My 84 year-old Mom lives in an apartment with the Den window facing the
west, which gets really hot in TX. She has the darkened curtains but they
don't block heat or enough light. Can someone recommend a
blind/curtain/covering? Its 84W by 66 tall. Each window is actually two
windows with four panes each.

mike

James Lewis wrote:
My 84 year-old Mom lives in an apartment with the Den window facing the
west, which gets really hot in TX. She has the darkened curtains but they
don't block heat or enough light. Can someone recommend a
blind/curtain/covering? Its 84W by 66 tall. Each window is actually two
windows with four panes each.

mike

Don't know about specific products, but:

Use a white curtain to block heat.
To block light, an additional darker curtain could be used, but the
white curtain should be nearer the window.

Mark

"James Lewis" wrote in message
news:84xbg.141$ix2.41@trnddc03...
My 84 year-old Mom lives in an apartment with the Den window facing the
west, which gets really hot in TX. She has the darkened curtains but they
don't block heat or enough light. Can someone recommend a
blind/curtain/covering? Its 84W by 66 tall. Each window is actually two
windows with four panes each.

mike


solar screens on the outside will help, look at the ~90% and above ones.
They will have to be removed every winter. Check with the building
manager/owner before you purchase.

On Sat, 20 May 2006 04:39:32 GMT, "James Lewis"
wrote:

My 84 year-old Mom lives in an apartment with the Den window facing the
west, which gets really hot in TX. She has the darkened curtains but they
don't block heat or enough light. Can someone recommend a
blind/curtain/covering? Its 84W by 66 tall. Each window is actually two
windows with four panes each.

External shutters. Stop the light and heat BEFORE it gets inside.

"Goedjn" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 20 May 2006 04:39:32 GMT, "James Lewis"
wrote:

My 84 year-old Mom lives in an apartment with the Den window facing the
west, which gets really hot in TX. She has the darkened curtains but they
don't block heat or enough light. Can someone recommend a
blind/curtain/covering? Its 84W by 66 tall. Each window is actually two
windows with four panes each.

External shutters. Stop the light and heat BEFORE it gets inside.

Shutters would be easiest for a 84 YO woman to operate. Some vendors even
make automatic operation. An Awning would also give similar shading without
closing off the window.

If she is more mobile (or has a helper) and less wealthy, you can make
window inserts out of polystyrene insulating boards. Just cut the rigid
foam to fit in the window and cover with fabric to make it look nice. These
work great in the winter too but in both cases cut off all the light.

Another option is to line the inside of the curtains (or window) with
Metallized Mylar (that silvery plastic wrap like stuff they use for
emergency blankets). It is lightweight, very cheap (Wal-Mart camping dept)
and will reflect light as well as a mirror (almost). Only drawback is it
sounds crinkly if you move it when you operate the curtains.