Cellular Shades Insulation and R-Value

When it comes to insulating your home, few window treatments can match the energy-saving benefits of cellular shades. These innovative shades are designed with a unique structure that traps air, creating an insulating barrier between your indoor space and the outside environment. By improving your windows’ R-value—a measure of thermal resistance—you can significantly reduce heat loss during the winter and minimize heat gain during the summer. This not only enhances comfort but also helps lower energy costs year-round.

Understanding the R-value of your window coverings is crucial in making informed decisions about energy efficiency. With EcoSmart’s cellular shades, you get a stylish and functional solution that offers exceptional thermal insulation, making your home or office more sustainable while saving on energy bills.!

Why Do Cellular Shades Insulate So Well?

Cellular Shade Fabric Is Built for Insulation!

The specially configured polyester fabric forms air pockets (cells), which trap heat and cold. When surrounded by the right material, air pockets are a tremendous insulator. In fact, that’s how most insulation works!

Do EcoSmart Shades Insulate Better Than Others?

Yes! Our Premium Fabrics are Built for Superior Insulation

Hey, this is what we were ‘born’ for! Seriously, we’re in Vermont. It’s coooold. The entire reason we came into existence nearly 40 years ago was to find a way to help our friends and neighbors keep their houses warmer without spending a lot of money. That’s why we’re committed to using only the very best insulating cellular fabrics.

You can learn all about our EcoSmart cellular honeycomb fabrics at our Cellular Fabrics Page.

Do Cellular Shades Really Make a Big Difference?

They Sure Do!

Most of us have heard that if you have single-pane windows, you must upgrade them to at least double-pane, right? Well, did you know that adding an EcoSmart cellular shade to a single-pane window provides more insulation than upgrading the window to double-pane? Depending on which type of EcoSmart cellular fabric you choose, it could add much more r-value than upgrading and would cost a whole lot less!

How Much Should I Care About Window Insulation?

A Lot! Windows Are a Huge Source of Heat/Cold Loss

That’s right, up to 30% of your heating and cooling energy could be flying right out your windows. Whether you care about saving money on your energy bills, or conserving energy to help the environment, or you just want to feel cozy and comfortable in your home, insulating your windows with EcoSmart Cellular Shades is an investment that pays you back!

What Is R-Value, Anyway?

R-Value Is the Most Common Insulation Rating.

Basically, R-value measures how well a material reduces energy (heat) gain or loss. It’s a measure of thermal resistance, used most commonly with building and construction materials. The higher the R-value, the more energy you are saving!

What Is the R-Value of EcoSmart Cellular Shades?

EcoSmart Shades Add Tremendous R-Value

The R-value of our EcoSmart Cellular Shades depends on the type of fabric selected. See the chart below for details. The chart shows the R-value of each type of shade alone, and the combined R-values of our shades with various types of windows. Our cellular shades outperform nearly every type of window covering on the market!

EcoSmart 2.0 Insulating Cellular Shades R-Value Chart full

Do You Wanna See Something Cool... Er, Hot?

We Got Our Hands on an Infrared Camera!

And this was the result. First, we measured the window glass with no shade on the window. Then, we installed one of our EcoSmart Cellular Room Darkening Shades and measured the glass temperature again. Finally, we added Energy Saving Side Tracks. Mind blown, right??