Home Garden

How to Block Sunshine From a High Window

High windows look nice and add extra light to your rooms, but at certain times of the year, the sunlight entering your home can damage and fade furnishings, rugs and even paintings on the wall. Treatments to block the sunshine from high windows run the gamut from easy and inexpensive to not-so-inexpensive and somewhat complicated. Whatever your budget, a solution exists for you to block that sunshine when it is not wanted.
  1. Film

    • The most inexpensive way to block sunshine from a high window is to install a film to the interior of the window. You can buy tinted window film from home improvement or auto supply stores. Before applying the window tint, follow the adage of "measure twice, cut once." Take accurate measurements of the window and cut the tint to fit. Use a secure ladder high enough to comfortably reach the window without having to stand on the top few rungs of the ladder. Apply the tint following the manufacturer's instructions.

    Solar Screens

    • Buy solar screen material and the frame components to create your own solar screen to install on the outside of the window. Solar screens offer a seasonal option to block sunshine from architecturally high windows. After taking the window's inside measurements, build the screen accordingly. Climb a safe ladder to install the screen on the window's exterior. Remove the screen in the months you want to let the sunshine in.

    Motorized Window Treatments

    • Options that are more expensive involve installing motorized window treatments. Motorized window treatments allow you to control the opening and closing of the treatment with a remote control device. Window treatments come in see-through shades that block most of the sunlight but do not obscure your vision. Other treatments include Roman shades or window blinds operated by remote control. While more costly -- as with the solar screens – motorized remote-control options allow you to manage the amount of sunshine into your home.

    Auto-Tinted Windows

    • Windows represent the weakest element in the design of an energy-efficient home. With nanotechnology, windows are available that automatically adjust the tint to the sun's brightness. This option costs more than the rest, because you need to replace existing windows with one of the new auto-tinted windows. The windows contain an organic polymer without toxins that changes its structure with the temperature of the window. The window varies between transparent and semitransparent. Windows can be custom configured to match the side of the house and the sun's heat. This lets sun in on cloudy days, and keeps it out on especially bright ones.