Looking for condo window covering ideas

[metallicat]

My apartment gets blisteringly hot in the summer. My windows face west, and it can routinely get to 95F inside according to my thermometer. I don't have central air, and while I have a portable air conditioner it isn't effective enough.

I saw these Coolaroo shade things at Costco. Apparently you install them on the outside, but I don't know how good they are. I also don't know if I can really instal anything major on the outside due to living in a condo.

Anyone have suggestions on window coverings of some sort, or just general ideas on keeping a place somewhat cool?

[CrusaderPi]

I think local custom for your area is tin foil. Shiny side out.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by CrusaderPi

I think local custom for your area is tin foil. Shiny side out.

Also effective for marijuana grow ops I believe.

[tete]

The only thing I can think of is blackout curtains. The one caution is to check your condo bylaws before you do anything - they may have rules as to what colour your window coverings are - I know ours do.

[SebC]

Going on the outside is probably impractical as a condo dweller, but you can get some cellular shades that will still reflect a lot of light back outside your unit and also insulate your place so the A/C works better.

[metallicat]

I like the idea of cellular shades having now googled them. Does most of the heat come in from the windows? I live on the top floor (which certainly doesn't help), but if I get good window coverings like these cellular things, am I going to notice a big difference?

[redforever]

You can get really good Roman shades, with a heat resistant lining. They fit snug inside the window, look great, and keep a lot of heat out. I have them and not only do I have west windows, I also have south windows. Keep them down from about noon on, will make a big difference.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I like the idea of cellular shades having now googled them. Does most of the heat come in from the windows? I live on the top floor (which certainly doesn't help), but if I get good window coverings like these cellular things, am I going to notice a big difference?

In my apartment, heat comes from the window and from electronics (especially the oven - duh). Good blinds should make a pretty big difference though, especially if you currently don't have any blinds. Even bad ones will.

My parents recently installed some and they were really simple... cut to the length you need, mount inside the window frames, cordless and silver lined on the inside (makes them very effective at keeping light out, which in the day/summer means keeping heat out - be warned that these will cut the light you get a lot - you might want something that lets some light and heat through to balance the effects).

You might also consider switch your lightbulbs to CFLs, though I'm not sure how big the impact of that would be.

[Northendzone]

Might want to look into getting you windows tinted

[Mass_nerder]

You can get coatings applied to the inside of your windows to block out the heat, but continue to allow daylight in.

[Hans Landa]

Cellular shades are what you want, though they can get expensive.

I've had them in my last home and have them in order for my new one.
They have an R-value of 5 or so and do a great job of keeping the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer.

The blackout option fabrics are lined for the best insulation properties but there are good semi-opaque and opaque options as well.
If you want to be able to open them and maintain some privacy, get ones that go top down.

Shade O Matic make these and they are made in Canada.
Hunter Douglas have smoother operating mechanisms and more fabric color choices, but you'll pay A LOT more.

[metallicat]

Thanks guys, I'll start pricing some of theses options out. For comfort level in the summer, a high cost might be worth it.

[Sliver]

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ362581945

I'd give you a good deal on these if you decide to go with a more economical option.

[killer_carlson]

Check your condo bylaws closely.

Even more so if you rent

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

Anyone have suggestions on window coverings of some sort, or just general ideas on keeping a place somewhat cool?

[Ashartus]

Heat-blocking window films are definitely an option. But the heat may not all be from sunlight. If you have hot water heating that is often the biggest cause of excessively hot condos/apartments in my personal experience. Also, in some newer buildings the pipes delivering hot water to units above you are not insulated which can cause problems (apparently code doesn't require it, so to cut costs some builders don't do it).