Quick answer: for Arizona’s hottest windows, shade the glass from outside where you can, with an exterior roller shade or awning on a west-facing window or patio door. Indoors, a solar or light-blocking shade kept closed during the day helps too [3][7]. Whatever you buy, make it cordless; the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled a long list of corded shades sold online [5].
Phoenix Sky Harbor averages about 111 days a year at 100°F or above, and its normal July high is 106.5°F [1][2]. That’s a long season of sun beating on windows.
At a glance
- Phoenix days at 100°F or above
- About 111 a year (1991-2020 normals) [1]
- Tucson days at 100°F or above
- About 68 a year [1]
- Phoenix normal high in July
- 106.5°F [2]
- What the DOE-funded AERC label shows
- Warm Climate and Cool Climate energy ratings [3][4]
- Cord safety
- CPSC has recalled corded shades that violate federal window covering rules [5]
Why windows matter in an Arizona summer
NOAA’s climate normals put Phoenix at 100°F or hotter on about 111 days a year, from occasional days in April through 18 such days in a normal September, and Tucson at about 68 [1][2]. Even overnight lows stay in the 80s in July and August in Phoenix [2].
The Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC), a nonprofit rating program created with $1.6 million in cost-shared U.S. Department of Energy funding and test methods from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, says closing window attachments during the day in warm months helps keep the sun’s heat out and can reduce air conditioning use [3][6]. Its label shows a Warm Climate rating for that. Higher is better, and each product category has its own maximum [4]. AERC lists awnings and solar screens among the attachments that block solar heat; awnings are mounted outside, and solar screens can go inside or outside [7].
One honest limitation: AERC’s certified product list is mostly custom shades sold through dealers. None of the off-the-shelf shades below carry an AERC label, so we compared them on the specs their makers publish.
How we chose
- Cordless. No operating cords, which is the CPSC’s main concern for window coverings [5].
- Published UV or light-blocking claims from the maker, with the number where the maker gives one.
- Fits an Arizona home: exterior shades for patios and west walls, and interior shades that renters can install without drilling.
- No recall. We searched the CPSC recall database for each brand on November 2, 2026 [5].
Our picks
Best for: West-facing patio doors and windows you can shade from outside
Coolaroo Outdoor Roller Shade, Signature Fabric with HeatShield (6 x 7 ft)
It stops sun before it reaches the glass, with HeatShield fabric that Coolaroo says reflects infrared heat, and a wand crank instead of cords.
- Up to 90% UV protection [8]
- HDPE knitted fabric; maker says it feels up to 15°F cooler to the touch [8]
- 6 x 7, 8 x 7 or 10 x 7 ft; removable 4 ft wand [8]
- Bungee kit to hold the bottom rail [8]
- 5-year fabric, 1-year hardware warranty [8]
Safety check: Cordless (wand operated). No CPSC recall found for Coolaroo or its maker, Gale Pacific (checked 2026-11-02) [5].
Watch out: Coolaroo gives no wind rating. Arizona monsoon storms bring strong gusts, so roll it up when storms are forecast. The 15° claim is about the fabric's surface, not the air.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Patios and larger openings where you want more UV block
Coolaroo Outdoor Roller Shade, Signature Fabric (6 x 8 ft)
It's sold in more sizes (from 4 x 6 to 10 x 8 ft) and the maker lists up to 95% UV block, the highest of the Coolaroo shades we checked.
- Up to 95% UV block [9]
- Sizes from 4 x 6 ft to 10 x 8 ft [9]
- Breathable HDPE fabric; mold- and mildew-resistant [9]
- 3-year fabric, 1-year hardware warranty [9]
Safety check: Cordless (wand operated). No CPSC recall found for Coolaroo or Gale Pacific (checked 2026-11-02) [5].
Watch out: No heat-reflecting HeatShield layer, and a shorter fabric warranty than the HeatShield version. Same wind caution.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Living rooms where you want to keep the view
Chicology Snap-N-Glide Cordless Roller Shade, 1% Solar (View-tiful)
A 1% openness solar fabric cuts glare while you can still see out, and it's cordless.
- Blocks up to 99% of UV rays and glare, per Chicology [10]
- 1% openness solar fabric [10]
- Widths from 21 in.; 72 in. long [10]
- Cordless [10]
Safety check: Cordless. Chicology's only CPSC recall in the database is a 2010 repair program for corded roll-up blinds, not this product (checked 2026-11-02) [5].
Watch out: Chicology doesn't publish a heat-blocking figure for this fabric, only UV and glare.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Renters who can't drill into window frames
Redi Shade Easy Lift Light Blocking Pleated Shade
It installs with no drill, screws or brackets, trims to fit at home, and the maker says its fabric has a heat-reflective layer to help keep rooms cool.
- No-tool install; no drill or brackets [11]
- Trim-to-fit widths up to 60 in.; 64 in. long [11]
- Cordless lift [11]
- Light blocking; maker cites a heat-reflective layer [11]
Safety check: Cordless. No CPSC recall found for Redi Shade (checked 2026-11-02) [5].
Watch out: Redi Shade gives no light-blocking or heat-blocking percentage. Inside mounts need at least 1-1/4 in. of window depth.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Buying guide
- Start with the hottest windows. West-facing windows take the afternoon sun.
- Consider the outside first. Exterior shades and awnings block the sun before it reaches the window; AERC lists awnings and solar screens among attachments that reduce solar heat gain [7].
- Close them during the day. AERC’s guidance for warm months is to keep attachments closed while the sun is on the window [3].
- Look for the AERC label on custom shades. If you’re buying through a dealer, compare Warm Climate ratings [4].
- Insist on cordless. Especially in homes with young children or visiting grandkids [5].
Sources
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, annual/seasonal (Phoenix Sky Harbor, Tucson International)
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, monthly (Phoenix Sky Harbor, station USW00023183)
- Attachments Energy Rating Council: Energy & Comfort
- Attachments Energy Rating Council: Reading the Residential Label
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls (searched November 2, 2026)
- Attachments Energy Rating Council: About Us
- Attachments Energy Rating Council: Residential Window Attachment Types
- Coolaroo: Outdoor Roller Shade, Signature Fabric with HeatShield, 6 x 7 ft
- Coolaroo: Outdoor Roller Shade, Signature Fabric, 6 x 8 ft
- Chicology: Roller Shades, 1% Solar, View-tiful
- Redi Shade: Easy Lift Fabric Pleated Light Blocking Shade
- CPSC: LINKCOO Blackout Roller Window Shades Recalled Due to Strangulation and Entanglement Hazards (2025)
Common questions
How many 100-degree days does Phoenix get?
Under NOAA's 1991-2020 climate normals, Phoenix Sky Harbor averages about 111 days a year at 100°F or above, and Tucson about 68. Phoenix's average high is 106.5°F in July.
Do window shades really reduce heat?
The Attachments Energy Rating Council, a rating program created with U.S. Department of Energy funding, says closing window attachments during the day in warm months helps keep the sun's heat out and can reduce air conditioning use. Its labels include a Warm Climate rating for that purpose.
Are corded shades safe with kids at home?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled many corded roller shades sold online because long operating cords can strangle children, in violation of federal window covering rules. Choose cordless shades, like all four picks here.