Top Energy Efficient Window Treatments

Hey you, are you in the midst of a home makeover? If you’re upgrading the interior design in your home, choosing window treatments is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Are you aware of the top energy efficient window treatments to explore from? We’re here to help! Explore the best window treatments with energy efficiency in mind below! 

Choose Wisely, Save Energy

The window treatments you choose will most likely be sticking around for a long time. Furniture and decor comes and goes, but with the right window treatments, you won’t have to replace them for years to come. They may even outlive the paint color on your walls! 

Because of this, it’s imperative that you feel good about this choice. Some treatments require professional installation as well, making it less likely that you’ll change them out after they’re up. 

More importantly, a smart move towards energy-efficient window treatments can save you the big bucks over time. Coming in a variety of styles, these types of treatments will block temperature transfer and UV rays, allowing you to rely on your thermostat less. 

Depending on the size of your home and the climate you live in, this simple choice can make a huge difference in the cost of your monthly energy bill. Basically, energy-efficient window treatments will save you money just by existing in your home. What’s better than that?

Types of Energy Efficient Window Treatments

There are plenty of options to choose from in this category, all which vary in aesthetics, operation, and effectiveness. Draperies, cellular shades, and solar screen shades all deliver a little something different. Here’s a little bit of info on these options to help you get clear on what’s right for your home!

Draperies:

Draperies instantly bring an elegant look to any home interior. This type of treatment also opens up infinite possibilities of colors and patterns. You can even get draperies custom-made to match the rest of your decor. But beyond surface level, they’re also fantastic at managing temperature. 

By attaching a thermal lining to the back of your drapery fabric, you can create a heavy filter that efficiently blocks the sun and keeps out the cold. Our only con for this option is the lack of light control. While the thermal lining is excellent at blocking temperature, it will also keep out natural light. 

Cellular Shades:

This modern treatment has grown in popularity over the years, and for good reason! Although they don’t vary as much in aesthetic, they manage to be incredibly energy-efficient. What’s more, they won’t sacrifice as much natural light as heavier window coverings. With cellular shades, you win all around.

These shades can often be motorized as well, adding a contemporary and cool effect that’s also convenient. Within this category are plenty of options, each with their own set of AERC ratings.

Here’s a crash course in how the Attachments Energy Ratings Council makes these calls:

U-Factor: This measurement checks the rate of heat transfer into and out of a home. 

SHGC: Short for Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, this rating measures how well shades block heat. 

Cool Climate Rating: This label factors how well shades perform in a cool climate. This factor is determined by how often homeowners adjust their shades on average.. 

Warm Climate Rating: This label factors how well shades perform in a warm climate, also using the aforementioned process. 

Solar Screen Shades:

Solar screen shades are fantastic at saving energy and protecting your home from UV rays. However, here’s the flipside: they don’t deliver all the insulation that cellular or draperies can. 

Solar shades offer a range of UV protection, but they don’t do a whole lot for insulating your home. If cold weather is your concern, insulating shades are your best bet. The layer of insulation that cellular shades and draperies provide creates an air pocket between your windows and your home, keeping you cozy throughout the year.

With that being said, if you live in an especially warm climate, solar shades are probably your ideal option for energy efficiency and sun protection.

The Smart Choice

Whichever type of treatment you choose, energy-efficiency is an important detail to keep in mind. If you make your decision based on this factor, you’ll improve the overall comfort of your home and your energy bill. 

Energy-efficient window treatments may sound like a whole lot of practicality and not a lot of style; however, that’s simply not the case. With the wide range of options out there, you can have a little fun choosing one that blends in beautifully with your home. 

Give Us A Ring ☎️

Still not sure about energy-efficient window treatments? If you have any questions about these useful coverings, the window stylists at Windows Dressed Up have answers! We’re also well equipped to discuss home decor, installation processes, fabric options, and more!  We want to help you build your dream home, so don’t hesitate to give us a ring. ☎️ We’re here for you, homeowner!