How Blinds, Shades, or Shutters Can Help The Energy Efficiency of Your Home.
How Blinds, Shades, or Shutters Can Help The Energy Efficiency of Your Home.
One of the best ways to save money on energy consumption is by selecting energy-efficient window treatments. These include things like blinds, shades, and shutters. By installing these at your home, you will be able to save money and keep your house cool and cozy during the winter and comfortably cool during the summer months.
Blinds
Many homeowners don’t realize that they can control their heating and cooling costs simply by changing the type of blinds they use in their homes. All around northern Arizona, we see homes with vertical or mini blinds which not only look dated but cost more to operate than other options such as dawn-to-dusk cellular shades (which look better) or horizontal wood blinds (which also look better).
Vertical blinds are cheap to purchase at big-box retailers, but their insulating qualities are less than desirable because of the density of materials and the way they hang (in many cases). In the summer, lower-quality blinds collect heat from the sun and radiate that heat onto window sills where they conduct heat into your house. In winter months, heat is conducted away from your home right along with the view!
Cellular or ‘Somedays’ shades have an insulating quality that can be manipulated by simply raising and lowering them for sun exposure. The more you raise a cellular shade in a vertical position, the thicker it gets, which stops cool air from coming into your home during hot months or keeps warm air from escaping through open windows/doors during cold months. These shades are popular in Northern Arizona because they allow us to use the spaces on the back of a fixed shade to add a material that insulates light and heat from coming into your home.
Wood horizontal blinds have an excellent insulation quality because they contain a layer of vinyl on their backside while allowing for two different opening positions depending on whether you want to deflect heat away from your house or stop it from getting inside through open windows/doors.
Shutters
Shuttered homes tend to be more energy-efficient than homes that use other window treatments because they block out air flow much better than traditional window treatments. Shutters have been used for many years throughout Northern Arizona and can still be found in some higher-end neighborhoods today, often paired with faux wood blinds. Compared to vertical or cellular shades, they are more efficient and look better due to their sturdier overall construction.
Shades & Shutters are an excellent choice for your home in northern Arizona. Our caring team can help you select suitable options for your home based on your design needs and energy preferences. We have a large selection of contemporary window treatments that aren’t available at big-box retailers.
If you would like additional information about how blinds, shades, or shutters can benefit your home’s energy efficiency, contact us today! We will be more than happy to assist you with all of your questions and find the right window treatment solution for your home.
