Light/Dark/Sunlight/Heat question

[Jamastiene]

I used to keep my room nice and dark by using black cardboard poster material.

I haven't had my room like I like it in a while, but now I am finally to the point where I can make it homey.

I want to use the cardboard poster material but cannot find it in black. I did find some that is dark blue on one side and light blue on the other side.

The window I want to cover is on the south side of the house and with spring (hot) and summer (hotter than the hinges of forty hells) coming, I want to do this strategically.

In order to keep as much of the heat out of my room as possible, should I put the light blue side toward the outside (and toward the Sun) and the dark blue side pointing in (toward my computer and me) or the other way around?

[XemaSab]

1. Light side out

Dark side in. :D

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Jamastiene...

Yes, you want the darker color inside. The reason for this is that dark colors absorb heat, and lighter colors don't.

Have you ever noticed that getting into a black car is hotter than getting into a white one? The black absorbs the sunlight...

Good luck with your project!

:hug:

[petronius]

3. The light blue should reflect slightly more light, so putting it outward

will technically make the room cooler. I doubt it will be a noticeable difference, however, so I'd put it up so that the color that matches best with the rest of the room is on the inside...

[Lucian]

4. Lighter color on the outside, darker color on the inside.

Dark color absorbs more light/heat than lighter colors. That's why it's better to wear a white t-shirt in the summer.

[MajorChode]

5. Is getting blinds not an option?

I use blinds on most of my windows. For the ones that get the most exposure to the sun I have shutters and dark curtains. I can make any room pretty much as dark or as light as I want it.

Another option that some in my neighborhood have gone with is the dark window screens that go on the outside. Personally I think they look like hammered shit, but I'm sure they work well as far as keeping heat out and are relatively inexpensive.

[RadiationTherapy]

6. Won't matter. The side you put out will sunbleach to white soon.

[Chan790]

7. If you haven't bought the posterboard yet...

plain white would work best. Lowest heat absorption, highest reflectivity.

I also knew someone in FL who lived in a mobile home community that covered all their windows with aluminum foil from the outside but I was never really sure if they were trying to heat their camper or keep it cool. Also, it looked like crap.