Good Questions: Shady Fabric for My Window??

Hello AT,

There is no wall insulation in our F&#!?-ing condo and we are on the top (4th) floor. Our living room windows face west, get unbearably hot in the afternoon, and retain the heat throughout the evening.

Where can I buy (in small yardage) a drapeable sunscreen fabric in rich colors that would be as effective as shade cloth in keeping out the sun but elegant enough to make floor-to-ceiling curtains out of?

Thanks, Mardi

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Dear Mardi,

for shading we always recommed solar shades, which are a finely woven vinyl roller-type shade. You can see them here at Smith and Noble. We also saw some cheaper, ready to install versions at Bed, Bath and Beyond last weekend if you are near one of those.

As far as hanging fabric goes, we would recommend NOT using a synthetic and going with a light cotton or linen. Natural fibers are much more healthy to live with, are easily manipulated to shade the sun and can be washed. Pottery Barn has a great selection of affordable sheer curtains in a number of colors. For fabric in or around NYC, go to Harry Zarin , Joe's Fabric or B&J Fabrics or Fabric.com

Anyone else?

Comments (4)

Check out blinds.com's sheerweave sliding panels. These are "solar panels" that slide side to side rather than roll. They may not offer the rich tones you are looking for; we have them in a chalk or ecru tone. They are available in different densities and "weaves' so you can choose how much light you want to block.

They'll probably run about 1/3 the price of Smith and Noble.

Ikea has started selling these as well, but they didn't look as well made nor were they customized as they are at blinds.com

Let us know what you choose.

Phil(ip)

This may sound crazy but perhaps you could do your curtains in a heavy fabric like velvet or wool felt and then actually draw the curtains in the day when the sun is too hot (rather than install them as decorative panels). This may sound like a rather antiquated solution but I bet it would be rather effective.

Phifer Sheerweave is the way to go, for sure. I ordered 8 huge shades bestblinds.com earlier this year. THey have great prices and we're pretty quick on delivery (considering everything is custom). THere are a few stores in NYC that carry it, but I would only recommend visiting them to pick colors, etc. definately buy online.

could someone give me an idea of just how much if any (nighttime) privacy is afforded by the phifer sheerweave?

for example, if i get a shade with an openness factor of 10%, how much will people be able to see at night? if i'm standing at my sink in my bra and underwear doing dishes at night, will people be able to see a vague outline of a human form—or will they be able to see a woman in her bra and underwear? this concerns me.

thanks in advance for a response.