We have the original builder grade windows on our home that was built in 2001, and they're not the efficient. I was looking to either get film to keep out the heat/sun to help keep the 2nd story bedrooms cooler, or blackout curtains.
Which did you choose if you have an issue with windows that are old?
We've got blinds, and then we've got blackout curtains over the blinds as well. I think the blackout curtains really go a long way. It's a small investment, and they definitely keep the house cooler.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never used window film for this kind of heat issue, so I can’t speak from experience there. Curtains just make more sense to me because they do the same basic job, but they also add another physical layer and create a bit of an air gap. I don’t know if that technically counts as insulation, but it feels like it helps.
I’ve also seen a lot of people say the best results come from shading the window itself; things like trees, awnings, or overhangs, since keeping the sun off the glass in the first place makes the biggest difference. But between the two options you mentioned, blackout curtains seem like the more straightforward and flexible solution.
We do not need it in the UK XD. Soon as the sun shines, she’s back in again and then it rains… well, most of the time anyway 😂
But honestly, it is nice having the sun shining into the room on a nice day. I’d probably go with blackout curtains over the film though, mainly because you can still open them when you want the light in, instead of making the windows darker all the time.
I have blackout curtains, and they work pretty well for me. I mainly use them for keeping more of the light out so I'm not immediately woken up by the sun, but they're also nice for keeping the heat out during the summer months.
I use blackout curtains but you have to get the right ones. I've gotten blackout curtains that didn't block much light, then I learned about TOTAL blackout curtains but even those I didn't get ones that light couldn't shine through at first.
I eventually found ones that block all light and am happy with them.
