5 Environmental Friendly Window Treatments | Blinds Couture

At Blinds Couture and Jessica Rose Couture, we are proud to reduce our carbon footprint by recommending earth-friendly products. As we endeavor to reduce our carbon footprint, we seek out products that can help us and the world. Updating your window treatments with products that use natural or recycled materials is an excellent place to start! Always check to see that your eco-friendly window treatments are green guard certified to ensure that your indoor air quality is not affected by airborne chemicals.

According to energy.gov, our windows are the most significant source of heat loss during cold weather and increased heat during the hot weather months. By pairing the proper window treatments with energy-efficient windows, you can not only reduce your heating and cooling bills, but you can also greatly lower your carbon footprint.

Below you will find a list of 5 window treatments that conform to these standards.

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Insulated Cellular Shades

Insulated cellular shades, often called honeycomb shades, reduce the conduction of heat either from the window to the room or vice versa because of the air pocket construction built into their design. According to the Department of Energy, heat loss can be reduced by 40%, and heat decreased by 80%. If you have cellular shades that operate on side tracks, cellular shades will create a tight fit for your windows, offering further insulation.

This leads to energy savings regardless of the weather. If you opt for motorized shades, that can be automated to optimize the light entering the house based on the time of day and the season, and you will see your heating and cooling load reduced as well. You will not have to give up style, as you will have a broad color palette to choose from with these brilliant shades.

Custom Interior Wood-look Shutters

Custom interior wood shutters that snuggly fill a window are nearly as high in insulation value as cellular shades.

The slats on them can be adjusted during the day to either let in sunlight to heat a room or closed to keep the heat out. The ability of the slats to lie flat against the frame creates a barrier to cold air that could seep in through drafty windows. They also provide a timeless style to any room.

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Roman Shades and Roller Shades

Roman shades and roller shades offer varied fabric options that allow the end-user to choose a color, texture, or pattern that fits in with their decor.

While Roman Shades are not as energy efficient as other options, they can provide thermal protection if the customer opts for a more substantial or even quilted material for their construction. They can be fitted to lie inside or outside the window casing. They are useful for blocking the harmful UV rays of sunlight and provide the added benefits of privacy and room darkening. Most often, they are manually operated.

Horizontal Blinds

Horizontal blinds are good options for south-facing windows on the upper floors of a home where heat gain is more of an issue. You can choose from metal, wood, or wood blinds when you are making your purchase. The ability to adjust the slats of the blinds allows you to control the solar heat entering the room, especially if you have highly reflective material on the back of them. Take advantage of a light-colored ceiling by directing the blinds upward to diffuse the radiance of the sun and minimizing added heat to the room.

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Drapery

Drapery can be fabricated to produce eco-friendly window coverings by choosing natural materials. They provide insulation, especially if you are dealing with either a tall or wide bank of windows. Choosing a medium colored drapery with a white liner has been shown to reduce heat gains by 33% when they are closed during the summer. For winter usage, you will want to close them at night.

How you hang, your drapery is just as important as the fabrics you choose for their construction. You will want them hung as close to the windows as possible, fall all the way to the floor, and either have a cornice at the top or be hung against the ceiling. If you’re able to seal them at each end and overlap them in the center, you might reduce the heat loss by up to 25%. Layering drapery has the added benefit of maintaining the ambient room temperature making it more comfortable.

No matter what you opt for, these window treatments can add a degree of energy efficiency to your home. Beyond that, they will elevate the look of your home with their varied fabrics, textures, and materials. Your local window treatment specialist can help you find the combination of eco-friendly window coverings that fits your style as well as maximizing your future energy savings. Look to Blinds Couture when you are considering updating your existing window treatments. We will be with you through every step of your project to create an energy-efficient home through the use of eco-friendly window treatments.

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