Remember last year when I asked for help getting air flow through my vintage windows? We've given up in getting a breeze and have decided to focus on keeping the air that's already in the house cool (hopefully before it starts warping our records). Regina's post this morning on Shade Sails caught my attention and suddenly I found myself searching through the world of sun screen material.

Sun shade material is intended for use outdoors around pools, decks or patios and is a mesh that blocks out an estimated 75% of the sun, reducing temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees. 5 degrees doesn't sound like a lot, though 15 sure is and even if we averaged out somewhere between the two, the ability to keep the direct sun out (and those harsh rays that come from it) is enough to make me stand up and do a jig (aren't you sad I don't web cam).

Although my own space (which has ridiculously tall windows) is a bit unusual there's tons of applications for it around your own home. It would be great for a rooms that face the setting sun or spaces where curtains just aren't cutting it (or the sun is lightening your fabrics). With folks living in old warehouses and odd spaces with unusual windows, this is a great product to keep in mind. It's available in all sorts of colors and prints, so don't be turned off by the thought of black.

It's been sold on actual roller blinds for years, but they can be super pricey. Instead, I'm ok with changing them out each season to let the light and welcomed heat in come winter and keeping it out in summer. Sure having it work via remote control would be cool, but it makes each window panel only a few bucks in an average home instead of several hundred. I'll gladly add grommets to keep the price down!

Find Sun Shade Screen Material At The Locations Below
• New York Wire 48"X100' Char Sunscreen
• Easy Gardener Inc 6X150 Blk Shade Cloth
• 54'' Wide Waverly Sun N Shade Lovely Lattice Lagoon Fabric
• 6x12' Black Shade Fabric

Image: Hunter Douglas, Amazon