How to Reduce Sun Glare on Windows

Reduce window glare to lower high indoor temperatures.

East or west-facing windows in your home are prone to an excessive amount of sunlight when the sun is at its hottest during the day, and results in sun glare that increases the room's temperature. The increase in the room's temperature can cause your home's central air unit to work harder to maintain a cool climate, whcih results in wasted energy and money. Window treatments are available to prevent solar glare from affecting your home.

Things You'll Need

• Heat-control window film
• Thermal curtains
• Curtain rod
• Solar shades
• Reflective paint
• Paint roller

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Instructions

1. Cover windows with a heat-control window film. Window film is formulated to block out ultraviolet rays from the sun, and is applied directly to the window with an adhesive backing. The film is easily removable, and blocks up to 72 percent of heat.

2. Hang up thermal curtains. Thermal curtains consist of a heavy material that blocks out heat from sunlight during the summer, and regulates your home's indoor temperature by keeping heat from circulating through the room.

3. Block out sunlight with solar shades. Shades have an acrylic ultraviolet-blocking coating to eliminate glare. Keep the shades pulled down from early morning to early afternoon.

4. Paint rooms a lighter color to balance sunlight. Paint that contains reflective light reduces the amount of sunlight glare, as lighter colors absorb less heat than dark colors.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Buying Window Shades
• Florida Solar Energy Center: How Windows Work -- Glare Tutorial