Best Window Treatments for Blocking Out Heat

Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025

Natural sunlight is stunning, and it can help our homes and moods feel so much brighter. Sometimes it feels like we can never get enough, but during the hottest and brightest summer months, that’s probably not true. In the heat of a hot summer, it can be hard to find a place out of the scorching sun where one can cool off for just a bit.

Living room with white shutters, woman looking out window, two armchairs, sofa, coffee table.

On days when the sun’s heat force pours in through your windows, ultraviolet rays will damage your home’s interior décor. This includes your art, carpet, paint, wallpaper, wood flooring, and furnishings will fade, crack, and warp when exposed to strong levels of ultraviolet exposure. The damage is irreversible. So rather than replace your décor, it’s wise to invest in Window Treatments that block out these damaging rays and the heat they produce while letting enough sunlight in to keep your home bright.


Here at Classic Blinds and Shutters, we carry a variety of decorative Window Treatments that will ensure your belongings are protected, and your living space is cool and comfortable.

Vinyl Shutters to Stand Up to the Sun

NewStyle® Composite Shutters are one of our favorite heat withstanding Window Treatments. These shutters will have a face-off with the sun on any given summer day. Made from composite vinyl, they stand up to heat and humidity, so they are a perfect match for a Georgian home. Solid as a rock yet offering a light and airy appeal, these treatments will save you energy costs by locking out the heat. Easily maneuvered by hand, with a tilt bar, or smart automation, these shutters will make your life filled with the cooling comfort you need on those days when the sun is as bold as can be.

Cellular Layers to Keep the Heat Away

Cellular Shades are one of the most popular Window Treatments for blocking out heat. We are proud to carry three styles by Hunter Douglas and each offers energy savings and aesthetic delight, all while keeping your house cool when the sun blares outside. Because of the cellular shades' cellular design, they trap excess air against your window treatments and form an insulating layer. This keeps your home cooler and you feeling better.

With top/down, bottom/up design, there is no need to block out the entire world. In the intensity of the afternoon heat, simply pull the top down a bit to let in natural light, while the bottom half will keep the heat from pouring in.


Cellular shades fit snuggly into the window frame creating a seal deterring heat from entering. No matter the shape or size of your windows, shades can easily be fitted to perfection.

We Want to Keep You Cool

Our experts here at Classic Blinds and Shutters, located in Alpharetta, Georgia, know our shades inside and out and are eager to demonstrate our products so you can select the Window Treatments that will help you keep cool when the heat is on. Stop in and see us at 488 N Main St, Ste 109, Alpharetta, GA, or set up a consultation online!


Don’t forget to check out the new Federal Government tax credit savings promotion available for qualifying certain Window Treatments! These energy-efficient window treatments will not only keep you cooler but can help you save money in the process!

Living room with patterned curtains, sofa, gold lamp, and a succulent arrangement.

Best Alternatives to Vertical Blinds

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Sliding glass doors make an excellent transition from the inside of your home to an outdoor living space. Vertical blinds are the standard choice for covering sliding glass and patio doors, but if they aren’t your thing, we think you’ll enjoy these alternatives to vertical blinds. 
Sunlit living room with gray shuttered windows, blue rug, and seating.

Are Painted Shutters or Stained Wood Shutters Right for Your Home?

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Whether you live in a coastal cottage, a Southern Victorian, or a modern Georgian home, wooden window shutters can add distinction, charm, and elegance to any window setting. These beautiful window treatments come in a wide array of styles, colors, and designs, but one of the biggest choices that can make a huge difference in the look and performance of these shutters is whether or not they are stained or painted. Both options work, but each comes with its own unique set of visuals and benefits. 
Bay window with built-in shelves displaying blue and white vases. The window has shutters and overlooks a green landscape.

What Is a Plantation Shutter?

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
No window treatment is more reminiscent of the American South than interior plantation shutters. Plantation shutters are a classic window treatment that will add instant sophistication and charm to your overall home’s design. Their durable construction and versatility makes them a great fit for a variety of uses. 
White wooden blinds with beige fabric tape and pull cords.

Try These Solutions for Porch Enclosures

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Enclosed porches, patios, or sunrooms are perfect places to enjoy the gorgeous Georgia sun. These flexible spaces allow homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds while remaining out of the heat and humidity. If you’re looking for a quiet, shaded spot to sit back and enjoy the view, you can add light control, charm, and comfort to your porch or patio with new window treatments from Hunter Douglas. 
Three white roller shades covering windows; two patterned armchairs face a small table.

Protect Your Home from Excessive Sun with Screen Shades

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
No matter what time of year it is, as a proud homeowner in the Alpharetta area, you want to ensure your belongings stay protected from the sun. While bright light enhances your home with its glow, the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage your floors, furnishings, and art. It can also produce annoying glares that make it challenging to complete computer work or view a movie on your TV screens. No matter what time of year it is, as a proud homeowner in the Alpharetta area, you want to ensure your belongings stay protected from the sun. While bright light enhances your home with its glow, the sun’s harsh UV rays can damage your floors, furnishings, and art. It can also produce annoying glares that make it challenging to complete computer work or view a movie on your TV screens. 
Two wicker chairs facing each other in front of a window with white shutters, beneath a wood beam.

Window Treatment Ideas for Your Sliding Doors

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Now that the beautiful Georgia spring is here and summer is on its way, your sliding doors are primed to take center stage as your home's central portal to the great outdoors. Since your patio doors can be such a busy exit and entrance, their window treatments can often take a lot of the wear and tear during this busy. That's when we can step in to assist with durable and stylish window treatments. Our team of design experts at Classic Blinds & Shutters Design Center is delighted to discuss some sliding door blind ideas from Hunter Douglas for a pop of summer aesthetic, including plantation shutters for a long-standing classic look that will turn your sliding doors into an architectural feature.
A modern living room with large panel blinds, a sofa, coffee table, and floor lamp.

Modernize Your Home Hunter Douglas Motorized Shades

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Some interior design trends stand the test of time, while others come and go throughout the years. Modern motorized window treatments from Hunter Douglas are one lasting choice that offers both style and the latest in technological advancements. These modern shade, blinds, and shutters are an aesthetic upgrade for any Georgia home regardless of its interior design while at the same time featuring classic styles any homeowner will love. 
Craft room with craft table, storage, and windows with blinds; orange chair.

Classic Blind, Shade, and Shutter Choices from Hunter Douglas

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
The new year is a good time to reflect and take some steps to refresh, recharge, and set yourself up for a great new year. One surefire way to breathe fresh air into your home during a Georgia winter is by outfitting your home with new window treatments. Here at Classic Blinds & Shutters Design, we are proud to carry Hunter Douglas blinds, shades, and shutters that will offer aesthetic appeal and functionality to your interior décor. Here, we have carefully curated some of our favorites from each style to help you find the perfect choice to freshen up your home. 
White vertical blinds on large windows, interior with ottoman, artwork, and decorative items.

Lasting Drapery Solutions For Your Modern Home

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Selecting window treatments for your modern home can be daunting with the many options available. But one option that can accent all kinds of modern interiors is drapery. Drapery has long been a classic choice for adding dimension and drama to your windows. Our Classic Blinds & Shutters team is eager to share a few Hunter Douglas drapery solutions to combine with your modern home to create a cohesive design that exudes elegance. 
Living room with large windows, light-colored blinds, beige rug, and modern furniture.

3 Reasons Why Cellular Shades are a Great Investment

By Classic Blinds & Shutters • September 23, 2025
Maybe you've been thinking about giving your windows a new style by updating your window dressings. The world of window treatments is vast and wide, making deciding what style is best for your home is difficult. Shutters, curtains, blinds, shades, what have you. One thing to think about is Georgia's fluctuating weather patterns. Summers are hot and humid, and winters are cool and rainy. Selecting a window treatment with excellent insulating properties, aesthetic style, and functionality is your best choice. Here at Classic Blinds & Shutters, we proudly carry Hunter Douglas Duette® Honeycomb Shades, which meet all these criteria and more.