Home Garden

DIY Heat Reflecting Window Blinds

While the summer sun may bring life-sustaining light and warmth to your garden, it often just brings discomfort and heat to your home. The most effective solution for beating the heat is air conditioning, but such systems are expensive and use a lot of energy. If you want a cheaper, more eco-friendly way to keep your home cooler, heat-reflecting window coverings may be the answer. These shiny window coverings keep the cool air inside your home while reflecting the sun’s rays away from your windows.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • 1/2-inch foam core
  • Permanent marker
  • Utility knife
  • Reflective space blanket
  • Spray adhesive
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Measure the height and width of your window, positioning the tape measure inside the window molding.

    • 2

      Draw a rectangle with the same measurements onto a piece of 1/2-inch-thick foam core. Foam core is dense foam sandwiched between two pieces of thin poster board. Craft and hardware stores often sell it.

    • 3

      Drag a utility knife through the permanent marker lines, cutting out the rectangle.

    • 4

      Place the foam core rectangle on top of a space blanket. These shiny, reflective blankets often come in emergency kits. You can also find them at camping or sporting goods stores.

    • 5

      Cut the space blanket about 1.5 inches larger than the foam core rectangle, using the edges of the foam core as a guide.

    • 6

      Move the foam core rectangle off the space blanket and spray the space blanket with spray adhesive. Press the foam core into the center of the space blanket and fold the excess space blanket over the edges of the rectangle. Allow the glue to dry overnight.

    • 7

      Gently push the reflective board into your window. It should fit snugly.