Window dressings for hot weather

Inspiration

BY Abi Clewley

Published: 07 June 2023 Updated: 10 October 2024

Inspiration
Tags: Shutters, Blinds, Trends

The different challenges

Why do our rooms get so hot in summer? Should you open the window or leave it closed? Should you cover the window totally or use a specialist honeycomb blind? How do you balance natural light with controlling the heat? What are the best window dressings for summer? There are so many questions around warm weather window solutions, but luckily, we have just as many answers.

Close up in bedroom with cream panelled walls, bed with dusky pink bedding and indigo throw, small tall dark wood bedside table with dark anglepoise lamp and rays of light created by shutter louvres on the wall behind.

Why a room gets hot in summer

Before you can tackle the problem, you need to understand how it comes about.
The sun beams out just under 1,400 watts of power per square metre to earth when it's at its strongest. This energy comes in the form of short-wave radiation - also known as light. When this short-wave radiation reaches an object, like your home, or windows, it's absorbed by the object and re-radiated as longwave radiation, which we know better as heat. It's called Solar Heat Gain. In the summer, when there's more hours of light, this heat accumulates, and your room overheats.

Pencil-style drawing of honeycomb shaped blinds on right, sun on left and arrows from sun to blind indicating light flow.

Creating a serene sleeping environment

Summer nights are a time for relaxation, yet the early sunrise and lingering daylight can sometimes disrupt our sleep patterns. To ensure a restful night, consider window dressings that offer a blend of light control and style. Opt for blackout products in soothing, light colours that complement your bedroom decor. These will not only block out the early morning sun but also help in keeping the room cooler by insulating against the outside heat. For a touch of elegance, opt for blackout shutters, a combination of a shutter and an innovative Duette® blind, which works on multiple levels.

Bedroom with window dressed in white tier on tier shutters, closed with louvres open, dark blue walls, white bed with grey and dusky pink cushions, grey upholstered stool at bed, archway with white moulding.

Enjoying the breeze while minimising glare

There’s nothing quite like opening your windows to let in a refreshing summer breeze. However, with the airflow often comes the harsh glare of the sun. Light-filtering blinds or shades are the perfect solution for this. These window dressings diffuse sunlight, reducing glare while still allowing you to enjoy the natural light and fresh air. They create a pleasant, soft glow in your living spaces, making it comfortable to relax, read, or entertain without the discomfort of direct sunlight.

Extended conservatory with grey flooring, grey rug, dark grey upholstered sofa and chairs, low table with glassware, pale pink cushions, low-hanging pendant light with wirework shades and sides and roof dressed in pale grey duette blinds.

Beating the heat on sweltering days

When the temperature soars, keeping your home cool becomes a priority. It’s tempting to ditch heavy curtains and blinds for floaty voiles, or cool linen, but that’s actually the total opposite of what you should do. Thermal or insulated fabrics are a fantastic choice for combating extreme heat, because they reflect the sun's rays and provide a barrier against the heat, significantly reducing the temperature inside your home. By keeping your curtains or thermal blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day, you can maintain a cooler environment, making your home a comfortable haven even during a heatwave.

Still life shot of a small grey wood stepladder with bolts of fabric in shades of grey, patterned and plain, draped over the rungs and grey cushions and tiles around on the floor.

Seamless indoor-outdoor living

Summer is the season for blending indoor and outdoor living. If your home features large bi-fold doors or French doors, choosing the right window dressings can facilitate an effortless transition between your interior spaces and the outdoors. Consider lightweight, flowing curtains that can be easily pulled aside to open up the space. For a modern touch, motorised blinds or shades that can be controlled with a remote or smartphone app add a layer of convenience, allowing you to adjust the light and privacy levels with ease. Alternatively, opt for specialist micro blinds designed for doors, for a slimline look that’s both practical and beautiful.

Dining room in pale grey with pale wood floor, wooden trestle-style table with white contemporary chairs, table set with white crockery and bifold doors dressed with white blinds within frame, doors partially open.

Keeping your home cool throughout the day

Beyond window dressings, there are several lifestyle adjustments you can make to keep your home cool. Try creating a cross breeze. Open windows and doors on opposite sides of your home and you’ll create a flow of air, which can release the hot air, replacing it with cooler. Certain types of window are more effective than others for this — top-hung windows and sash windows are ideal. As hot air rises, by opening the lower section of a window on the side of the house the breeze is coming from and then the top half of the opposite window, any warm air that has gathered towards the top of the room will be forced out. Using the same principle, open your loft hatch and let the hot air rise into the space and out of your room. During the early morning and late evening, open your windows to let in the cooler air, and close them along with your curtains or blinds during the peak heat hours. This simple routine can help maintain a comfortable temperature indoors.