Blinds, Shades and Shutters - making energy efficient shades

Hi,
I live in Texas, the heart of hot. I would like to make shades for all of my windows. I know how I am going to make them, BUT I was wondering if anyone knows of a material that I could use between the inside and outside fabric that would assist in keeping the HOT out during the long summer and the heat in for the few days it's cold?

When I lived in Wisconsin there was a small store that sold shades with some kind of insulation between the layers. This was fairly bulky and I'm sure that in the last 20+ years thinner insulation has evolved. Has anyone seen or heard of anything?

I'd like opinions on the following: I plan on using a light fabric on one side of the shades and a dark fabric on the other. I feel that I can place the lighter side next to the window during the summer to reflect the heat and during the colder months have the darker side next to the windows to absorb the heat. I'd appreciate your comments.

Thanks so much in advance.

Maureen

I'd go with awnings, because shades are inside the windows,
allowing inra-red into the space. The shades would reflect the heat, but you already have the heat in the house.
Awnings, double-paned sashes, reflective coatings, are the way to go. Energy-shades work okay up here in toboggan-land, but
in TX you need every heat-dodging scheme in the book.
I've seen slats outside windows in Israel, sort of like vertical blinds you adjust as the sun
goes over allowing light in but keeping direct sunlight away from
the windows.
A thought........

There are films and coatings available to apply to glass to reduce the sun's penetration. They also make sunscreens.

http://blindsnationwide.com/phifer_sun_screen.html

I think there's cost factor in the TX situation; i.e. an absentee owner and all that; so window film, which is undoubtedly the
best way to go here, is probably too pricey .
I've heard of using shippers' bubble-wrap tightly taped over window sashes, probably looks like hell and only translucent, too.
But on windows looking out on RR yards or prairie.....? Only for the hot months

The metal in the blinds reflects mpore heat than you would think !!

True, but if the infra-red has already infiltrated the living space, you have the heat gain to deal with.
If you can either prevent or lessen the actual heat rays from
getting to the windows, you're ahead.
The way to do this is with either awnings, slats or film.
Trees help. Deciduous - they drop their leaves in Autumn
allowing some light in during the Flexible-Flyer months

Awww, what you really want is a Teflon product. Sorry but I don't know where you can buy it, maybe if you do a Google search on insulation, Teflon, sheet goods.
I've seen it..... somewhere. It is a foil type product (more like astronaut foil) affixed to batting that you then sandwich between layers of the fabric you want.
Try blackout products as this is quite thick.
good luck and remember, it wasn't your spouse (or kids, or dog) that hit your thumb with the hammer!
mel

Like those windshield things?
Put 'em in so you don't fry your you-know-what when you get in the car?.
Seems I've seen that stuff at HVAC places for wrapping ductwork.
Way to go, TX !
I think we have a winner here! And - you can take it with you.
Try a few HVAC stock houses, or even a building supply guy.
Personally, I'll take N.E., you can always put on enough clothes
in winter.
You can't take off enough clothes in summer south of the mason-dixon.

Having lived both south of the Mason-Dixon and currently ON it I can safely say sunshields are a must no matter where you live. I have been sunburned spending a day in the Swiss Alps in December and found my vehicle's seats to be (at that point thankfully) quite warm. The angle of the sun at any given time or season can have a huge impact.
Anyhow, I remembered where I saw this stuff.... it was at a home improvement store and was a very thin sheet of insulation. It was cunstructed of a layer of batting with the foil adhered to the top. The shades I saw were actually from long ago while I was in the Army and doing swing shifts, I needed to sleep during the day, oh and here's a wierd one for you... in San Angelo, TEXAS of all places.
It must have been your Texas reference that brought it to mind.
Quite frankly, if you can't find the actual product anymore, I would attempt a recreation... aluminum foil on quilt batting (1/4"), sandwiched between two pieces of fabric you like. Some of that new spray adhesive may even work well for making all these layers stay where they belong.
Sure would be interested in knowing how this turns out for you.
TC
mel