A traditional house front with external linen sash shades and wisteria

We're not a normal shade company

Keep the sun off your windows, and your home stays cooler

External sash shades that stop the sun's heat before it reaches the glass. Beautiful, affordable and up in seconds; no drilling, for renters and homeowners alike.

Our design is patent pending (GB2615297.5)

Order your shades See the science

We're not a normal shade company

Keep the sun off your windows, and your home stays cooler

External sash shades that stop the sun's heat before it reaches the glass. Beautiful, affordable and up in seconds; no drilling, for renters and homeowners alike.

Order your shades

Patent pending

See the science

Why our shades?

Keeps the sun's heat where it should be — outside
Maximum heat reduction — more effective than awnings, especially for west, south and east-facing windows
Affordable — typically £90 to £120 per shade
No-drill, easy to install — suitable for renters and homeowners
Roll up and store away when not in use
Made-to-measure, yet transferable and adjustable to other windows if you move
Washable
100% natural fibres — biodegradable and plastic-free
Beautiful and stylish
Science-based — inspired by centuries of cooler homes in Southern Europe
Windows shut or open — option to open mornings and evenings, when the air's cooler but the low sun is fierce
Windows stay lockable — go out knowing your home is secure
UK designed and made

Order your shades Learn the Science

The Science

It's physics! How our sash window shades help you beat the heat.

The Heat is On

UK summers are no longer the mild affairs we once knew. Temperatures exceeding 40°C are now a real possibility, and heatwaves lasting for weeks could soon become standard. If you're here, chances are you're already feeling the heat.

Lessons from the South

Visit a traditional home in southern Europe and you'll notice smart design choices—smaller deep-set windows and external shutters. We'd love to replicate that across the UK, but it's costly and most homes here just aren't designed for shutters, whether due to aesthetics or practicality.

Facing the Reality

That's why we've created a straightforward solution that, used effectively, can keep your living spaces a few degrees cooler — a big boost in comfort.

The Cooling Strategy

Our approach is simple and effective — keep the sun out, and trap the night's cool air in. Here's how:

Night Cooling Nighttime is your secret weapon. As soon as the outside temperature dips below indoor levels, open windows to create airflow. Try opening low-level windows on one side and upper-level ones on the other for cross-ventilation, making the most of cooler air and natural stratification.
External Shading This is where we come in. Direct sunlight streaming through glass is the fastest way to turn your home into a furnace. Our Sun Shades block those rays before they even hit the glass, keeping rooms cooler and reducing heat buildup.
Daytime Closedown If hot air is allowed in during the day—even with blinds or curtains—you'll end up matching the outside temperature. Shut windows and draw shades during peak heat to seal in the cooler night air. Just make sure your windows are shaded first - otherwise you'll end up creating a greenhouse.

Pro tip: If your upstairs gets especially hot, crack open a few north-facing windows at the top. It can help hot air escape without letting in direct sun.

Our Shading Solution

Most UK homes weren't built with shutters in mind. So, we designed a stylish, practical, and affordable alternative — quick to install, easy to remove, and compact to store.

What began life as a humble sheet has evolved. Our modern shades are made of beautiful natural fabrics that are washable and sustainability certified.

They can be secured firmly at the top and bottom to stay put in the wind.

A bedroom sash window with a linen shade fitted outside, tabs closed

Extra Tips: Making Heatwaves More Bearable

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No single method is perfect, but our product is an essential part of a well-rounded strategy to manage heat at home.

Every house is different, so take time to experiment and tailor your approach.

Want to go the extra degree? Try these additional hacks:

Cut down on oven time – Embrace no-cook meals like gazpacho or salads to avoid heating your kitchen during the day.
Fans at night? Yes, please – Use them to boost sweat evaporation and help you sleep comfortably through sweltering nights.
Cold water mopping of your floors – This can help cool surfaces as the water evaporates, creating a refreshing effect.
Air-dry your washing – Avoid adding indoor humidity. Let clothes dry outside and ventilate afterward with night cooling.
Houseplants don't just look nice – They contribute to indoor cooling by releasing moisture through transpiration.
Sacrifice the worst rooms – Seal off the hottest rooms during peak heat to prevent them from warming the rest of your home.
Create a "cool room" – Designate one or two rooms to keep extra cool with shades drawn and doors closed—your sanctuary from the heat.
Plant deciduous greenery outside south-facing windows – Gain natural shade in summer while still letting sunlight through in winter.
Good insulation isn't just for winter – Invest in insulation to slow heat transfer and improve your home's overall temperature control, year-round.

Want to go further? There's lots more free, practical advice on keeping your home cool at mycoolerhome.com.

Sustainability

As well as helping to address the problem of over-heating, we aim to continuously reduces any impact on the environment.

100% natural fibre fabrics, fully biodegradable
Linen uses less water and fewer pesticides and fertilisers compared to other crops like cotton
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified – fabric is safety tested for harmful chemicals
European Union sourced, meeting EU standards on labour and manufacturing
Made in the UK to reduce transport emissions
100% recyclable, plastic-free packaging

We know that meeting the highest possible standards of sustainability will be a journey and we are committed to learning and improving every aspect of what we do.

Our Story

Nette and Chris are the husband-and-wife team behind Sash Window Shading. With Chris's background in domestic energy efficiency and Nette's experience in climate change policy, they share a deep commitment to sustainable living. They've completed an award-winning eco-retrofit of their own Victorian townhouse.

They know how vulnerable UK homes are to overheating. Heat stress affects our sleep, our health and our productivity - and this problem is growing, with 92% of UK homes at risk of overheating by 2050.

Driven by both this concern and creativity, they have developed a cost-effective, practical and beautiful solution to help others keep cool and carry on.