North, South, East, And West: Window Treatments For Every Side Of Your House

Living in your home, you quickly notice how you get different amounts of light on each side. The tilt of the Earth makes some sides of your house sunnier and hotter than others. The sun moving throughout the day also changes light levels. When excessive sunlight makes a room too hot or bright, you need the right window treatment to stay comfortable. Conversely, in a room with little direct sunlight, you might want a treatment that lets some light through.

Whether you’re wondering how to shade west-facing windows or how to brighten up a north-facing room, here are the best window treatments for windows on every side of your house.

Best Window Treatments For South-Facing Windows

In the US, the south sides of our homes typically receive the most intense sunlight. Those strong UV rays can overheat rooms on that side of your house. If that heat makes you uncomfortable, you’ll need a solution for shading your south-facing windows.

The best window treatments for south-facing windows block sunlight and heat, keeping your home’s interior at a comfortable temperature. Energy-efficient window treatments, such as plantation shutters, cellular window shades, and thick drapery, can help prevent heat transfer from sunny windows. From there, you’ll need to decide how much flexibility you want in controlling light and what you want your window treatments to look like.

Control Light And Stay Cool With Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are interior shutters made from sturdy, solid materials such as wood or a wood composite. Heat and light can’t penetrate these materials. You can let sunlight in when you want by tilting open adjustable louvers or simply pulling open the hinged shutter panels.

Premium interior shutters are built to close tightly when you want maximum energy efficiency. Some even come with weatherstripping for this purpose. The shutters are set in a frame that’s mounted around your window to ensure no gaps for sunlight to sneak through. Polywood® shutters are a popular choice for south-facing windows because they don’t fade in the sun.

Block Light And Heat With Luxurious Drapes

If you prefer softer window treatments, luxurious, thick drapes do a good job of blocking light and heat. Their dense material traps heat against the window, where you won’t feel it. Drapes don’t offer much flexibility in how you open them for light, but they are an elegant option if that’s what your home decor calls for.

Trap Heat And Filter Sunlight With Cellular Shades

Finally, cellular shades offer an impressive amount of energy efficiency. Their accordion-like structure creates “cells” that help trap hot air before it enters your home. Cellular shades come in varying opacities to block light, but thick ones are best for sunny south windows. You can ask about top-down/bottom-up styles or motorization to help you achieve the perfect balance of light and shade.

Best Window Treatments For West-Facing Windows

West-facing windows can also experience intense sunlight and heat. Typically, you get the most sun on this side of the house in the afternoon as the sun moves across the sky. The changing light levels throughout the day might leave you wondering how to shade west-facing windows.

You’ll want window treatments that you can easily close as soon as a glare appears.

Block The Hot Afternoon Sun With Motorized Shades

No treatment is easier to use than a motorized shade. Using a remote control or a mobile app, you can lower or raise the shade without touching it or even being in the room! Motorized shades are perfect for rooms where you watch TV in the evening or work on a computer because you can use them to block glare from the sunset without getting up from your seat. If the hot afternoon sun is affecting your energy costs, get smart motorized shades and program them to close at noon each day, before it gets too hot.

Cover West-Side Windows With Durable Polywood Shutters

West-side windows have another challenge. Weather systems typically move west to east, meaning the western side of your house often faces the brunt of any wind, snow, or rain you receive. If you’re concerned about the elements affecting your west-facing window treatments, durable Polywood shutters are ideal. They resist damage from temperature extremes and moisture, lasting decades no matter where you put them. 

Best Window Treatments For East-Facing Windows

Like west windows, east-facing windows also receive different amounts of light throughout the day. However, they get the most sun in the morning and tend not to get as hot. Still, if you have an east-facing bedroom or kitchen, you don’t want the sunrise blinding you every morning.

Match Your Specific Needs With Shades, Shutters, Or Drapes

Since temperature is less of a concern on this side of the house, you have more options for window treatments for east-facing rooms. Anything that lets you block the brightest sunrise should do the trick. For a bedroom, you may want something that provides near-total darkness, like interior shutters, blackout shades, or drapes.

However, in your shared living spaces, you can choose something that lets in filtered light to help brighten up your house and mood in the morning. Sheer shades or transitional shades work well. Each style lets you choose between filtered light, total privacy, or an unfettered view.

Choose Premium Blinds To Manage Privacy And Light Easily

Many people like blinds for easy privacy management. You can adjust the slats to let in as much light as you want while still partially obscuring the view into your home. Today, you can find premium blinds made of wood or faux wood that look more sophisticated than standard aluminum blinds. These sturdy blinds last longer, too. 

Best Window Treatments For North-Facing Windows

You can use most window treatments for north-facing windows, depending on how much privacy you want. This side of the house often gets the least amount of light. In fact, some people find their north-facing rooms feel dark and could use more natural illumination. If that’s your case, consider window treatments that let in a soft glow while hiding your home’s interior.

Balance Light And Privacy With Attractive Woven Shades

Natural woven fiber shades are a stylish solution. Their different weave patterns let light through while their organic fibers still obscure the view through your window. Top-down/bottom-up shades of any style let you lower the top of the shade to bring in light while blocking the lower part of the window.

Protect Against The Cold With Polywood Shutters

If you get cold north winds chilling that side of the house, energy-efficient Polywood shutters will help block drafts and keep cold air out of your living space. These interior shutters also give you different options for opening them for light when your north-facing room is dark.

Find Window Treatments For Every Side Of The House At Sunburst

North, south, east, or west–it doesn’t matter where your window faces, Sunburst Shutters has the perfect window treatment! Get started covering the windows in your house by calling us at

877-786-2877 or filling out the form below to schedule a free in-home consultation. One of our team members will come to your home to demonstrate our window treatments and help you select the best option for your window.