Suggestions to block the light/heat out
Hi
I have floor to ceiling glass in the main bedroom upstairs and in the lounger area downstairs. I need to block out the light during some parts of the day. I have curtains in the main bedroom across the windows to 6.5ft high but am stuck for ideas of how to block out the light for the remaining triangular area that goes into the roof as shown in the picture
Also what would best and most economical option for downstairs? internal or external blinds? I am trying to steer away from curtains as don't think they will look right in such an open plan area.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
Comments (10)
User
8 years ago
PROanewhouse.com.au
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoRelated Discussions
How to block out view of next door.
Comments (41)@ deanli14...the problem is that the neighbours don't want the tennis court fence as it is..more they want it lowered...thus depriving johnmcintyre of his privacy and the local Council is dictating what can and cannot be done....its not about planting for privacy...quite the reverse, the neighbours want the view! I've had an idea that might help. It is my understanding that today anyone wanting to build or alter any structure can employ a private building surveyor/inspector to approve the plans and then the final structure...and I understand that this applies everywhere in Australia. So there is a way to by-pass all the nonsense. The Council does not have to know about or approve anything. You are employing (paying) a private building surveyor/inspector to help you get what you want on your own property. I think its all got beyond a joke. Just by-pass all the red tape and the neighbours! I've extended my house to incorporate a very large semi enclosed veranda, I've had a large water tank erected on a tall stand so it gravity feeds into my house..and have erected several 3m tall greenery covered screens along my fenceline adjoining the neighbours.. for reasons of privacy.....all without the local Council even knowing about it because I employed a private building surveyor for it all from start to finish. You would be paying him to be on your side and get you what you want and he does not have to submit to Council, he is his own boss and your client. You'd need to get a draftsman to draw up the plans to start with...then it should be smooth sailing....See MoreFeedback on floorplan on a sloping block- Need help!
Comments (27)ddarroch Thanks for all the great suggestions. Pity indeed about the directions of the sun and view. Can't change the profile of the block only can try to work out the best based on what it is. Very valid points about the heating VS. clerestory windows. We are in the temperate climate region which keeping warm it’s an issue in winter. We have thought about to have low-e glass in the south facing side but looks like we probably need to have double glazing in places like the north facing clerestory windows like you suggest. No ideas how much more double glazing will cost but certainly we need to include a fair amount into our budget. Agree with having a door separating the living from the back of the house like you said. Much better for heating and sound insulation. Again thanks a lot....See MoreNarrow North frontage block - floor plans for best lighting
Comments (21)Hi canan_ef, if north is at the front, why is the front room closed off to the rest of the home. Why can't you make this your living area, open to the kitchen and dining room, and alfresco. Having a separate lounge room at the rear of home. Therefore taking full advantage of the northern sun. In your original brief, you have mentioned an office. In your new design I can't see one. The toilet downstairs in your new plan, is not private. oklouise plan, shows the laundry and pantry are better placed for everyday use. Upstairs, a separate toilet is always better for other occupants. In your master bedroom, the robe and ensuite are too far apart. For a big room you will be spending time walking from one to the other. Again oklouise plan is a better use of space....See MoreReplacing windows for minimising heat and sunlight
Comments (9)before making any decisions about the impact on light try a small long cheap venetian blind so that you can really understand the impact of any sort of blind.. the advantage of the adjustable blades on a blind or shutter is that you can adjust the amount of privacy, light and the direction of the incoming sun...in the meantime the cost of any changes will depend on labour costs and there will be installation costs for windows with or without changing the walls and i think smaller windows with part walls would be more expensive than just replacing the glass but would probably create a much more comfortable space but if you plan to do anything it's so much better to achieve an improved result and that will always cost more than expected ...it's hard to tell from the photos but it looks like the room may have originally been a verandah with a lower floor and before making any realistic suggestion we need a plan of the house with dimensions, outside photos of the windows walls from the front and sides and a google earth image of the roof from above and please describe your climate...See MoreUser
8 years agojbantick
8 years ago
PROUndercover Architect
8 years agoUser
8 years ago
PROideal drape makers
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoQuite a dilemma.
Upstairs
1. Plantation Shutters. - You would have to investigate motorisation options for the cathedral portion of the treatment as you would need some way to open and close them. Periodically they would need a dust and/or wipe which is problematic given the height of the upper cathedral portion of the windows.
2. Split Verticals. Custom made verticals for the cathedral portion of the windows above the existing curtains and verticals replacing the curtains below. Once again motorisation would be an option up above, but verticals are not going to provide the same block-out and insulation benefits that plantation shutters would provide you and would present the same challenges (re cleaning), and aesthetically would not be as pleasing imho.
3. If you are able to still purchase the same curtain fabric as is currently in use across the bottom of the windows, then fixed cathedral curtains could be an option. 'Pinch' or 'Pencil' pleated curtains on a fixed track or headboard. This solution affords you the benefits of salvaging your existing investment in curtains. An important consideration is that the fabric be fully washable and/or dry-cleanable. The solution while still requiring some ladder work is much simpler and efficient when it comes to cleaning as removing the cathedral curtains from the tracks is a three step process - take down, wash/clean, put up.
4. A heavy tint of the cathedral portion of the window would seem an easy and would provide some insulating benefits in relation to heat but not so for cold. Depending on where you are this may not be as much of an issue but that is a lot of window surface area that is currently inflating your heating and/or your cooling bills, so an important consideration in whatever solution you turn to is going to be whether there is a positive return of your investment in terms of reduced heating and/or cooling.
5. Option five presents possibilities of a hybrid solution maintaining elements of your existing curtain investment, but adding a 'look' that would not sacrifice the cathedral portion of your windows to being permanently blocked as is the case with option 3. Of course, a lot is going to depend on the place of your doors and from close examination of your photograph it looks like you have two sets of doors either side of would make this solution impractical, if not unworkable.
Cockadilly · More InfoThis is a good example of the application of fixed cathedral curtains with the use of tie-backs affording the benefits of aesthetic appeal and without relegating the upper gabled windows to being permanently closed.
Downstairs
Downstairs, there would appear to be more options. Closer examination, however, indicates that you have two doors either side of centre. The question then becomes what sort of doors are these? If they are simple sliding doors, or are they bi-fold/stack-a-doors?
The options for downstairs could include:
1. Roman blinds. - Thermal lined Soft Romans. The issue with Romans is going to be whether or not you have the room above the windows to draw up the blinds so that you down't have to duck to go outside. Romans typically will draw 30cm/1ft from the top of the window. - Having the room above the windows to facilitate a higher mounting position would allow you to treat the entire window with Roman Blinds as an option in keeping with your open plan living and an implied desire to move away from curtains.
2. Curtains, Curtains, Curtains! - I would have to agree with @chookchook2. Curtain window treatments can be very modern and complete your vision of a modern open plan space. Modern fabrics with bold colours and/or patterns used with or without sheers and using either decorative rods or a single pelmet (box cornice) to tie together the curtains and provide added balance in relation to the shape and form that is projected by the window treatment when viewed from within the downstairs area.
Overall, you have simply wonderful, though challenging windows. I would have to agree with @jbantick that 'best' and 'economical' do not usually run together well in the same sentence. Depending on your location, the benefits of reduced heating/cooling costs by selecting a window treatment solution that is going to produce a positive ROI over time should be considered before ruling out a more expensive options.
User
8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
samallenrowOriginal Author