Purchasing The Best Insulated Window Treatments

Is it energy efficient? It seems that is the main concern for most people nowadays when they buy anything. Americans are trying to find ways to save money by purchasing everything in the energy efficient form. For windows, energy efficiency boils down to insulated window treatments.

Windows are Not Energy Efficient
Unless you live in a climate where you can leave the window open all year round, windows are terribly insufficient. They let natural light in, which is good, but they also can heat up a room in summer and let precious warmth out in winter. Windows are just not meant to insulate.

Research has been done that shows the average American can lower their energy bill by approximately 25% just by adding insulate window treatments. This is a staggering amount when you think that ¼ of your utility bills goes out the window literally.

Insulating the Window
The sad fact is most people only go as far as installing double pane windows.

This is their best attempt of controlling the heat loss. When they do go buy window coverings, they generally only buy based on looks, not on an energy rating.

However, anything that blocks the airflow helps in insulation. The better it traps the air in or out, the more you will save on money. This is why fit is so important. Nevertheless, it appears easier to buy “off the rack” and get ill-fitting blinds and shades. Truthfully, ordering custom blinds is simple and easy.

The Best Blinds and Shades for Insulation
As mentioned earlier, the best insulation is a good seal. Besides getting a proper fit, which is vitally important, you can get a side rail system that effectively seals off the window.

When you combine a side rail system with a cellular shade, you get so much insulation that certain blinds will qualify for the Federal Tax Credit for energy efficiency.

While cellular shades and a side rail system is the best, you do have other options. The next step down is just buying the cellular or honeycomb shade. They come in both single and double cell varieties. The double cell is a better insulator but the single cell works great too.

Next, you have shades. Any shade that does not have slats will trap the air between the window and the shade. The more opaque the shade, the less heat it will let in. The best shades will have a light back to reflect the sunlight. They can be white on the side facing the street and any color facing inside.

Finally, you have blinds with slats. Wood blinds are ideal for airflow. If you live in a climate where you wish the air to flow in and out of the house, then wood blinds are your best option.

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