We recently came across a peek into Architect Rebecca Rudolph and Designer Colin Thompson's home. They've recently remodeled their self described "tear down" and morphed it into a much larger and inviting space. With the renovation came more space and more windows &mdash which is great, but also a challenge.
The couple are fortunate to now have large windows and doors that lead to their backyard, but, they needed to find a way to keep the house cool. The amount of sunlight and heat let in by large windows is astonishing and few people know how to tackle the problem.
Because sunlight is coveted in most homes and is a key factor in the buying process &mdash it's important to utilize removable options. Rebecca chose an unlikely option that we found surprising and enlightening.
She purchased a see-through protective welding curtain &mdash a fantastic alternative to heavy, bulky curtains. The curtain is designed to be a protective shield when welding, but it serves the same purpose with the sun. It helps to block harmful UV rays, as well as keep a better part of the sunlight out to keep the house cool. What's great is that it's see-through so the couple didn't have to worry about compromising their view.
The see-through protective welding curtain was purchased for about $100, and was then cut to fit the window perfectly!
How do you keep the sun out?
(Images: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times)
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Comments (23)
Wow, i like the look.
I live in Arizona and sunlight in my home is quite abundant. I am not a lover of blackout curtains, so this would be a great alternative.
I am going to give it a try.
Couple is a singular noun. The first sentence should say, the couple "was" not "were". Sorry, I'm an editor.
Annnnnyway, I love this idea.
That is a really cool idea - I have massive windows that let in a lot of sun (and heat), so I've been keeping my curtains closed all the time. I hate coming home to a dark home, so this seems like a really good compromise.
I really like it too! What color did they get; is that a green curtain?
3M amoung other companies have and install UV blocking window films that also render the glass break resistant, preventing burglaries. The visible spectrum blocked is substantially less than the welding curtain above, though different shading is available. We have window films on all our windows, and the shading's not noticable at all.
greenmeansgo must be an American editor, hmm?
perfidia---
Lol!
And technically, it's the fourth sentence. :)
These curtains are great! It was pointed out to me that they would also prevent fading of things in the space because they are designed specifically to block UV.
We have solar roller shades from Smith and Noble in our Cliff May house. More expensive but the welder's curtain wouldn't work in our situation. Thankfully, the previous owner bought them.
good idea, but it looks too much like a shower curtain to me. I like the fabric of solar blinds better.
I've added layers over the years--tinting, vinyl cling film, pleated shades, horizontal blinds, and curtain panels. The latest layer has been foam insulation board concealed by other layers over the viewless southern windows. The guest room has hard-to-find functional black out curtain panels for migraines. It's hard to keep all of that dust-free. I'd prefer clean, simple lines.
Canopy has been lost to hurricanes and anyway I don't want trees over my home. The three eastern glass doors may soon be upgraded to impact-rated, energy-efficient ones. I doubt that we'll upgrade the many windows. My husband vetoed on aesthetic grounds my suggestion to convert some windows to wall. I'll watch this thread for constructive ideas.
P.S. The see-through protective welding curtain is new to me, and looks like a promising option, lighter-looking than the interior shutters I'd considered.
Isn't vinyl all off-gassy?
Wonder what they smell like when they heat up...probably not noticeable, or the lesser of many evils when welding, but in a closed-up house setting?
I bought solar shades last fall for all of my south facing windows. Our building was repainted and the HOA covenants state that screens are the homeowners responsibility so rather than repaint the rotting old screens I invested in new aluminum framed screens and opted for solar fabric for the south facing windows. Since the screens cover two-thirds of each window they seem quite effective so far. An added bonus is that it is harder to see through them from the exterior offering me a bit more privacy since my bedroom is in the south corner.
What a great idea!
@paypervu, I don't know about vinyl(?) welding curtains, but don't put vinyl cling film over a southern window in Miami, or when winter arrives you'll wonder whether a corpse is hidden in the room. The vinyl cling film is odor-free year-round when used on the northern side of my home.
We called a car tinting company & plan to have them tint our windows that face the sun. They do a lot of homes & said that's most of their business.
re grammar - "Subsequently, the couple is fortunate to have etc., etc.
re the screen, I really dislike pictures that cutoff the top or bottom of a subject. I'd like to see how the screen is installed.
Skeemer, are you in NYC? If so, please share I'm desperately in need of some protection in my livingroom.
Has anyone ever used Home Depot "sunscreen" that is a ribbed charcoal described as "an affordable shading fabric that reduces solar heat gain in the summer and also reduces heat loss in the winter. It blocks up to 70% of the sun's heat and glare and increases daytime privacy. The screen has a unique ribbed appearance. Blocks up to 70 percent of the sun's heat and glare Increases daytime privacy Offers good air ventilation and outward visibility This is an affordable shading fabric that reduces solar heat gain in the summer and also reduces heat loss in the winter. It blocks up to 70% of the sun's heat and glare and increases daytime privacy. The screen has a unique ribbed appearance.
This is an affordable shading fabric that reduces solar heat gain in the summer and also reduces heat loss in the winter. It blocks up to 70% of the sun's heat and glare and increases daytime privacy. The screen has a unique ribbed appearance.
Blocks up to 70 percent of the sun's heat and glare
Increases daytime privacy
Offers insect protection
Offers good air ventilation and outward visibility
I'm saw the original article in the LA Times last year and wondered the same thing I'm wondering now....doesn't that vinyl curtain give off a ton of gasses? Especially when it's hot?
And isn't it extra hot in the house when the sun is strong?
It doesn't prevent the heat from getting in the house, it's just between the curtain and the window. I think it would be better to have something shading the window from the outside - a rollup shade, a tree, etc.
Very interesting! I have 3 huge windows in the front of my apartment that get direct sun. Add the heat of the sun and south in the mix and my apartment is a sauna! I really like this concept however it wouldn't work in my current space, but its certainly something to consider in the future since I'm drawn to homes flooded in natural sunlight :)