Recommend a window solution! « Hellobee Boards

Recommend a window solution!

By plantains Jan 9, 2014

So, I live in a 2 bdr apt in a mid rise building with lots of huge windows. Although we have lived here for several months now, we only really have curtains up in the baby's room. I have been procrastinating on figuring this out because it is an awkward layout. The windows are floor to ceiling, but the heating/cooling unit is right in the middle (see pic below) which makes things awkward.

The thing is, I just got a $450 electric bill, so I know I need to sort out window treatments pronto because the drafts are killing us. Would you do curtains or blinds or both for these windows?

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16 comments

Mrs. Lemon-Lime
wonderful pea / 17279 posts

Jan 9, 2014

No idea how to keep the heat in. We tinted our windows to keep the heat out. Can you post more pics of your windows and views? Just beautiful
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eggplant / 11716 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@plantains: OH! I have the exact same issue at the moment. Super high utility bills because of windows that aren't doing a great job.

So regarding window insulation/lowering utility bills (if it's for heat now in wintor it will be the same for AC in summer) you really need one of two things:

A temporary (meaning you can take it down before you move) window insulation kit like this:

http://www.amazon.com/3M-Indoor-Window-Insulator-5-Window/dp/B00002NCJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389290244&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+window+insulation+kit

Or thermal curtains like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Grommet-Thermal-Insulated-Blackout-Pair-BEIGE/dp/B0026SA8LK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389290369&sr=8-3&keywords=thermal+curtains

http://www.amazon.com/Thermalogic-Ultimate-Window-Liner-45/dp/B005C93ZZ6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1389290293&sr=8-2&keywords=thermal+curtains

We have blinds already and they are good for privacy but don't do anything for additional insulation. It's a shame the thermal curtains or so ugly, but you can buy nice curtains and then use the thermal liner I posted. Even with the radiator in the middle of the windows, you can just put the curtains over it. it'll have a small bump, but you can open the curtains when guests are over to it doesn't look strange.
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eggplant / 11716 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@plantains: The area we have the most trouble with is our living room which has this area of bay windows on one side where we have our dining area. Those windows let it SO much outside air, we need to do something else.

Here's ours. And there are two more windows on either side of this picture so it's going to be pricey to get nice looking curtains and rods for all of them. Booo.

We already have the Hunter Douglas Silhouette blinds on the windows (it's hard to tell in my pic, so I included a second picture). Sadly, they do nothing for insulation.
plantains
grapefruit / 4671 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: The annoying thing of course is that when it is warm the apt is a sun trap too because of the windows, so it is hot in there in the summer hahaha. Good thing the views are so yummy.
plantains
grapefruit / 4671 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@Anagram: the thermal curtains are probably my best bet I guess. We won't be moving for the next 10 years or so hahahaha. Maybe I can do the liner under nicer curtains as you suggested because yes, they are pretty ugly. Thanks for letting me know that your blinds didn't do much for insulation. I would have been annoyed to fork out stack of cash for nothing!

The bay window problem looks like it will only be solved with curtains:( I bought curatins for my DD's room from this Etsy seller, and they are incredible. https://www.etsy.com/listing/127423506/pair-of-grommet-top-curtains-in-cloud?ref=shop_home_active_11

She has easily the warmest room in the house. I guess I just have to bite the bullet and get it done. Ugh.
Mrs. Pickle
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21628 posts

Jan 9, 2014

You don't have a lot of room on either side of your windows so I would pick shades over curtains. You could do bamboo blinds. Or if you want some color and pattern you could do roman shades lined with a heavy or blackout liner.
kiddosc
grapefruit / 4278 posts

Jan 9, 2014

I would put blinds on all the windows, and curtains on the outer two. Something along these lines, where there is a separation between all the window panels, but you don't have to try to pull curtain panels over the window unit. The extra layer of curtain over blinds will help with the insulation.
plantains
grapefruit / 4671 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@Leialou: Good point, too much curtain will eat into the windows big time.

@kiddosc: this actually sounds like a really great solution! Thanks!
Mrs. Lemon-Lime
wonderful pea / 17279 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@kiddosc: love your living room. Colored couches

@plantains: aaaah! So pretty
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@plantains: We rented in a similar building a few years ago and actually had to move out because the floor to ceiling windows turned the unit into a greenhouse! I actually had photos documenting that it was 80 degrees in the middle of winter. Our unit had blinds going all the way across, while many of the owners had thermal curtains that they pulled across. In a situation like that I think your comfort (and utility bills) have to come before aesthetics unfortunately
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Jan 9, 2014

What about adding in some ceiling fans, to help circulate the air?

I think in the winter, the window sealing kits are your best bet...but you can't open the window for fresh air, not sure if that even matters to you or not!
plantains
grapefruit / 4671 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@looch: this is the problem with the window sealing kits. Even thoug it is freezing right now because of the cold snap, as@spaniellove: mentioned it can have serious greenhouse effect because we get a ton of sun and natural light so the option to open the window is a must. We will definitely get a ceiling fan, but summer hasn't been too bad to be honest. The draft in winter is the real pain.

@spaniellove: I think you are right, comfort (and my pocket:)) has to come first so I will look into getting some thermal curtains up.
kiddosc
grapefruit / 4278 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: It's just a google image My living room is no where near as fashionable.
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@plantains: where do the windows open, on the bottom?
plantains
grapefruit / 4671 posts

Jan 9, 2014

@looch: they open on the side outwards. They don't really open much because of childproofing being that we are so high up.
looch
wonderful pear / 26210 posts

Jan 10, 2014

@plantains: I figured there had to be some childproofing going on, I was thinking that at first.

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