Any window covering really needs to go on the outside (anything on the inside is too late, the energy is already heating up your room), so I'd recommend sunblocking fabric roller shades (Coolaroo is a popular Australian manufacturer, I have one, it's worked well for me on a west-facing deck).
Good point. Fortunately we're in a 2 story building so access isn't difficult. I think I might have a harder time selling the others on shades for now. At home I'm trying to grow some vines to shade some of the south facing windows but the real need is better attic insulation.
Not entirely the case. When the sun passes through and starts beaming into objects in your room, the floor, etc, those objects then radiate that heat throughout the day.
Yes, that's what I was suggesting, though even adding some kind of film (or especially shades and curtains) on the inside will potentially allow for more heating to occur than blocking or reflect the sunlight outside the structure.
