Tricky window coverings

November 8, 2021 12:46 PM

What are your best ideas for modern window coverings that allow airflow AND can block light effectively? We thought we had found window nirvana when we installed some nice honeycomb-style top-down-bottom-up cordless cellular shades on the big window in my home office. While they block light very well, they don't allow air to flow through. And the metal bottom piece bangs against the window when it's windy. I'd like...

...some alternative suggestions. Sheers plus curtains are okay, but not as flexible, collect dust, and blow around in the wind. Should we try plantation shutters? Pros and cons? Do solar shades allow air to pass through? I used to have those wooden shades that are loosely woven, and they banged around in the wind, too... Do you have magical window coverings that will work for us? Please don't suggest vertical blinds - those are terribly noisy when the wind blows. We have window film on some other windows, but that doesn't provide privacy when the window is open. Thanks in advance for your advice!

posted by acridrabbit to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

It depends a lot on where you are. Shutters are the best for a temperate climate, and more houses should have them. They work best on the outside of the house, but here they were mostly put inside in the old days, and worked just fine.
posted by mumimor at 12:55 PM on November 8, 2021

Best answer: To solve your banging problem, you could install blind hold down brackets to hold them in place. Do your windows open at the top? You could pull down the upper portion to allow air flow and have them anchored to the bottom so they don't blow around.

Plantation shutters would probably be the best answer, but obviously more expensive.
posted by XtineHutch at 12:57 PM on November 8, 2021 [1 favorite]

Best answer: How far are you opening your window? To solve the banging problem, I tend to open the window only a little bit and then pull the shade down that far only, so I'm still letting in some light but also the air can flow freely.

Here are my suggestions: attached the shade to something so it doesn't bang; don't close it as far; or, if you really want to throw some money at this, build some sort of frame a few inches out from the window, so you can pull down a shade tightly but the air can come in and flow around the sides. Some light will still come in, but you'd have privacy.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:48 PM on November 8, 2021

Response by poster: To answer a few questions: we're in southern California. The window is a large horizontal sliding window, opening from left to right.

If I use brackets to keep the shade from banging, that still doesn't solve my airflow problem... Air doesn't go through these cellular shades at all. The frame idea is nice, but I'd rather have an off-the-shelf solution, if there is one. Thanks for the comments so far - other ideas welcome!
posted by acridrabbit at 2:16 PM on November 8, 2021

I use mini-blinds, adjust them to allow air but limit light. They allow in a fair bit of light.

Whatever you use, you can get something to block light in the upper panel; that will help.
posted by theora55 at 3:21 PM on November 8, 2021

Can you find sudare where you live? I use them to cut sunlight on my south-facing balcony. They're lightweight and don't make too much noise if they happen to get caught in a strong breeze, and they can also roll up easily.
posted by lesser weasel at 5:04 PM on November 8, 2021 [2 favorites]

I take it an awning of some kind isn’t possible?
posted by raccoon409 at 5:29 PM on November 8, 2021

Response by poster: Oh, wow, lesser weasel - that’s what those woven wood blinds are called! That’s great, very helpful.

Can’t install anything on the outsides of the windows, sadly.
posted by acridrabbit at 8:06 PM on November 8, 2021

Response by poster: As a final update, I marked as best answers the responses from XtineHutch about hold-down brackets and bluedaisy for the suggestion about adjusting the openings.

I also wanted to share that I found some day-night cellular shades at a large retailer I won't name. These are great for allowing light and airflow through the top while preserving privacy. They are adjustable at night to be lightblocking and completely private, but I can still get airflow through the mesh at the top left open about a foot. Problem solved! Thanks so much, Metafilter!
posted by acridrabbit at 9:08 PM on September 29, 2022