Why do folks keep all blinds/curtains drawn? (Pensacola, Naples: high crime, house)

[Nancy in VA]

We were recently in the Pensacola area (a bit north out of the city) and noticed that everybody keeps their blinds or curtains completely closed all day. I can understand if you have sunlight hitting that side of the house but this was happening when there was/would be no sunlight hitting certain sides of the house. Just curious as to why?

We were taking a look with the view of possibly retiring to that area. The June grass was a big turnoff unfortunately and with the other algae issues in other areas of the state, it seems like tourism and retirement interest will wane for now. It's so unfortunate.

[SettlingDown]

Very likely it was people that weren't home. If they're at work, why would they leave the curtains open? It is a relatively high crime area (Pensacola area in general) especially for something you make too easy/interesting. Or these were just rooms they weren't in if they were home. Then there is the air conditioning issue especially if they were not home, closed curtains give more insulation. ...but, my money is on the first reason.

Personal opinion? I wouldn't recommend retiring in the area except maybe Gulf Breeze or the island....but even that is not what it used to be and it more polluted as well as touristy rather than home-like.

[moondoggy51]

Two other reasons are sun fade of your furniture and heat as it keeps down the cost of air conditioning.

[slduvall]

I used to live in Italy. You could spot an American house or apt. We kept our windows and shutters open all day and closed them at night. Italians do the reverse. Keeps the hot air out during the day and allows cool air in at night.

I have plantation shutters to allow for light flow, but restrict the sun directly coming in, which as noted above helps with sun damage and AC costs.

[TheShyster]

I live in FL and in CA, and I think it's just a matter of habit, or sometimes just laziness...I simply can't be sure. Having said that, it's perhaps foolish to leave blinds/drapes/shutters wide open if you're, say, out of town...maybe not so much if you're running to the market for a gallon of milk.


It also depends on the orientation of the house to the sun travel. If you're facing west in a blistering August sun with the windows wide open, you might be nutty, or you might not care because of the openness created by a light-filled big room for instance.


Additionally, some of the newer window types of materials used, many of them are still pretty energy efficient and block UV, and a LOT of heat.....plus others are even hurricane safe, filmed, tinted, gased, etc.


I don't like llving in a dark box at any time. Living in a high tech multi highrise, you don't even have to shut any blinds way arove street level!

[Jo48]

I live in Naples. I keep my blinds closed, especially in the Summer, to keep the sun out, heating up the inside of our home, and thereby using more AC.

[TheShyster]

Originally Posted by Jo48

I live in Naples. I keep my blinds closed, especially in the Summer, to keep the sun out, heating up the inside of our home, and thereby using more AC.

These days, that's why people install high tech windows, AND simply apply some very very good film from 3M and Lumar. This stuff works better than blinds or roller shades and you can still SEE out, but tough to see clearly in. Products have evolved unbelievably so, especially window construction.

[beachmouse]

Definitely. We saw a big drop in energy use during heating/cooling months when we replaced the original windows in our house with low-e (energy efficient) impact glass.

[jwolfer]

Maybe they are walking around naked and don't want people peering in... People tend to like privacy

[sware2cod]

It' likely to keep the heat out. During the hot summer months in Florida, even the windows that aren't in the sun get hot or at least warm. Some of the windows got sun earlier but stayed hot even when the sun moved away and these windows stay warm for several hours. Windows that are in total shade still get warm and this warmth will make the room hotter and cause the AC to run longer. You can touch the interior of the window to feel the warmth/heat. You would be surprised how warm they get even when they aren't in full sun.

Not everybody is going to go out and buy new high tech windows or window film when all they have to do is close the shades/blinds during the day to keep the heat out of the house.