Did you know that up to 30% of your heating and cooling energy could be flying right out your windows? That’s right. But what a lot of folks don’t know is that a simple way to prevent this loss of energy is to invest in insulating shades.
Whether you care about saving money on your energy bills or you just want to feel comfortable in your home all year round, insulating your windows using shades is an investment that pays you back.
These shades significantly reduce heat loss during the winter and keep your home cooler in the summer, all while adding style to your space.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the right insulated window shades for your needs? That’s why we created a guide to what to look for, from the experts at EcoSmart Shades.
What Do We Mean By Insulation?
When we talk about insulation in the context of window shades, we’re referring to the ability of the shades to resist the transfer of heat between the inside of your home and the outside environment. Insulation works by creating a barrier that slows down this heat exchange, helping to keep warm air inside during the winter and blocking hot air from entering during the summer.
The effectiveness of this barrier is measured by the R-value, with higher values indicating better insulation. Insulated window shades are designed to enhance this barrier, using materials like cellular fabrics that trap air and reduce thermal conductivity. This not only makes your home more comfortable, but leads to energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling.
Elements to Consider
While we’re a big fan of using shades to insulate our homes, not all shades are built with insulating properties. Be sure to look for the following elements to make sure that the shades you’re buying are built to provide effective insulation.
1. Material
The effectiveness of insulated window shades largely depends on the materials used in their construction. Look for shades made from high-quality, durable fabrics that have insulating properties. Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are particularly popular for their excellent insulation properties. They’re built with multiple layers of “cells” that trap air, creating a barrier between the window and the room, which helps to regulate temperature.
Our recommendation: For maximum insulation, consider our cell-in-cell cellular shades. These shades have more layers of cells, providing better thermal performance.
2. R-Value
The R-value of a window shade indicates its resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. When shopping for insulated window shades, pay attention to this rating, as shades with a high R-value will offer superior energy efficiency, helping you save on heating and cooling costs.
Our recommendation: For maximum R-value, invest in our energy-saving side tracks: easy-to-install tracks that seal the edges of your shades, preventing drafts and increasing insulation for greater energy efficiency.
3. Light Control and Privacy
While the insulating properties of shades are certainly important, there are other factors to consider as well– such as the amount of light control and privacy you’ll need in your space.
Before purchasing shades, consider the amount of light control and privacy you need in each room. Our insulating shades are available in fabrics from light-filtering to blackout, allowing you to select the level of light control needed in your home.
Our recommendation: For spaces such as ground-floor bedrooms or offices that would benefit from natural light but also require privacy, consider our top-down/bottom-up cellular shades. Because these shades are built with cellular fabric they’re excellent insulators that can be raised from the bottom or lowered from the top for exactly the amount of privacy you’re looking for.
4. Operation Style
Insulated window shades come with various operating mechanisms, including corded, cordless, and motorized options. Cordless and motorized shades are safer for homes with children and pets, while also providing a cleaner look. Motorized shades, which can be operated via remote control or smart home systems, add a layer of convenience, especially for hard-to-reach windows.
Our recommendation: For added safety and convenience, put your motorized shades on a timer. Many of our customers appreciate their shades rising and lowering with the sun, whether the intent is to maximize energy efficiency or their sleep.
5. Your Personal Style
We’re proud to offer insulated window shades in a variety of colors and styles. Once you’ve decided on the material, fabric type, and operation style, take a look at the colors available to find the one that best fits both your space and style preferences.
Our recommendation: To get the best sense of what the fabric of your choosing looks like in your space, we offer free fabric samples mailed right to your door. Take advantage of this opportunity by ordering fabric samples here.
With questions about which style of insulating window shades are right for your space, be sure to reach out to our team of Shade Gurus for recommendations tailored to your needs.