Beat the Summer Heat: The Best Heat-Blocking Window Treatments for Your Home
The Ideal Heat-Blocking Window Treatment for summer into Washington DC, many residents dream of outdoor adventures under the bright sun. However, when the heat becomes too intense, everyone appreciates a cool, comfortable interior to retreat to during those sweltering afternoons. But maintaining a pleasant indoor environment can come at a cost when your energy bill arrives.
Fortunately, you can keep your home cozy and your expenses in check with the right window treatments. Heat-blocking window treatments are essential for insulating your windows against harsh UV rays and retaining cooler air inside. Here’s how to choose window coverings with energy-saving qualities to ensure your home remains comfortable all summer long. Read the main common problems.
Heat-Blocking Window Treatments Halt Airflow
Imagine coming home to a living room with white cellular shades that effectively block out the summer heat. When outdoor temperatures rise, hot air can seep into your living spaces through windows, raising your indoor temperature. Installing heat-blocking window treatments can significantly reduce this influx of warm air by trapping it next to your window instead of allowing it to enter your home.
For optimal performance, heat-blocking window treatments should fit snugly within your window openings. Custom-fitted options like plantation shutters are ideal, as they sit within a frame surrounding your window, preventing steamy air from entering around their edges. Some louvered shutters, such as Polywood® shutters, even feature weatherstripping designed to stop air from flowing between their louvers. In fact, Polywood shutters can block as much as 30 degrees of heat from entering your home when fully closed.
Cellular shades are another fantastic choice for blocking hot air. Their unique accordion-like pleats create pockets or “cells” that contain outdoor air before it has a chance to raise the temperature inside your home. Opt for thicker materials to maximize energy savings.
Heat-Blocking Window Treatments Stop Hot Daylight
When the sun shines through your windows, it heats up the glass and transfers warmth into your living space. To combat this, heat-blocking window treatments can help keep warm daylight and harmful UV rays at bay during the summer months. Opaque treatments effectively block most outside light when closed, so consider thicker room-darkening drapes or shades for fabric options. Additionally, sturdy window blinds and louvered shutters can provide excellent coverage against unwanted sunlight.
Choosing lighter colors for your window treatments can also enhance energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight. White Polywood shutters come in three contemporary shades of white that not only match various home designs but also improve energy efficiency. If you prefer fabric drapes, look for those with white liners that help stop daylight while reflecting it back towards the window.
Heat-Blocking Window Treatments Should Be Effortless To Use
Energy-efficient window treatments won’t be effective if they are difficult to operate. The best heat-blocking window solutions should make it easy to protect your windows from the heat. Louvered shutters can simply be swung shut and tilted to block out most light and heat.
For added convenience, consider incorporating motorization into your heat-blocking window shades. This allows you to operate them at the touch of a button or even schedule them to close automatically during the hottest parts of the day. These user-friendly solutions make it simple to maintain a comfortable atmosphere in your Tampa home.
Let Couvrant Help You Combat The Summer Sun
If you’re on the hunt for the ideal window treatments to keep your home cool this summer and throughout the year, look no further than Couvrant.