# Pleas Help with Window Covering Options **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 9, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668 "2015-07-09T16:46:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RememberMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@RememberMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RememberMe)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/1 "2015-07-09T16:46:54Z")
Hey all, I need some help figuring out my options for window coverings in my house…well, one room in particular. Here is the situation: I have a great room with 5 normal sized (72"x23") south facing windows that are about 12’ above floor level. These windows allow in an enourmous amount of sunlight and heat, which is a problem during the summer months. I am looking for window cover options that are cost effective, and not ugly. I would like the ability to remove the covering if we want extra sunlight or heat, so some type of blind is what I am after. I have also discounted any type of drapes, as they would be difficult to manuever from floor level. My wife does not want long cords or cables hanging from each window, so I looked at the inexpensive cellular shades, but the size I need and touchless (so they can be raised and lowered from the floor with some type of hook/stick) raise the price significantly. I looked at some no frills roller shades, but would need to rig up a device to raise and lower them from the floor. Is there a simple solution that I am overlooking? ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/2 "2015-07-09T16:59:44Z")
Plantation shutters? Anything other than drapes is going to cost big bucks. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/3 "2015-07-09T17:08:39Z")
> [@RememberMe](#): > > My wife does not want long cords or cables hanging from each window, so I looked at the inexpensive cellular shades, but the size I need and touchless (… > > Is there a simple solution that I am overlooking? Yes. Cut the cords so they don’t hang down. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/4 "2015-07-09T17:22:20Z")
Have film installed on the windows that blocks the UV and heat, but still lets in the light. ---
**Author:** ![RememberMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@RememberMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RememberMe)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/5 "2015-07-09T17:40:35Z")
Thank you for the replies and suggestions. The window film is a good idea, but the light and heat are welcome during the non-summer months and I feel that any benefit provided duting the summer would be negated during the winter. I may have to look further into this. As far as cutting the cords, that would eliminate the ability to raise them when needen/during non-summer months. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/6 "2015-07-09T18:11:51Z")
Not necessarily cheap, but they make shades of different backing all the way to “blackout” and then you can use battery operated lift and down mechanisms via a remote. ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/7 "2015-07-09T18:28:27Z")
Anything is going to be expensive. Do you really need to be able to easily raise/lower them daily, or are you realistically more likely to raise them once in September and lower them once in May? If so, I’d just get drapes and make peace with the idea of getting out the ladder twice a year. ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pleas-help-with-window-covering-options/724668/8 "2015-07-09T20:21:52Z")
> [@MandaJo](#): > > Anything is going to be expensive. Do you really need to be able to easily raise/lower them daily, or are you realistically more likely to raise them once in September and lower them once in May? If so, I’d just get drapes and make peace with the idea of getting out the ladder twice a year. This is what I think too. The next cheapest options are going to have some type of manual control mechanism which your wife doesn’t want. That alone doesn’t leave a lot of options. I’ve never seen or even heard of blinds you control with a long stick device. That pretty much leaves you with a remote control, motorized blinds. Then again, I don’t know how handy you are but I just saw this on Youtube: [Five Minute Power Window Blinds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bChoEnMIO-w)