My apartment gets very hot in the summer. I'd like a cheap way to block out the heat and the light. Ideas?
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Answers:
Make a shade of aluminum and bounce that light & heat out.
Buy Curtains and blinds to keep the sunlight at a minimum and then buy a fan or two.
Go with curtains. Get a thick, light colored curtain so that it doesn't absorb heat, and a nicer more aesthetic outer curtain to spruce up the room a little bit.
Pull-down shades are inexpensive and easy to hang--buy the ones called "room darkening", they'll work best.
just keep your curtains and windows closed, the sunlight coming in will heat up your furniture, your furniture will then act like a radiator as it lets off the heat, thus heating your apartment considerably. Your best bet is to get some black out blinds from your local hardware store, and also get a good fan to help circulate the air, even a humidifier can help if you use it at night, but be careful, because the moisture in the air will retain a lot of heat, use cold water humidifiers only, and do not use during the day, if you do this, you'll see a huge difference in the temperature of your apartment.
Blinds. they come in all functions and colors. Focus on the side of the apt that get the P.M. sun. its usually the hottest part of the day.
Another idea is to get some film that just adheres to the window. I have seen it at Lowe's. You can do it yourself by just cutting it to the window size. There is some that is made for heat block. Not at all expensive and you can do curtains or blinds too if that is not enough.
white curtains, fan, air condition, plants, shutters..
always open all the doors during night time and close the ones that they have sun during day time, but leave the others [that look in the shadow] open with closed shutters ;o)
The area that the sun is at most keep those areas covered with blinds. Keep the windows closed during the day and open them at nights.( if it is safe to do so) Get a ceiling fan and turn it on during the night
put that thick winter comforter over the window. Or if you can get this lucky... my friend got a hold of some old hotel drapes that worked a whole lot better. they were cheap and felt like a thick shower curtain but looked alright and really beat the heat. hotels are always updating things like furniture and art deco. try calling some and ask if they have any they don't want. if not perhaps they could put your name on a list for when they do.
good luck
1. Lined black out drapes or shades. Can be found at most department stores. I used them when I worked night shift and was a day sleeper. Loved them!
2. UV blocking transparent film. Like that used on auto windows.
3. If you want to go really cheap, then cover windows with aluminum foil. However, the foil will contract and expand with the changes in temp. and make a lot of noise. This may not be so good if you're a light sleeper and bothered by noise.
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