[ecomodded]

for ease of construction , you could use a cotton drop cloth (or whatever else you can think of) to make a outdoor curtains for summer use, darkish , like was suggested previously.

Tack the top of the material with a wood strip to the top of the window frame , and stretch the material out downward out from the window/house with 2 guide poles.


I heard of this method from a old timer on the next block who told me that this is the way he kept his house cool back in the 60's when raising his family.

edit:
He also said they would spray the curtains down with water for a air condition effect on the hottest days.