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Energy Efficient Winter Window Treatments

Posted: Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 | Filed under: sustainable living, window shading, window treatments

Get your windows prepared for winter will help save energy. Window treatments provide great insulation for your home during the cold weather months. By adding draperies or other types of window shadesto your windows, you save energy and even lower your heating bill by a significant amount.

Winter Window Treatments

Winter Window Treatments

Depending on the window(s) in your home that you’re looking to insulate, you can customize your window treatments to fit many shapes and sizes.  Window treatments, especially energy efficient options are long-term investments, so take your time when choosing your window dressing. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to how to decorate your windows, but here are some things to keep in mind when choosing your window shades.

Window shades are a simple solution to saving energy during winter. The key to roller shades is to mount them inside the window frame, leaving a very small (if any) gap on the sides. The closer the shades are to the frame, the less heat you’re going to lose. Roller shading is available with many different control options as well. You can choose to motorize your folding shades in New York for convenience reasons or you create a privacy shade to your bedroom. Depending on your style, customize to your liking.

Roman shades, or folding shades are also a great option for energy saving window treatments, but for full functionality, choose insulated window shades. Insulated shades are tightly woven with thicker fabric, to help insulate the windows. Roman shades fold when not in user and these types of shades are also available in a variety of fabric and pleat choices.

Draperies are a third choice and can also be great insulators during cold winter months. Draperies are one of the most common types of window treatments because you have so many different options. If you decide on this type of treatment, close the side gaps (and top and bottom), to keep in the heat.

Window shades, draperies and folding shades are all energy efficient window treatments. Depending on the windows you’re working with, or the type of aesthetic you’re looking for, explore these options.

Insulating Shades for Energy Efficiency

Posted: Wednesday, December 28th, 2011 | Filed under: sustainable living, window shading, window treatments

Insulation is an important factor for any window treatments, to help keep in the heat during winter and to help keep out the heat during summer. These types of functions can save tons of money in energy bills.

Energy Efficient window treatments

Energy Efficient window treatments

 

Folding shades or cellular shades are one of the most common choices for energy efficiency. Because honeycomb shades offer one of the best insulation solutions, they are used for window treatments throughout New York City and elsewhere in the northeast. With options like single, double or triples cells, you can customize your layering in these particular window shades in NYC. Folding shades are offered in a variety of fabric and color choices, making it easy to customize to match aesthetics as well as functionality. Good quality cellular shades will last years and will help reduce energy costs.

 

Another type of folding shade that is often used for insulating purposes is Roman shades. Roman shades are simple, accordion-styled shades. Standard Roman shades aren’t insulated, but if you’re looking for window treatments to serve solar functions, consider thermal roman shades, which will help keep the winter heat in your home. Also, this type of window treatment is offered in many different fabrics and textures, so customization is available.

 

A third option for energy efficient window treatments are drapery systems. This type of window treatment can also be used without insulation, but if you’re looking for solar options, consider flannel or think draperies. You can also line your current draperies with an inner thermal or thick layer to help block more of the heat from escaping your warm room.

 

All of these window treatments are great options for energy efficient homes. Insulating your rooms with window shades will help lower energy costs. With the color, patterns, fabrics and textures available in most options, it’s easy to customize your style to meet function.

Window Treatments to Keep in the Heat

Posted: Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 | Filed under: Greener living, Shading systems, sustainable living
Designer window treatments

Designer window treatments

Window treatments are more than just an accent to your home; they are great energy savers as well. Window treatments provide insulation during cold winter months and do just the opposite during summer months, repel the heat. There are many different window treatments to choose from, from folding shades to Roman shades to draperiesand beyond. Based on the types of benefits you’re looking for from your window treatments, you can start considering options for your window shades.

 

During cold weather, windows are the cause of heat loss. If you’re looking for window treatments to cover your windows during winter, there are a few different options. Roller shades offer homeowners a great solution to keeping the heat in their homes. Since roller shades offer a clean, minimal look, they are great compliments to any interior furnishings. Roller shades sit very close to the glass on windows, reducing convention currents, which doesn’t allow the heat to escape. Since roller shades are available in a wide variety of fabric options, you can meet both your design and function needs.

 

Any type of insulated window shades or blinds can help reduce heat loss in your home. Honeycomb shades are good insulators and offer a simple design element to your home. Since the honeycomb style window shades offer separation of warm and cold air, they keep the heat in and the cold out. Again, offered in a variety of fabrics and the choice single or double honeycomb configurations, you can customize your shades for both your style and function needs.

 

Draperies are also great energy savers for your home. The key to using drapery systems is to make sure gaps are closed at the top and on the sides of the window treatments. Let the draperies hang down to the floor (or window sill) “closing” the bottom gap as well. This will help keep the warmth in your home for winter, saving costs on heating bills.

Window Treatments for Winter

Posted: Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 | Filed under: sustainable living, window shading, window treatments

Window Treatments

Window Treatments

If you live on the East Coast, weather in New York City, New Jersey or elsewhere, chances are you’re no stranger to the frigid winter weather. There are different ways to keep the chill outside through your windows and window treatments.

 

Insulated windows will help keep the cold air outside, but there are other ways, from the inside, to warm up your home. Window shades are a great energy saver, for both winter and summer months. They help keep the heat inside the house during winter, and block the heat during summer. If you can mount the window shades inside the window frame, this will help close any open space. Empty space allows heat to escape.

 

Different types of folding shades can also provide insulation during cold winter months. There are many different options of window shades available, but if you’re looking for energy savers, consider folding shades. Insulated Roman shades will help keep the heat inside the house. The strong materials fight the cold, and if it’s a bright sunny day, there’s no reason you can’t fold them up to enjoy the weather. Since folding shades are available in such a variety of fabrics, you can customize your look and feel based on what you’re looking for, both style and purpose.

 

Drapery systems are also another option for window treatments. Draperies are often the preferred solar control option and can be useful for winter and summer months. If you’re considering window shades for solar control, when choosing draperies, it’s important to make sure the draperies are sealed at the top of the window. Again, with open space the heat can escape. Because draperies offer the ability to adjust based on the sun’s movement or other weather conditions, you have control over solar options.

 

There are many options for window treatments and window shades, but if you’re thinking about the cold winter weather, consider folding shades (particularly insulated) or draperies. There are both great solutions for solar control and offer a variety of style options.

Why You Should Purchase a Retractable Awning over Fixed Awning?

Posted: Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 | Filed under: retractable awnings, sustainable living, window treatments

The biggest reason to purchase a retractable awning over a fixed awning is because it’s retractable. Retractable awnings give you flexibility and can be retracted quickly at any time. Motorized retractable awnings allow you to retract the awnings at any second with the touch of a button or the flip of a switch. Fixed awnings don’t allow you to do this.

A second reason why you should consider a retractable awning over a fixed awning is its convenience in terms of weather. Retractable awnings allow you to adjust to any angle desired whenever you want. Depending on the level of the sun, you can retract your awning to the desired position. Depending on the amount of sunlight or shade you prefer, you can adjust your awning accordingly. If it snows or rains, it’s important to protect your awning by retracting it. If you retract your awning during snowstorms or heavy rain, there’s no chance it could collapse. Same thing with a windy day, retract your awning to be sure windy won’t take hold of your awning and destroy it.

Retractable awnings are great solutions for any home looking for light and heat control off the back (or even front) on their home. Installing a retractable awning instead of a fixed awning gives you flexibility if and when you ever want to move to a new location. A fixed awning is just that, fixed and requires quite a bit of construction to move. Take a walk through New York City or even the surrounding suburbs and you will see homeowners with retractable awnings all over.