Blackout/Thermal Curtains - Would they work for me?

Question

I live in an apartment in los angeles. My bedroom in specific is always a blazing inferno in the afternoons due to the direct sunlight pouring through the closed miniblinds of my windows. I have installed a portable air conditioner in the room, but because the venting hose has to connect vertically to the window, I can only bring the mini blinds down halfway, allowing even more sun in than before.

What I need to do is remove the miniblinds and install curtains to block the sun. I've been looking at curtains designed to block out the sun called blackout thermal curtains. However, they advertise that they "Keep heat in", which is the opposite of what I want to do. Would the inverse also apply that they would maintain the cooler temperatures when the air conditioner is running? I would assume so, but I always like to ask first before making an uneducated purchase.

Thanks

Answer 1

they "keep heat in" but they also "keep the cold out". usually when it's cold outside, you open your curatins and close it in the evening to keep the heat in. but when it's hot outside, you keep your curtains closed so it can trap the cold temp inside.

Answer 2

I use the thermal curtains in a west facing and south facing window in the high desert. They bounce the light back out for one thing, and with the white rubber lining, they do keep the heat out, and the air conditioning cool in. To make it even more effective I have bamboo blinds, but want to get even the faux wood 2 inch slats on venetian blinds in white that will help insulate also.

My husband needs sometimes to sleep during the day and this has really helped with keeping the unwanted light out.

Answer 3

If they are white you are okay. Go for it. Sometimes they are black however. If so they will absorb the heat and radiate it into the room. You can also use foil with the shiney side out taped to the windows, but if you do this you won't be able to see out the windows.