Choosing the Right Window Treatments to Conquer the Summer Heat

Personally, I love the heat.  But I also like having a cool oasis to return to, for sleeping, relaxing, dining, etc.  You may not be aware, but the right window treatments can make a significant difference in helping your home stay cool.  Here are our top picks and how they work:

Cellular shades
Also called honeycomb shades because of their honeycomb shaped air pockets (cells), cellular shades are the most energy efficient window treatments available today.  They come in single or double cell, the latter featuring two air cells, for maximum insulation.  Put these in your window and you will dramatically increase the insulation of your windows.  Cellular shades are a type of window shade and they feature crisp pleats that, when raised, fold up like an accordion.  Lastly, they are also available in a range of light control factors from sheer to opaque.  That means you can choose the right cellular shade for each room’s light control needs.

Cellular shades are also a good choice for year-round insulation, as they work equally well when the weather turns cold.  So, in the long run, they’ll help save you money on heating and cooling costs for years and years.

Solar shades    
Made from a synthetic mesh, solar shades significantly block the sun’s radiant heat and glare from entering your home. They also block UV rays which can damage furniture.  Also called solar screens, these heat-blocking window shades are a great choice when you want to preserve views, because you can see through them.  Choose from a range of  “openness” factors (from approximately 3% – 14%). Basically, the openness factor is a percentage of light the solar shade allows in.  For maximum protection, heat control and privacy, choose the smaller percentage. For better “view-through” choose a larger %.

A few more notes on solar shades. If privacy is an issue, be aware that solar shades are not a great choice.  During certain times of the day, such as dusk and in the evening, when the light within your home is more intense than outside, people will be able to see in as well as you can see out.  Lastly, while solar shades offer great heat protection during the summer, they only offer a little bit of insulation for your windows when it’s cold.

Top 5 Window Treatments Myths & Misconceptions

If you are in the market for window treatments, you might want to check out this list from Ranker.com:  Top 5 window treatments myths & misconceptions.  Might help you avoid a bad blinds purchase…

Have the Right Window Treatments for Summertime

Outdoor Shades

Summer is right around the corner and if your windows are not prepared you might have 3 months of glare and overheating. By investing in some solar screens, cellular shades and outdoor shades you can keep your home comfortable all summer long. All of these window shades help to protect your home from the harsh effects of the sun whether it is UV rays, blinding glare or hot temperatures. Keep in mind these shades work best for different areas of your home.

Solar screens are capable of reducing glare, preserving views and limiting solar heat gain. They are a type of roller shade that come in a range of screen openness factors allow you to choose how much light control you desire. If you have a window with a view, solar screens are the perfect choice because they can still allow you to see out while blocking harmful UV rays coming in. They also help to improve the energy efficiency of your home by keeping it cool and reducing your energy bills for air conditioner use. Solar screens are available in a range of fabrics, colors and patterns.

Cellular Shades are great for home insulation and improving energy efficiency. This is important in the summer when you want to insulate the inside of your home from the outside heat as much as possible. Maintaining cool temperatures makes your home much more comfortable especially for small children. Better insulation will also obviously help to lower your energy bills by reducing the need for air conditioning.

Outdoor shades are perfect for your patios and sunrooms. Any outdoor style room where you still want some level of light control and privacy will be a good fit for outdoor shades. They reduce glare, limit heat gain and block damaging UV rays. Also, these outdoor shades are a great way to improve the appearance of your patio or sunroom. It helps to create a more finished look for those outside areas that often lack definition and home styling. The outside of your home should reflect the décor on the inside of your home especially in the summer months when guests will spend most of the time enjoying the nice weather.

Overall, these window shades are all helpful in either protecting us from the sun or improving the energy efficiency of your home. Hopefully this post has given you some valuable insight on what to do to get your windows ready for summer. Don’t let summer sneak up on you without having your home windows prepared!