Energy Efficient Window Treatments

Can energy efficient window shades help save money?

Yes, energy efficient window treatments can help save you money over the long run. They can influence the amount of air conditioning and heating you need to use. In summer, energy efficient window treatments can keep the inside of your home cooler by blocking direct rays from entering your home and heating surfaces up. Cellular window shades also create a barrier of insulation at the window, preventing interior and exterior air temperatures from mixing. In winter, you’ll notice less draft due to the air not mixing with exterior temperatures, preventing the interior from cooling.

Will energy efficient window treatments work on large windows and sliding doors?

Because large windows and sliding doors offer such a wide piece of glass, they are known to greatly influence the temperature and comfort inside your home. Large windows and sliding doors are a prime example of glass that should be covered if you want to save money and reduce energy usage. However, the right type of window coverings will do a better job of insulating these large openings.

Vertical cellular shades are a top choice for covering large windows and sliders. Adjusting open to the side, the create simple access, closing just as easily to ensure protection is at your fingertips. Vertical cellular shades are available in widths of 8.5 meters and over 3.6 meters tall.

Homeowners love what custom draperies can do to protect your home against the seasonal elements. Not only a beautiful choice, but drapes are customized to fit the height and width of oversized windows and doors. Specialty fabrics and liners are selected to help you reduce energy usage.

Horizontal window shades are another option when you need to cover sliding doors and large windows. Working with a window covering specialist is the best way to ensure proper selection, accurate measurements and a custom fit. Sonnette cellular roller shades and Duette honeycomb shades are both collections with horizontal shades that are capable of protecting your home. Cellular roller shades can cover sections of glass in 2 meter by 2 meter measurements. When covering sliding doors, this often means one shade for each glass section. Horizontal honeycomb shades are available to cover widths of over 4 meters, with a height of over 3.5 meters.

Do energy efficient window coverings let in light? Or will they have to be blackout?

It is possible to have energy efficient window treatments that still let in light. Typically, it’s a soft glow through the light filtering fabric of cellular shades. This blocks a majority of the sun, but doesn’t make you feel like the room is too dark. The insulation is present at the window whether the honeycomb shades are customized with light filtering or room darkening fabrics.

Are other blackout shades considered energy efficient?

Some window shades are capable of blocking the sunshine, but not necessarily insulating the window like cellular window shades. Blackout roller shades are a great example of this. Stop the intense summer sunshine from heating up the interior of your home with blackout fabrics. In the winter, you can raise these same shades to enjoy the warmth of the sun. Other window shades, like roman shades made with a room darkening fabric or liner are another way to stop the sunshine from entering. The layers of fabrics have been known to provide insulation at the window to keep the air comfortable.