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[Desert Lily]

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?

[Meowingkitty]

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. 

[Scooby Doo]

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@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. 

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

[Mi47]

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.   

[Kachina624]

@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.

[Imaoldhippie]

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.

[AuntG]

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.

[Desert Lily]

@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.

[Desert Lily]

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

Thanks.

[Meowingkitty]

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@Scooby Doo wrote:

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@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. 

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

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