Here's my quick, El Cheapo solution for Sun/Heat blocking in FL this summer.
I was getting full sun almost all day through my rear window and side windsow's on the sofa side. Not to mention the heat from the skylights.
I just wanted an easy inexpensive fix for a a couple of months. So....I went out in search of what might do the trick. I found the Auto Shades in Wal-Mart in large and small. They are shiny aluminum on one side and pure white on the other. I then purchased velcro and 'white' duct tape for putting together two large shades for the rear.
Two large auto shades $2.88 each) were cut to fit the rear and taped them together across the middle (horizontal/on the inside). I then put small pieces of velcro (industrial strength I cut into little squares) in each corner of the window and one at the middle top and bottom. I cut small auto shades ($2.48 ea) to fit the side windows (no taping needed) and velcro in the corners.
The look from the outside is all shiny silver and from the inside, with the shades between the mini blinds and the window (inside) it looks like Shojie screens. I left a little opening at the bottom of the window on the side to look out if I need to.
Next I cut the shades to the size of the skylights and used long strips of velcro to attach to the rim of the sky lights.
I really like the effect. This may sound tacky to some, but it's really not. I am not in a park with especially attractive outside views right now so I don't mind not being able to see out the back and side windows. I still have the dining side and front and other side windows for light and now my AC cycles on and off instead of running constanly. I can no longer feel the heat coming off the windows.
When the hot, hot, days of summer are over, I'll just take them down and fold them up. Lightweight and easy to store. The velcro on the corner's of the windows is white and does not show through the mini blinds when the shades are removed.
Total cost of the project $17. My neighbor grabbed up the auto shade material I had left and made covers for her skylights.
The Cheap auto shades are the only ones I found with the white backing.
The inside Heat is greatly reduced, The shojie (sp) screen effect is quite cozy.
fla native
2004 2980RL (Miss Montana) towed by 2001 Dodge diesel
3500 (LadyRam)
Linear Mode
