Which blinds keep a Maltese home cooler? Compare blackout, screen, zebra and sheer fabrics for sun-facing rooms, plus fitting tips. Free measurement.
"Uff, is-sħana!" If Ġiġi had a motto for July, that would be it. In Malta the sun is strong for more than half the year, and a west-facing room or a big glass balcony door can turn an apartment into an oven by 3 p.m. The good news: the right blind, on the right window, makes a real difference to how a room feels. Here's how to choose.
Why some rooms get so hot
Most of the heat comes in as sunlight through the glass. Once it lands on the floor, sofa and walls, it warms the room and stays there. Three things decide how bad it gets:
- Direction. West- and south-west-facing windows get the hottest afternoon sun. East-facing rooms heat up early, then cool.
- Glass size. Large sliding doors and balcony doors let in far more sun than a small kitchen window.
- Timing. A blind closed before the sun hits the glass works much better than one closed after the room is already warm.
The fabrics that help most
| Blind / fabric | Keeps heat out | Keeps daylight | Night privacy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackout roller (light-coloured back) | Strong | No | Yes | Bedrooms, west-facing rooms you don't use in the afternoon |
| Screen / sunscreen roller | Good | Yes, filtered | Limited at night | Living rooms and offices where you still want the view |
| Zebra (day & night) | Medium–good | Adjustable | Yes when closed | Living rooms that need both light and privacy |
| Vertical sheer | Medium | Yes, soft | Partial | Big balcony doors, elegant living spaces |
| Lined curtains over a blind | Strong as a layer | Adjustable | Yes | Bedrooms and lounges that want a softer look |
A simple rule from Ġiġi: the side facing the window should be light. Pale backings reflect more sunlight back out; dark ones absorb it and warm up.
Fit matters as much as fabric
A great fabric with big gaps around it still lets hot light pour in. When we measure, we look at:
- Inside or outside the recess. Mounting outside the frame with a little overlap blocks more sun at the sides.
- The top gap. A cassette or headrail cover stops a strip of sunlight above the fabric.
- Doors you use all day. On balcony and sliding doors, a blind that's awkward to open gets left half-down or fully up. Choose something you'll actually use (more in our guide to balcony door blinds).
A room-by-room plan
- West-facing living room: zebra or screen roller for the day, so you keep some light; add curtains for winter evenings.
- Bedroom with afternoon sun: blackout roller, fitted outside the recess, plus curtains if you like a softer look.
- Big sliding door to a terrace: vertical sheer or a screen roller that clears the opening completely.
- Home office: screen fabric to cut glare on the screen while keeping daylight.
What we can't promise (and won't)
Every home is different: glass, orientation, shutters (persjani) and air-conditioning all change the result. That's why we don't quote fixed temperature or energy savings. What we do is look at your actual windows, at your actual sun, and show you fabric samples against the light.
Not sure which fabric fits your window? Book a free home measurement: we'll bring samples and hold them up against your sun. Got a written quote already? We'll beat it.
Sources and editorial note
General guidance on solar heat through windows. Product suitability is checked on site at a free measurement. No temperature or energy-saving figures are claimed.
Useful pages:
Mistoqsijiet frekwenti
Do blackout blinds keep a room cooler?
They block light completely, and a light-coloured back reflects sun away from the glass, so the room usually feels cooler than with a thin fabric. Closing them before the sun arrives helps most.
Can I keep the heat out and still see outside?
Yes. Screen (sunscreen) roller fabrics cut glare and sun while you still see the view during the day.
Are curtains or blinds better for heat?
They work best together: a blind close to the glass to stop the sun, and curtains as a second layer for comfort and looks.