topic Re: Covering a Dormer Window in Home

Covering a Dormer Window

Desert Lily — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 14:08:35 GMT

I have a new house, and when I moved into it in April the 2nd story dormer in the front & the 2nd story dormer in the back gave wonderful light. But in 4 months the solstice changed, and the sun from the back dormer beats down on my great room furniture, the TV (the screen was impossible to see), & on my laptop (couldn't see that screen either) for about 3 hours every morning.

I googled possibilities in covering that dormer window. There's a loft library/sitting area opposite it, but there's no floor beneath; it's open to the great room on the 1st floor. One friend told me not to cover it, but even if it's a Low E window it needed to be covered.

I ended up buying the same curtain rod and same curtains (but in a shorter length) that are in the great room below, & I'm happy with the look. I left the dormer in the front open because the sun only shines near the top of an ivory wall there.

I saw some great blinds with remotes and some that had to have the battery inserted every day (not a possibility at the top of an open 2nd story).

There's no way I can go up 20 feet to clean those curtains or to dust blinds (if I had chosen them). So, my back dormer is pretty much Miss Havisham's style! LOL

Do you have a 2nd story dormer you needed to cover? If so, what did you choose?

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Meowingkitty — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:08:53 GMT

I have no idea what a dormer windows is. Maybe they're called something else out here. How about shutters? There is a long pole you can get so you can open and close them from the bottom floor.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Scooby Doo — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:12:30 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
I have no idea what a dormer windows is. Maybe they're called something else out here. How about shutters? There is a long pole you can get so you can open and close them from the bottom floor.

I'm sure you've seen them because they are quite popular. They look like those little dog houses at the roof line.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Mi47 — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 15:28:21 GMT

In a previous home, had skylights in ceiling. Our ceilings were almost 20' tall. The light was great except the glare on the tv. I had pleated shades installed in the skylights. The business I purchased them from provided a long poke with a hook on it, so I could open or close the shades, which I never did. There are pleated shades that are electric that come with a remote but can be pricey.

Another suggestion, is the up and down cellular shade/blind. The shade can be open or closed from top and/or bottom. Goggle it and you will find lots of sites re this type of shade.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Kachina624 — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 16:40:06 GMT

@Desert Lily Tàke yourself back to the Southwest and try to recall all the homes with tint on the windows. I have a South facing master bedroom that got so hot, even on a cold winter day, that I couldn't stand to be in there. I got some dark tint at Lowe's and applied it myself. I wouldn't attempt that on a high window but there are businesses that do it. It still lets in plenty of light, and I like that no one can see in (faces the street). It cut down the temperature in that room by 20° and eliminated the glare.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 19:14:51 GMT

I just bet there are blinds and/or shutters that can be set by a timer. You might google that or talk to a window dressing store or company.

This may be pure fantasy on my part.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

AuntG — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 09:17:10 GMT

I look at a lot of floor plans. Houses with those fake dormers (meaning they are not in an upstairs room) make no sense to me. I envision dust and cobwebs that can't be reached by the average person. The sun beating in never occurred to me, but that makes them truly awful to me.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Desert Lily — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 22:13:43 GMT

@AuntG I don't know how to respond to your post. I do know that it's not the kind of post I would write.

Maybe it would help if I show other homes that have windows that aren't accessible.

Some of these houses have dormers that are meant to bring in light and give interest to the architecture & roof line called architectural dormers, and some of these houses have 2 stories or more of windows. One has curtains that are 2 stories long (and would be difficult to clean ). I think they're all pretty nice and interesting.

When my child was born, we lived on a lake and had 2-story windows in the great room that looked onto the the lake. At that time I put vertical blinds on the 1st story and let the light in on the 2nd story loft we had there.

The architectural dormers I have in the front of my house remain uncovered and give great light into the kitchen & front entry, and they don't have sun that lands on furniture or screens.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Desert Lily — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 22:22:16 GMT

@Kachina624 You're right, that window film was very helpful.

Thanks.

Re: Covering a Dormer Window

Meowingkitty — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 23:58:29 GMT

@Scooby Doo wrote:
@Meowingkitty wrote:
I have no idea what a dormer windows is. Maybe they're called something else out here. How about shutters? There is a long pole you can get so you can open and close them from the bottom floor.
I'm sure you've seen them because they are quite popular. They look like those little dog houses at the roof line.

It's not an Arizona thing. Never seen one but I agree the window film would work.