Best Window Coverings to Keep Cold Out: Warmth & Style Combined
If your home feels like an icebox, the culprit may be your windows. Selecting the best window coverings to keep cold out is a game-changer for a warmer home and lower energy bills. Our article cuts through the confusion to present the top insulating window treatments that merge style and practicality–without the jargon or a sales pitch.
Key Takeaways
- Insulating window coverings, such as energy-efficient treatments, are vital for home comfort and energy savings, significantly reducing the need for artificial heating by trapping heat within the home.
- Cellular shades are considered the most energy-efficient window treatments due to their honeycomb design providing superior insulation, with options like single-cell, double-cell, and even honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb designs enhancing this effect.
- Various window coverings, including Roman shades with thermal lining, faux wood blinds, roller shades, insulated curtains, vertical blinds, and shutters offer different insulation benefits and aesthetic appeal, while layering treatments can optimize insulation.
The Importance of Insulating Window Coverings
Insulating window coverings are not just about aesthetics; they play a pivotal role in enhancing home comfort, economic savings, environment preservation, and even increasing property value. Installing quality energy-efficient window treatments can result in significant savings on energy bills by effectively conserving heat within a home. This is achieved through the air buffer created by the window covering, which traps heat, reducing the need for artificial heating and contributing to overall energy efficiency.
Selecting suitable window coverings is especially vital during colder months to ensure a comfortable home environment and improved energy efficiency. But with so many options available, how do we choose the best insulating window treatments?
Cellular Shades: The Ultimate Insulation Solution
Amongst the plethora of window coverings, cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, stand out due to their unique design and superior insulation attributes. Their structure, resembling a bee’s honeycomb, creates pockets of air that greatly reduces heat transfer, and hence lowers energy consumption by creating a barrier against temperature changes.
Cellular shades, including insulated cellular shades, are available in various types to cater to diverse insulation needs, such as single-cell, and double-cell. With multiple cells providing increased insulation, these shades have been recognized as the most energy-efficient among various window coverings, making them a top choice for maintaining energy efficiency in homes.
Top Tip: Choosing the Right Cellular Shade
When it comes to choosing cellular shades, it’s beneficial to consider the size and shape of the window for proportional aesthetics and complete coverage. To ensure precision, it’s advisable to take accurate width and height measurements at multiple points. Choosing the correct cell size of a cellular shade also plays a significant role in temperature regulation, with different cell sizes ideal for different window sizes.
Two mounting options are available for cellular shades. The inside mount fits within the window frame while the outside mount covers the window and its frame. Precise measurements for light gaps are key for maximum light control, especially for inside mounts. A properly fitted cellular shade not only provides a clean look and smooth operation but also ensures an airtight seal for improved insulation, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the room.
Roman Shades with Thermal Lining
Roman shades with thermal lining are an outstanding choice for those seeking a sleek and elegant alternative to more cumbersome window treatments. The thermal lining in Roman shades adds extra insulation, making spaces cozier by keeping cold air out and retaining warm air inside.
The beauty of Roman shades lies in their diversity. They are available in a variety of fabrics, colors, and weaves, allowing customization to align with personal design preferences without compromising on insulation. To further improve thermal efficiency, the sides of Roman shades can be designed to tuck tightly against the glass, minimizing gaps when closed.
Faux Wood Blinds: A Classic Insulation Choice
Faux wood blinds are a favored choice for traditional insulation due to their remarkable thermal insulation and energy efficiency. Crafted from materials such as PVC and composites, these blinds have low thermal conductivity, making them an effective barrier against heat loss.
High-quality faux wood blinds offer the following benefits:
- They closely imitate the look of real wood, offering authentic colors and wood grain patterns.
- They are durable and can withstand wear without warping or cracking.
- They can be easily adjusted to control the amount of natural light entering a room.
- They can maintain privacy without compromising the external view.
Furthermore, their resistance to moisture makes them suitable for use in various rooms of the house, including high humidity areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Roller Shades: Versatile and Insulating
With their sleek appearance and straightforward maintenance, roller shades offer a versatile and insulative solution for window treatments. They are available in various materials such as vinyl, solar fabrics, and blackout fabrics, each offering a range of patterns including decorative, solar screen, light filtering, and blackout shades, making them a popular choice for window treatment.
Blackout and light filtering roller shades can significantly enhance a room’s insulation, with each pattern type contributing differently to the overall R-value of the shade. For instance, solar shades made from new 100% polyester fabrics provide excellent UV protection while preserving views, even in direct sunlight.
Insulated Curtains: Combining Style and Function
Insulated curtains excellently fuse style and function in window treatments, providing temperature control. They help maintain consistent indoor temperatures by slowing down heat transfer through windows, with the potential to reduce heat loss by up to 25% in winter. These curtains feature a multi-layer construction that can include:
- a decorative layer
- high-density foam
- a vapor barrier
- reflective film
This construction helps minimize heat loss and effectively manages heat flow, providing excellent insulation for your home.
While not all thermal curtains are blackout, many offer room-darkening properties due to their thick materials and can also reduce noise transmission within a room. They are available in various styles, patterns, textures, and colors to suit a wide range of interior decors.
To enhance insulation, these curtains should be installed as close to the window as possible, sealed well, and fitted with additions such as valances to reduce air infiltration. Regular maintenance techniques such as light vacuuming or mild dry cleaning ensure the curtains remain dust-free and visually appealing.
Moreover, insulated curtains are functional throughout different seasons, providing cooling benefits in summer by reflecting solar gain and retaining warmth in winter.
Vertical Blinds: Ideal for Larger Windows and Patio Doors
For larger windows and patio doors, vertical blinds are an excellent choice, substantially reducing heat loss through such openings. They are particularly beneficial in winter as they limit cold air from entering and help keep the warmth inside.
Alongside their insulation properties, vertical blinds also offer the advantage of allowing natural light to enter the room while providing adequate privacy for its occupants. The balance of natural light and insulation makes vertical blinds a versatile and practical choice for larger windows and patio doors.
Shutters: Timeless Elegance with Insulation Benefits
Particularly plantation shutters provide timeless elegance coupled with considerable insulation benefits. Their construction often includes:
- Rigid polystyrene foam enclosed by two aluminum panels for robust insulation
- Rigorous testing for thermal resistance according to European standards
- Prevention of heat passage and avoidance of thermal bridges for enhanced energy performance
Interior shutters offer the following benefits:
- Adjustable light control
- Thermal barrier with custom-fitted designs that minimize gaps and lock in warmth
- Facilitate temperature regulation year-round without extra costs
- Come in a variety of designs, such as full height shutters and those with overlapping slats
- Optimize insulation, privacy, and light blockage when tightly closed
- Larger slat sizes are available for those preferring ample natural light when opened, without compromising insulation when closed.
By effectively trapping air and providing extra insulation, shutters can significantly reduce the need for heating and cooling, leading to lower energy bills and positive environmental impacts. Plus, they are adaptable through the seasons by adjusting them according to the time of day and the season, aiding in maintaining favorable indoor climates.
Layering Window Treatments for Maximum Insulation
The insulative capabilities of window treatments can be significantly enhanced through layering. Mixing hard window treatments such as shutters and blinds with soft textiles like draperies and curtains can improve insulation when used in combination. For instance, layering sheer fabrics beneath thicker draperies can provide versatility in light filtering and improve insulation while maintaining privacy.
Introducing patterns or contrasting colors with solid window treatments through layers creates a visually appealing design and can add depth to a room’s aesthetic. Using additional layers of curtains over blinds or shades not only increases thermal efficiency but also gives more control over light and temperature within a room.
Summary
In summary, the choice of window treatments has a significant impact on the insulation of your home. From cellular shades to faux wood blinds, each option presents unique benefits and degrees of insulation. Combining different window treatments or adding layers can further enhance insulation, while DIY solutions offer cost-effective alternatives. Ultimately, the right mix of style, functionality, and insulation can lead to a cozier home and lower energy bills.
