Beautiful windows and view. I think I'd look into having them tinted to protect your furniture.

I don't see why you couldn't do duettes for the large center windows and then individual ones or the side windows. That way you'd get light control, but if you open them all the way, they'll almost disappear up top..

DH suggested tinting - not sure where he came up with that idea. I think I found a local company that does it - whether they are competent I don't know. Will look into that. I had a local Hunter Douglas rep out to fix a bunch of malfunctioning wooden blinds so maybe I will see what she has to say about Duettes.

you can buy window film and just adhere it yourself...it's not a lot of work.

Love the windows. Is there anyway you can install an awning on the outside of the house to block the rays but not the view? It looks like you have plenty of smaller trees that will help with shading the lower section.

I like the idea of awnings.

Gorgeous windows!! I think bottom-up shades of some sort would look great for times when you wanted just the upper-most windows open.

Beautiful home. I wouldn't want anything, inside or out, to disturb it's natural look.

How old is your gorgeous home? Are you certain the windows aren't low E, which would minimize fading? It is standard and maybe even code in many areas of the country, I think. Another idea would be solar shades, kind of like film but on a roller. They pretty much disappear when rolled up, (or down for that matter).

Solar shades

Low e Glass

After seeing your house from the outside, I agree an awning would not work.

I vote for tinting or solar shades also. Your house is gorgeous!

Our house is 29 years old. We have large, south-facing windows, too. We have had almost no fading . I would not cover your windows! Your home is beautiful!

Solar shades is your best bet if you do not want to obstruct the view or the windows. Maybe you can get remote control types. Beautiful windows!!

The house is 12 years old. If it's low e glass it's not preventing fading. There's noticeable evidence on the carpet and wood floors where previous owner had furniture and area rugs. The info on the solar shades is very helpful as DH started talking about exactly that kind of thing today. I'll look into that as well. All great advice - thank you!

We had another lake home for 16 years. It was really close to the neighbors and not conducive to growing old there. Four level home with 43 steps down to the lake. We're in our late 50s and decided last year that we should start looking for a place they can carry us out of as DH says. We looked for a year and finally settled on this place. It's a beautiful timber frame home on a wonderful private wooded lot. The waterfront is not as sandy and weed free as our old place but we decided after a year we had to compromise on something and that was it.

We sold our other place to a neighbor without a realtor. Three weeks before we had to move out we bought this place, moved our stuff into a moving truck for a week before moving it in here about six weeks ago. Its the dream home I never expected to have. Now I just need to retire so I can spend more time there!

Lucky you!!!

Beautiful home and amazing windows!! Window tinting will help with sun damage, fading, and privacy. That way they do not have to be covered inside or out!

I love window tinting and had it on the windows of my last house. However, window tinting voids the warranty on newer windows and can contribute to seal failure. If possible, try to determine the manufacturer and type of windows you have. Then ask about tinting on the GW Windows Forum.

I'm also looking into solar shades through Swiss Chalet. They had samples with a 14% open weave (most transparent). The darkest shades provide the best view. You might give them a call for fabric samples.

Wow, quite a house and what a view! I would grab a book, sit in a chair facing those windows, and stay planted for most of the day.

Our last house faced SW and we had large trees directly behind the house that helped with shading the windows in the summer. We also had low E and realized our warranty would be voided with tinting. I worried about fading and I did get some slight bleaching of our wood dining room chairs. I even covered the colorful chair near the window in the living room. I too like open windows, but I would consider a window covering in your case.

Our daughter just bought duettes for her large windows (top down/bottom up) and they disappear when up or she can do top down to let the upper light and view in. She bit the bullet and got the motorized shades for the large windows behind her sofa. They work really well. That would work well for your upper shades.

That is good to know about the window warranty. We have Marvin windows. I plan to talk to the local Hunter Douglas rep this weekend.