Cooler temperatures don’t always mean cooler rooms. Discover why Arizona’s winter sunshine can create unexpected problems inside your home.
When temperatures finally drop in Arizona, most homeowners stop thinking about sunscreens and shades. After all, those are summer necessities, right?
Not necessarily.
Have you ever noticed that certain rooms feel surprisingly warm on a beautiful 70-degree winter afternoon? Or that sunlight suddenly stretches across your living room floor, creating glare on your television or computer screen?
There’s a reason for that, and it has everything to do with the changing angle of the sun.
Why Winter Sunshine Can Be a Problem
During summer, the sun travels higher across the sky, allowing rooflines and overhangs to block some of its direct rays.
In fall and winter, however, the sun sits lower in the sky. That lower angle allows sunlight to travel farther through windows and deeper into your home, particularly through south- and west-facing windows.
The result can be unwanted heat, uncomfortable glare, and prolonged sun exposure that contributes to fading of furniture, flooring, rugs, and artwork.
And while closing your blinds or curtains may reduce glare, it often means sacrificing the natural light and Arizona views you love.
Fortunately, there are better solutions.
Three Smart Ways to Control the Winter Sun
At Liberty Awnings & Shades, we offer several ways to manage sunlight and keep your home comfortable throughout the year.
Retractable Exterior Solar Shades
Want protection when you need it and sunshine when you don’t?
Retractable Exterior Solar Shades help block solar heat and UV rays before they reach your windows, reducing glare and helping protect your interiors.
Simply lower the shades when the sun becomes intense and retract them when you want to enjoy the sunshine and unobstructed views.
Fixed Sun Screens
For windows that receive excessive sunlight throughout the year, Fixed Sun Screens offer a practical, lower cost, low-maintenance solution.
Custom-fitted to your windows, these exterior screens filter sunlight before it reaches the glass, helping reduce heat gain and glare while maintaining natural light and outward visibility.
They’re a smart investment for winter comfort that continues paying dividends when Arizona’s summer heat returns.
Interior Shades
Looking for a solution that combines comfort and style?
Interior Shades offer an attractive way to filter harsh sunlight, reduce glare, enhance privacy, and help protect your furnishings from UV exposure.
With various fabrics, colors, and motorization options available, you can customize the amount of light entering your home without compromising your décor.
Not Every Window Needs the Same Solution
The best approach depends on which direction your windows face, how much sunlight they receive, and how you use each room.
Sometimes addressing just a few problem windows can make a noticeable difference.
Take a walk through your home during the late morning or afternoon. If you’re constantly closing blinds, noticing unusually warm rooms, or seeing sunlight stretching across your furniture, those windows may benefit from better solar control.
Enjoy Arizona Sunshine on Your Terms
Arizona sunshine is one of the best things about living here. The goal isn’t to eliminate it. It’s to control it.
Whether you prefer the flexibility of retractable exterior shades, the year-round protection of fixed sunscreens, or the style of interior shades, Liberty Awnings & Shades can help you find the right solution.
Don’t wait until summer to make your home more comfortable.
Contact Liberty Awnings & Shades today to schedule your FREE in-home estimate.
Choose Local. Choose Liberty.