How Blinds, Shades, and Shutters Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
Installing energy-efficient window treatments is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency, save money, and reduce utility costs. Whether you opt for blinds, shades, or shutters, these choices can enhance your home’s insulation and energy efficiency. They help keep your house cozy in winter and cool during the summer. Let’s explore how energy-efficient window blinds and shades can make your home more sustainable and cost-effective.
The Power of Energy-Efficient Window Blinds
Many homeowners don’t realize that they can control heating and cooling costs by simply changing the type of blinds they use. Throughout Northern Arizona, we see homes with vertical or mini blinds that not only look dated but also cost more to operate. More efficient options, such as dawn-to-dusk cellular shades or horizontal wood blinds, offer a modern look while being better at energy conservation.
Although vertical blinds are cheap to purchase at big-box retailers, they lack desirable insulating qualities. The material’s density and the way the blinds hang often collect heat during the summer. This heat then radiates onto window sills, transferring warmth into your house. In winter, heat escapes from your home through these same blinds, making them inefficient for insulation.
In contrast, wood horizontal blinds provide excellent insulation. They feature a layer of vinyl on the backside, which enhances their ability to regulate indoor temperatures. These blinds also offer two different opening positions. You can either deflect heat away from your house or block it from entering through open windows or doors.
The Most Energy-Efficient Window Shades
Shades are one of the most energy-efficient window treatments available. 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 entering your home during hot months or keeps warm air from escaping through open windows/doors during cold months. These energy-efficient window 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 entering your home.
Additionally, light-filtering shades and room-darkening shades offer flexible options for homeowners who want to balance privacy, light control, and insulation. These energy-efficient window treatments are versatile and can significantly improve a home’s energy performance while adding a modern, stylish touch.
Shutters: Energy-Saving Window Treatment with Timeless Appeal
Shutters are a top choice for energy-efficient window treatments. Shuttered window 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.
Shutters are a top choice for energy-efficient window treatments. Compared to other options, they block airflow far more effectively, making homes with shutters more energy-efficient. In Northern Arizona, shutters remain a popular option in higher-end neighborhoods, often paired with faux wood blinds for added style and efficiency.
Shutters’ sturdier construction makes them more efficient than vertical or cellular shades. They help maintain a stable indoor temperature while enhancing the overall look of your home.
Choosing the Best Energy-Efficiency Window Treatment for Your Home
Selecting the right energy-efficient window blinds and shades can significantly enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Whether you prefer the sleek look of blinds, the versatility of shades, or the timeless appeal of shutters, upgrading to energy-efficient window treatments provides long-term savings and improved comfort. Shades & Shutters are an excellent choice for your home in northern Arizona.
At Made in the Shade, we offer a variety of custom window coverings designed to increase energy efficiency. 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.
