We’re all about style when it comes to choosing window treatments. Having a comfortable and inviting home is an important part of designing your home. We also value science. With modern energy efficient window coverings you can save money on utility bills and protect the environment without giving up style.
From motorized blinds to patterned drapes, you can lower your utility bills while making your home relaxing and inviting. According to a joint research effort from the U. S. Department of Energy, the EPA, and Window Covering Manufacturers Association, window coverings can save significant amounts of energy for a relatively low cost.
Windows can account for 25 to 40 percent of annual heating and cooling costs. This is especially true if you have older windows. Even if you’re unable to upgrade windows, simply choosing the right window coverings could reduce your energy bills.
Here are our most popular window coverings and how they can help with energy costs:
Energy Efficient Shades
Shades come in a variety of colors, materials, and thickness. Your design options with custom shades are almost endless. Whether you’re looking for a traditional style or a modernized pattern, shades can meet your style needs.
In addition to being versatile for fashion, they’re easy to use and energy efficient. They reduce air flowing in as well as air going out. This means less cool air coming inside during winter months, less hot air in the summer, while reducing the heated or air conditioned air from escaping your home.
During the summer, you can close the shades to reduce heat from the sun. In the winter, you can open blinds on the side of your home facing the sun for natural warmth. After the sun sets, you can close the shades to reduce cool air transfer.
Drapes Combine Science and Style
Drapes tend to be made from thicker fabrics making them ideal in cooler climates. When it’s cool, keeping the drapes closed can help reduce cool air from coming in even if your windows are older.
From a style perspective, drapes come in many styles, lengths, patterns and fabrics. If you like drapes, you can easily find a style which matches your other home décor.
As an easy to use window covering, you can simply open the drapes on warmer days and take advantage of the natural sunlight.
Traditional Blinds
Blinds are a classic window covering. They’re popular in home offices, kitchens, bathrooms and more. In some spaces, having fabric drapes or shades isn’t ideal for the style or practicality of a room. Blinds are easy to maintain, clean and operate.
Like shades and drapes, you can use blinds to allow natural light and warmth, while also reducing heat and cold air transfer.
Energy Efficient Motorized Blinds
With motorized blinds, you get all the benefits of traditional blinds with the added bonus of smart technology. For those who are at work during the day but wish to use window coverings to reduce energy bills, these blinds are perfect.
With smart technology, these blinds can be programmed to be opened or closed at different hours whether you’re home or not.
The blinds are also excellent for hard to reach windows such as floor to ceiling, skylights and more.
You can learn more by reading How Motorized Blinds & Shades Improve Your Life.
Shutters For Light Control
Shutters, alone or in combination with drapes, are a great way to use natural light in your home. When fully closed, they can also aid in reducing heat and cold transfer between the outside and your home.
For cool but sunny days, you can even keep the shutters closed with the slats open. The closed part can help reduce air transfer around your window frame while the slats allow you to make use of some natural light.
Shutters offer a traditional touch with a modernized style to keep your home inviting with an updated look. Shutters come in a variety of colors and textures making it easy to find the right look for your space.
With a personal, private design session with Tina or Ashley, you can find the perfect energy efficient window covering to match your style. With so much variety, you no longer need to choose between science and style. You can find the perfect pattern, material and style to match your home décor while reducing your energy bills and helping to protect the environment.
