In modern-day architecture, a lot of emphasis is given to providing proper insulation to the house to maintain a comfortable and cosy atmosphere in the rooms. Windows are a significant entry point for the sunrays to enter the room. Therefore a lot of architects pay attention to identifying ways to insulate the windows. One of the most popular and sought after ways to insulate the home is to select the most appropriate window treatment that can give privacy and insulation on a budget. According to one of the recent studies, homes lose as much as 30 percent of their heating energy via windows. Conversely, seventy-six percent of the sunlight that falls on the window panes in summers heats the rooms. Therefore, window coverings can provide good insulation to prevent energy loss and conserve electricity if appropriately selected.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WINDOW TREATMENTS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET TO PROVIDE INSULATION TO THE HOME ON A BUDGET?
Today, homeowners have access to many window treatments that can provide good insulation to the house on a budget. Gone are the days when good insulation was a factor of how expensive a window treatment model the owner could buy. These days, multiple window treatments provide reasonable to good insulation without drilling a hole in the owner’s pocket. Following are some of the questions, the answers to which will give clarity to homeowners about the selection of the suitable window treatment to provide insulation on a budget:
- Can Cellular Shades Provide Good Insulation to the House on a Budget?
Over the years, cellular shades have emerged as good options to provide insulation to homes on a budget. They are composed of pleated materials that can be folded at the top of the window. These shades offer good insulation because of the honeycomb structure, which has one or more air layers. Insulated cellular shades are known to have the highest R-value. They provide excellent insulation because the air pockets trap the air and act as insulators, thereby lowering the heat conduction via the window. Thus, they emerge as a viable option if the owner’s sim is to have energy savings and comfort, sunlight protection, insulation, and privacy. During winters, it has been observed that if cellular shades are fitted well, they can lessen the heat loss via windows by as much as forty percent. This translates to about ten percent of savings on heat energy. In the summer, they can block excessive sunlight and reduce the solar gain by twenty percent. Some of the premium models of window shades come with the option of automation. Smart shades allows the owner to control the window treatment as per a set schedule remotely. You can decide how much sunshine is required in a particular place in the home. This gives you direct control over the extent to which the rooms will heat up, especially during summers, which will help you save on electricity bills.
- How much insulation can be Provided by Roman Shades to a Room?
Roman shades, when properly installed, can provide excellent insulation to the room. They increase the R-value of the window, thereby resulting in more effective heat management. Insulated Roman shades rely on multiple layers to increase the insulation levels. It creates additional insulated pockets to trap the air. By using Roman shades, the owner provides durability and structure to the shade. It becomes easier to operate the shade as it hangs and folds better. It can be rolled at the top of the window when the owner wants the sunlight to enter the room. If the roman shades are attached with different insulating quilts, the R-value increases further. The best thing about Roman shades is that even with additional insulating materials, the overall thickness of the shade does not increase. Therefore the shades do not become bulky and fit the window perfectly. The insulated lining ensures that the face fabric is not damaged when exposed to excessive sunlight if installed along with the Roman shade.
- Can Louvered Blinds Provide Insulation to the Home on a Budget?
Louvred blinds are a perfect option to provide insulation to the home while remaining within the budget. Vertical blinds, also known as Venetian blinds or horizontal blinds, effectively reduce summer heat by providing good quality insulation. They also help reduce glare while still providing a good amount of sunlight in the room. The slats in these blinds give the option to the owner to control the amount of sun, glare and heat entering the room. When these blinds are completely closed and lowered, especially on a sunny day, a reflective pair of blinds can reduce heat gain. Another function of these blinds is to block the light and reflect a part of it on a lightcoloured ceiling. This helps in reducing the glare because the light-coloured ceiling diffuses the light. It also allows you to enjoy ample brightness in the room because of the filtered daylight.
- Can Curtains and Drapes Provide Insulation while Remaining within Budget?
Curtains and Drapes are other options when it comes to providing good insulation to the room. If you want to remain within budget, you should be careful while selecting the fabric for the curtains. A good level of insulation can be achieved through curtains and drapes while not exceeding the budget. The curtains and drapes should be closed during summers to stop the infrared rays from entering the rooms. According to recent studies, medium coloured curtains and drapes with insulating plastic backings can potentially keep the rooms cooler by thirty-three percent. It has also been established that when curtains and drapes are kept closed during winters, they reduce the heat loss through windows by ten percent. Thus the hot air cannot escape out, and the room remains warm. The experts’ advise the homeowners to hang the curtains and drapes as close to the window as possible to increase the insulation. Placing a cornice at the top of the drapery or installing it near the ceiling are the other options to increase the insulating effect.
- Can Window Films be a Budget-Friendly Alternative To Provide Good Insulation to Rooms?
Over the years, window films have emerged as a budget-friendly alternative to the other traditional window treatments to provide sound insulation to the room. Window films can be applied to the windows either with the help of experts or as a DIY project. They help block the solar radiation from entering the room, thereby providing good insulation to keep the desired levels. These films also protect against ultraviolet rays and uncomfortable glare because of direct exposure to sunlight. They are best suited when the homeowner does not want to block the view but control the solar heat gain and the resultant glare. They are also a good option for difficult to reach windows. Once they are installed, the owner does not have to bother about manually adjusting or setting them. Typically, an insulating window film has three layers. The first one is the adhesive layer that sticks to the glass, the second is the polyester layer, while the third is the coating which makes it scratch resistant. You can also decide the tint of the window film, level of ultraviolet blockage and the thickness of the films for security purposes.
Window treatments to provide insulation to the rooms while remaining within the budget are the latest in the market. You can easily attain this aim if you are clear about your objectives.