My room is west facing and during the summer, my room ends up being hotter than outside due to the fact that the sun's rays slips into my rooms through my blinds. It is excruciating as I do not own an air conditioner. I have thought about getting curtains to help block out the heat, but I need help in choosing what type/style and color. My original plan was the get white ones as white reflects light, but some people told me to get dark? But from my knowledge, dark absorbs heat? Also, I will also be getting window films, but I need help choosing exactly what kind to get.

I know that window tint will prevent the glass from going everywhere but I'm looking for window film that will not let someone in. The glass may crack but it will not let someone penetrate it.

My office being uncomfotably hot I have had a reflective film applied to the inside of the double glazing (as i believe it is meaned to be). however, i have realised that the inside of the window gets very hot when the sun is shining on it, which must contribute (?) to the uncomfortable high temperature in my room. Would putting it on the outside instead help?

Check out this site: http://concordwindowfilmsnc.com/NEW_PAGES/flatglass.html They sell a film for windows (almost like a tinting film, but not really dark). The idea is that heat is reflected off of the windows to help improve your summer cooling needs. Does anyone have this kind of product? I'm in dire need to improve my cooling (AC unit is under-sized and I don't have thousands of $$). I'd love to hear a review from someone who has tried this. Also, any other simple improvements I could make? I've done the obvious: balance the load on air ducts/returns; replace filter; clean compressor and radiator fins. Thanks for your answers in advance.