A Guide for the Best Window Treatments for Your Home

It is essential to choose the best window treatments for your home. Thirty percent of heat energy can be lost through windows. The right choice can save you money and reduce environmental harm. Generally, homeowners change window treatments every seven to eight years. Whether you're looking for energy efficiency or eco-friendly home furnishings, specific window treatments can make a big difference in your home design.

Are You Going Green?

Eco-friendly coverings could be the best choice for your decor. They are made with “green” materials such as bamboo, reeds, jute, and real wood. Eco-friendly shades are PVC-free, use recyclable materials, and are LEED Certification Friendly. These blinds and shades reduce the amount of harm to the environment.

What Are Energy Efficient Coverings?

Energy efficient blinds are known to enhance the beauty of your home and reduce the cost of your utility bill. They provide homeowners with a significant reduction in heating and cooling costs. To select the best energy efficient coverings, it is important to understand how the process works. The common way energy efficiency is measured is by R-value. The R-value is a material’s thermal resistance. A higher R-value results in better thermal resistance. There are a variety of energy-efficient window coverings with eco-friendly options. Three main types are Cellular Shades, Plantation Shutters, and Roller Shades.

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades are pleated shades available in a broad range of fabrics. The honeycomb design acts as an insulator and reduces the amount of heat lost through your windows. The R-value of cell shades ranges from 2.0 to 5.0. The shade on the low end will provide double the insulation. At the high end, the shades will provide more than five times the insulation your window needs.

Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters are available in a variety of fabrics. They are great for those with allergies, as they are easy to wipe clean. During the hot summer months, they can block the sun’s rays. In the winter, they can block cold drafts. The R-value will depend on the type of materials used to create the shutters. The R-value ranges from 2.77 for wood to 3.17 for vinyl.

Roller Shades

Roller shades are available in a variety of patterns. Patterns include solar screen shades, light filtering roller shades, decorative roller shades, and blackout roller shades. The slated design provides privacy and protection. They are great for allowing air and daylight to enter the windows. Roller shades are conveniently motorized and can be controlled with a button. They are easy to keep clean because they do not collect dust.

After you have decided on the best window treatment for your home, it is important to remember to add two to three inches to the overall width of the blinds or shades. This allows enough space for it to be mounted on the hardware.