| |
Posts Tagged ‘sustainable living’
 Folding shades Folding shades, particularly cellular or honeycomb shades are an excellent energy saver. If you’re in the market for new window treatments and are looking to save on energy costs, these shades are a great way to do so.
Cellular shades provide great insulation for your home. In between the cells of the shades are tiny pockets that trap air to maintain the climate within the room. Since heat moves towards the cold, during winter the heat is drawn towards the cold glass of windows to escape. The shades, particularly the pockets inside the cells block the heat from escaping, maintaining the interior temperature. The same thing happens during summer months when the cool air is trying to reach the warm glass. Whether you’re trying to keep the heat in during winter or block out the heat during summer, these folding shades do both.
Honeycomb shades are a great window treatment for both energy efficiency and light control. Most folding shades are available in a wide variety of fabric and pleat choices, making customization simple. If you’re looking for blackout fabric or a thin opacity to let the light in but still keep in your heat, those are both available.
Honeycomb shades and folding shades have been a popular choice of window treatments for as long as we can remember. If you’re looking to make your life more simple, consider motorized shades. By adding motor control technology to your window treatments, you can open and close them with the press of a button (from the other room!)
Folding shades can also be customized in other types, such as Roman shades. Roman shades. Roman shades don’t have the cell like honeycomb shades do, but provide great solar control for any room! If you are looking for energy efficient window treatments, honeycomb shades are a great option!
Tags: Energy Efficienct window treatments, Folding Shades, honeycomb shades, sustainable living | No Comments »
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.
Depending on the window(s) in your home that you’re looking to insulate, you can customize your window treatments
 Winter 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.
Tags: Green window treatments, sustainable living, window treatment styles | No Comments »
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.
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.
Tags: Shading systems, sustainable living, window shades | No Comments »
Retractable awnings are great for patios, balconies or any outdoor space where you’re looking for some shade on a bright, hot day or some protection from the rain on a gloomy day. Retractable awnings let you use your exterior areas to the fullest. Protect your patio space from heat, sun or rain with a retractable awning. Retractable awnings are not only great protection against unwanted weather, but because they are adjustable you can adjust them based on certain weather conditions.
Choosing a retractable awning over a fixed awning gives you flexibility. Motorized retractable awnings can be adjusted to any degree with the touch of a button. With motorized retractable awnings, you can also setup timers to link to weather conditions: wind, motion or sun. With automatic controls, your awning can adjust itself for you, even if you aren’t home. Retractable awnings are also easier to install that fixed awnings because they don’t require a permanent frame.
Retractable awnings are practical and can even serve as décor. With the wide selection of fabrics to choose from, customize your own retractable awning, like you would your window treatments, with designs based on your personal style and preference, or to match the exterior of your home.
Homeowners throughout New Jersey and townhouse owners throughout New York City have retractable awnings installed to keep out sun, glare and rain. By customizing your retractable awning to operate based off timers, you can reduce air conditioning costs and energy bills by over 20%!
Tags: custom window treatments, exterior window treatments, sustainable living | No Comments »
If you use the proper shading for your home there are many benefits for you and your home both. A benefit of great importance is reducing energy cost for shading your home properly. The benefits of proper shading don’t just stop there; other benefits in shading your home include reducing energy use, lowering energy cost, less fading to your prized home furnishings, and your home will have an overall comfortable temperature. The benefits listed above should be enough to get you motivated to shading your home the right way and soon.
Looking into different shading concepts when it comes to landscape design will reduce energy cost in your home. Installing patio awnings over windows or shade trees reduces room temperature up to 15 degrees saves 25% on the need for an air conditioner’s use. Not only does installing an awning over your window or planting shade trees help with room temperature but it looks very nice with a great landscaped plan.
Patio awnings and shade trees are great but often aren’t enough in regards to saving on energy cost. There are other options that are better for the home in regards to reducing energy cost as a whole. Shade installation is best for this purpose. The best shades for this purpose are exterior shade screens, sunscreen shades, shade clothes, and solar shields which prevent sun from entering windows the most.
No matter which option you chose take note that exterior shades are more effective then interior shades. Exterior shades are more effective because they block the sun’s rays before it hits your windows. If using interior blinds or drapes it is best to use light color shades or drapes because dark colors are welcoming to the sun rays. Have a cool summer and remember to install the proper shades for your needs before it gets too hot.
Tags: Home cooling, lower carbon footprint, sustainable living | No Comments »
| |