Stay Cool (or Cozy!) and Save: The Best Energy-Efficient Window Treatments for Your Home
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As the weather warms, you should be looking for ways to decrease your energy use and regulate temperatures inside your home, ultimately reducing your utility bills. The best way to do so is to invest in high quality, energy efficient window treatments. Discover more about the best treatments with the criteria of style, functionality, and their contribution to reducing solar heat gain in your home.
Cellular/Honeycomb Shades
Images courtesy of Hunter Douglas Inc.
Named after their honeycomb shape, cellular or honeycomb shades are increasingly popular. While a simple treatment, its vast benefits make it a versatile choice for numerous spaces.
Style
There are seemingly endless color options for fabric for cellular shades. Whether you want shades for a pop of color or to blend in with your existing decor, cellular shade fabrics come in many color and texture variations. Cellular shades have a contemporary, yet timeless feel, making them practical for modern-day homes and for years to come. You can add stationary side panels on either side of the shade to enhance these treatments, allowing for more insulation and a sleeker, more formal look.
Functionality
Opacity
Cellular shades offer many opacity levels, ranging from sheer to complete blackout. The higher the opacity, the less light is let into a room; higher opacity cellular shades also stabilize interior temperatures, as outdoor factors cannot influence them as much. You could opt for light-filtering or room-darkening treatments in common areas such as living, dining, and kitchen spaces while using blackout shades in private rooms such as bedrooms.
Lift Systems
The two most popular lift systems for cellular shades are cordless and motorized. Cordless lift systems are basic, push-and-pull methods to adjust the openness of your treatment. By gently pushing up or pulling down the bottom rail, you can move the shade to your desired position. Alternatively, motorized lift systems are more energy efficient, as they can be programmed to open and close during certain times of the day, such as closing the shades when the temperature is at its highest. These systems are easy to integrate with your home's existing electronic networks, making saving energy easy.
Efficiency
This treatment utilizes the honeycomb-shaped cell to trap the air in the treatment, keeping your space at a regulated temperature. Cellular shades come in single-cell and double-cell varieties, allowing you to opt for what is best for your space. Double-cell shades provide an additional layer of insulation and noise reduction protection, while single-cell shades have the basic abilities to insulate and filter light.
Solar Shades
Images courtesy of Hunter Douglas Inc. & Sunbrella Fabrics
Solar shades, as the name implies, are excellent for sun protection and energy efficiency. They are a specific type of roller shade made with fabric that blocks UV rays while allowing natural light to still filter in. The high-performance fabrics used to make solar shades are durable and long-lasting, making them a great investment for your home.
Style
Solar shades are sleek, modern, and popular in many homes and offices. They offer many options in color, pattern, and texture, allowing you to make selections tailored perfectly to your home style.
Functionality
Opacity
Solar shades are categorized based on their opacity and transparency levels, which are understood in percentages. Ranging from 1 to 10, each opacity determines the total UV ray blockage. For example, a shade with 1% opacity is the least transparent and blocks 99% of UV rays, while a shade with 10% is the most transparent and blocks 90% of UV rays. This opacity range is useful when selecting treatments for an entire space, as one room might require more light blockage than another.
Lift Systems
Like cellular shades, the two most popular lift system types for solar shades are cordless and motorized. Some hard window treatment manufacturers offer an alternative to basic cordless systems, often called an "easy glide", which makes operation even smoother, requiring less force to move the shade up and down. Otherwise, you could opt for motorized solar shades, saving energy costs as they can be automatically moved based on temperature or sun patterns throughout the day.
Efficiency
Solar shades are explicitly engineered for UV protection and are far superior to other treatments for reducing energy usage. Because they can block heat transfer, solar shades cut cooling costs in the summer and prevent heat loss during wintertime. These utility savings add up and make your home a more comfortable space with temperature regulation.
Shutters
Images courtesy of Hunter Douglas Inc.
Shutters have become more common in homes in recent years because of their sustainability, energy efficiency, and timeless charm.
Style
Interior window shutters can be simple or ornamented with carvings. They are commonly made of natural wood, vinyl, or wood composite. The color possibilities are boundless, including the potential of custom paints or stains. Additionally, they can be custom-sized for specialty windows or doors. Shutters are considered a sophisticated and classy treatment that can work in any space with any aesthetic.
Functionality
Café & Full-Height
Shutters can be sized to fit your exact window specifications, including café height or full-height varieties. Café height shutters are popular in kitchens or laundry rooms, where privacy is ideal, but natural light is also desirable. They can be paired with other treatments for a more stylistic approach, but are also fine independently. Full-height shutters allow for maximum privacy and energy efficiency, as the entirety of the window is covered. The shutters' louvers help control the light allowance while maintaining temperature balance.
Maintenance & Longevity
Shutters are extremely easy to maintain and remain in good condition for extended periods. Light and regular dusting will keep your shutters in great shape. Vinyl and composite shutters are among the most durable shutter materials, as they withstand moisture, heat, and sunlight.
Efficiency
Because of their coverage, shutters are an excellent treatment in terms of energy efficiency. Shutters enclose the window frame and trap the air, not allowing it to seep into the space. They act as insulators to regulate temperatures and may be paired with stationary drapery panels to enhance energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient window treatments, such as cellular shades, solar shades, and shutters, are investments that can enhance your home's comfort and aesthetics while cutting down on energy costs. Whether you're looking for temperature regulation, UV protection, or simply a way to elevate your home's aesthetic, these treatments provide a range of options that can be tailored to your needs. You can create a more sustainable living space without compromising design or comfort with choices that balance style, functionality, and energy efficiency.
Need assistance selecting the best energy-efficient window treatment to keep you cool in the summer and cozy in the winter? Book a Welcome Call with one of our window treatment specialists or email us today!
About the Author
DESIGN CONSULTANT • INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT • HUNTER DOUGLAS CERTIFIED CONSULTANT
Alathea is a Design Consultant and Hunter Douglas Certified Consultant at The Pinched Pleat. Currently pursuing a degree in Interior Design with a minor in Business at Indiana University, Alathea brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to every project.
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As Dana's Design Assistant since August 2022, Alathea has honed her skills in client and vendor communication, renderings, presentations, and product research. Her passion for creating beautiful spaces shines through in her work, whether in Lebanon, IN the workroom, or studying in Bloomington.
In her blog posts, Alathea shares insights from her unique position as both student and industry professional. She aims to inspire readers with the latest trends and practical tips for transforming their homes through thoughtful window treatments.
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Looking to reduce energy costs and enhance your home's comfort? Discover the benefits of energy-efficient window treatments like cellular shades, solar shades, and shutters. These stylish options regulate indoor temperatures and provide UV protection, noise reduction, and long-lasting durability, helping you save on utility bills while boosting your home's aesthetic.