two rooms (we'll deal with the other rooms later) - there are 3-10x5, 2-8x5 and three sets of sliding doors (to deck and patio - standard size) that are also covered by the existing blinds.

Any suggestions re window treatments? We bought this place for the view so any treatments need to take that into consideration... not going to sacrifice the view for inside "pretty" - any ideas?

What about something like this?

http://www.houzz.com/photos/38...edroom-san-francisco

Solar shades. You can get them in the highest openness factor so that you can still see the view, but a significant portion of the UV rays are blocked. If your window enclosure is deep enough, you can mount them inside the window with a small covering at the top so that they are almost invisible when raised. The material comes wide enough that you shouldn't have to have a seam. I understand that the black color preserves the view the best, but I don't like the look, so I have an off-white version.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Graciepj,

IR can you post pics of your home so we can see your style of decorating and the windows in question?

I have solar shades...perfect for your situation. And they will cut them to any size. When you don't need them, they roll up out of view.

I agree with both ideas... Long beautiful, diaphonous drapes with or without simple solar panel roller shades.

quote:

Originally posted by Graciepj:
Solar shades. You can get them in the highest openness factor so that you can still see the view, but a significant portion of the UV rays are blocked. If your window enclosure is deep enough, you can mount them inside the window with a small covering at the top so that they are almost invisible when raised. The material comes wide enough that you shouldn't have to have a seam. I understand that the black color preserves the view the best, but I don't like the look, so I have an off-white version.

Graciepj, Do you have pictures of the off-white solar panels?

IR: Yes, Pictures! We like pictures!

zone9alady: you, too.
I would love to see what you've got.

It's hard to take pictures of the ones in my current house because I just have a little point and shoot camera and the windows are on the west side of the house. The pictures all come out looking overexposed and you can't see any detail.

Mine look similar to the ones in the picture below except that I have a fabric covered cornice box that covers the top of the window trim and the shade roller.

OK here's a front window with just a small molding to hide the solar shade.....

with the solar shade down....see, you can still see though it pretty good I have 14% visibility shades. But no one can see in during the day.

Here's one of two in the kitchen, the shade roll is behind the awning...

and with the shade down...it really helps with the heat coming in from the west side in the afternoon.

I too have solar shades covering 2 sets of sliders that face SE and since we live on the lake wanted to still have a diffused view. I had a cornice board made to hide shades when rolled up. I took this picture on cloudy day , but you can see the difference in the door panels.

I'm a little late, but thought I'd share.

We have large windows in our FR and MBR. I have Silhouette shades and love them. I have them option of them being closed when the am sun is shining in, I can open them all the way (they go into a "casing") or I can open so that the "inside" is open and it diffused the light.

Found an old photo taken in the evening, but you can see what they look like closed and the window on the right, the one is open all the way.

Hope this helps.......

janice

I love seeing the pictures, it's helpful to see how the white solar panels are different from the brown. thanks for sharing

Oh my, I am so embarrassed! Posted this thread and then forgot to check back as I'm usually on the Real Estate or Home boards. I really do appreciate all of your helpful suggestions.

And a big THANK YOU to Jewel for letting me know about everyone's responses! Plus, Jewel, I really loved that link you posted! The floor-to-ceiling drapes are gorgeous but, with six in-door only felines (two of which are Maine Coons with a "fur-issue"), not sure they would be practical but, boy, are they beautiful.

I've been thinking about the Solar Shades so was glad to get so many positive responses about them - they might very well be what we eventually go with but I also liked the Silhoutte shades as well.

Thanks, everyone, you have helped me narrow down the treatments I will be looking for in the future - don't be surprised if I come back in a few months for more help...

Appreciate the time everyone took to help me out when this was my first thread ever on this board! Thanks!