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View Full Version : Window tinting/covering - REquest from SHMBO



aabb
22nd September 2005, 08:34 PM
A Plead for some ideas/assistance please.


I have window in loft style bedroom which goes to an upside down "V" at the top. The bottom half of window is rectangular and covered with wooden blind.

Top part is not covered as blinds, curtains etc would not work (as far as I can see).

SHMBO is getting ratty now that spring is coming and she is getting wakened by early morning light. I have been instructed to fix the problem :confused:

I don't want to cover it with cardboard or the like - needs to be a bit more tasteful than that. If it were possible to have some form of opening/closing covering that would be great but I am also considering "painting it" if I could find some form of non permanent paint that would not run off. Looked at stick-on tinting film but can't see anything dark enough.

Your suggestions would be appreciated. These odd shaped windows nice to look at but a pain in the a#$ to cover.

Albert

echnidna
22nd September 2005, 08:59 PM
3 suggestions

1. Some of the craft suppliers sell a stained glass lookalike type paint.
could add a bit of class and solve the problem.

2. Stick a bit of obscure glass behind the clear pane.

3. A permanent curtain could be made but you would need to fasten it with a curtain spring wire fitted along each edge.

Skew ChiDAMN!!
22nd September 2005, 09:58 PM
Looked at stick-on tinting film but can't see anything dark enough.

Use multiple layers and you can get it as dark as you want! Smart use of different shades of tint can create some lovely effects.


But be advised that you need time (a day at least, a week is better) between adding each layer... I wouldn't even clean it up until a good span of time has passed.

Bodgy
22nd September 2005, 10:28 PM
Build a triangular plantation shutter.

Angle the louvres so they stop the light that annoys HI. Would look really smick and get you some brownie points and maybe clearance to buy the tools required.

There are no problems, just opportunities!

aabb
22nd September 2005, 10:37 PM
Build a triangular plantation shutter.

Angle the louvres so they stop the light that annoys HI. Would look really smick and get you some brownie points and maybe clearance to buy the tools required.

There are no problems, just opportunities!

Bodgy,
Thought about this approach but not sure where to start .....anyone got any ideas replans etc .. also anyone have any pics ?
Albert

Bodgy
22nd September 2005, 11:00 PM
One of the ever helpful, sophisticated, suave and all round saintly forum members gave me the URL for a company that makes these to order. They obligingly have pictures on their site. I'll send you the URL tomorrow.

Incidently, whilst it's considered cheating, you could buy them from this site. The pricing is quite reasonable, and I almost wavered myself.

They don't seem hard to make, particularly if fixed, but your triangular frame will add another dimension. Rely on heaps of advice, encouragement and guidance from those herein better qualified than myself.

aabb
22nd September 2005, 11:20 PM
Look forward to web address. Anyone else got experience with making shutters ?

There was an article on them in a recent edition of australian woodsmith.. not sure if i could adapt that to shape required.

Albert

journeyman Mick
23rd September 2005, 12:45 AM
SHMBO is getting ratty now that spring is coming and she is getting wakened by early morning light. I have been instructed to fix the problem :confused:

Tell her to go to bed earlier so she can get up early to do your brekkie in bed :eek: ;)

Safer option: triangular curtain with velcro sewn on, sticky back velcro on opening.

Mick

maglite
23rd September 2005, 01:26 AM
You could always remove the triangular window and replace it with a normal rectangular one.

A lot of blinds fit those.

Bodgy
23rd September 2005, 09:43 AM
Below is paste of a response to my original query. Better yet, run a search on 'shutters' in Gen Woodwork - big hit rate.

Thinking about your circumastances, there could be ways of making the job simpler. Depending on the direction your window faces, you may get away with the louvres sitting, fixed at 90 degrees from the vertical. That way you'd only get direct early morning/late arvo sun, depending upon how close the slats were. Construction would be simple. If you need to set the louvre angle off the 90, then there are so many angles to be condsidered you gonna need CAD help.

Alternatively cheat, set the louvres at 90 degrees and on the exterior edge mount another strip of wood protruding down, effectively giving you the angle of shade required.


Try http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.co...tation+shutters (http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=11814&highlight=plantation+shutters)

or these guys to kits - http://www.portphillip.com.au/index.htm (http://www.portphillip.com.au/index.htm)

Hope that is helpful.

Trav

Trav
23rd September 2005, 10:11 AM
I've been quoted - there is a first time for everything.

aabb - what about getting the glass frosted? That would let light in, but not the direct sunlight.

Otherwise, a set of fixed louvres would be the go I think.

One suggestion a little out of the box may be to put some kind of awning (timber of course) outside above the window. This would tend to block summer sun (as the angle summer sun is more vertical) and allow the winter sun in as the angle is more horizontal. Not sure how that would look with the house design.

Trav