Beat the Heat with the Best Summer Window Treatments
Summer is here and with it comes rising temperatures. Though air conditioning is blissful during the summer, running it nonstop during a heat wave will make your utility bill sky-high. Fortunately, blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help keep your house cool while keeping your bills in check. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), window coverings can reduce up to 77 percent of heat gain. Not only do window coverings add character to your home, but they also help you save on your energy bill and keep your home comfortable during long, hot summers. Changing your window treatments is a great way to help keep your home cool during the summer and update your home’s style.
Here are some affordable energy-efficient tips that will help you beat the summer heat.
Shades. Window shades are one of the simplest and most effective ways to save energy, but they need to be drawn all day to work efficiently. For example, quilted roller shades and Roman shades with several layers of fiber batting act as both insulation and an air barrier. These types of shades are more effective than other soft window treatments. Reversible shades that are white on one side and dark on the other can be switched with the seasons. The white side reflects the sun in the summer and the dark side absorbs the sun during the winter.
Awnings. Window awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows, according to the Department of Energy. For optimal results, choose awnings in light colors that reflect more sunlight.
Curtains and drapes. The ability of curtains and drapes to reduce heat gain depends on fabric type (closed or open weave) and color. It’s important to hang curtains as close to the window as possible. On summer days, it’s best to keep your curtains and drapes closed. For example, you can install a cornice at the top of the draperies, seal the draperies at the sides, and overlap them in the middle using tape or an adhesive. This will keep them sealed, and your house cool.
Blinds. Because blinds have horizontal slats, it’s more difficult to control heat loss through interior window blinds. However, blinds offer flexibility, so you can easily adjust the slats to control light and ventilation in your home. When the blinds are completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent, according to the DOE. Blinds can also be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-colored ceiling, which diffuses the light without much heat or glare.
Cellular shades. Cellular shades—also sometimes referred to as honeycomb shades—are a great way to keep your home comfortable during any season, especially during the summer months. These shades feature small pockets that trap air and prevent it from escaping through your windows. The cells insulate your windows, keeping your home’s temperature more regulated during the day. Cellular shades have tremendous light-filtering and light-blocking capabilities, which ultimately increase’s your home’s energy efficiency and allows for better light control in your home.
To learn more about finding beautiful custom window treatments that can help you keep cool this summer, contact the experts at Long Island Window Treatments today.