The winter season is here and so are the festivities. For many of us the coziest and warmest corner of our house is the best place to reside. But as the winter chill seeps in, even enjoying the coziness of your house can become a challenge. The right winter treatments, however, can provide better insulation. If you prefer a clean and chic look over the flowing elegance of draperies, blinds and shades are the better choice. To that end there are different types designed to provide good insulation and hence keep your home warmer.
Before you invest in expensive shades and blinds, make it a habit to do certain things to keep your home warmer, irrespective of your current window coverings.
Even if your window treatments aren’t designed to insulate, covering the windows well and keeping them shut will make your home comparatively warm. They act as a mild barrier against the cold if there’s no leakage through which the chill can slip through. The thickness of the window coverings is a major factor in enhancing their insulating properties. Hence, it’s better to choose a blind or shade made of thicker materials for winters.
An effective way to make your home warmer is to layer the different types of window coverings. A few options include pairing drapes with blinds and shades or using a UV screen on the window glass along with roman blinds. Choose materials that are energy efficient if you have customized blinds or shades.
You can also check out this blog to learn more about the preventive measures that will help you better insulate your house against the cold.
The following types of blinds and shades help keep out the winter chill.
The materials used here are very thick and have insulating properties to keep your home warm, thus using insulated blinds can lower your energy bills. The key is to choose the right type of material.
Roman shades are beautiful and versatile which makes them a popular choice among homeowners. They are fabric blinds that can be made with different types of materials. Choosing a heavier material like a thermal fabric will elevate the room temperature and at the same time create a cozy, beautiful interior.
Blinds made of bamboo or wood slats add an earthy touch to your interior décor. Depending on the gaps between the slats, they’re also effective at providing insulation. However, this may not be a good choice when used alone if you’re looking for window covering for optimum thermal protection. When paired with velvet drapes or window films for UV protection and insulation, they do a good job of keeping your home warm.
The materials used to make blackout blinds usually have a blackout lining on their back-side. The thicker the lining, the better the insulation it will provide. Besides temperature control, blackout blinds can also help you sleep better as they block any light from entering your bedroom. To get optimum insulation using these blinds, shut them at night. If you want them open, do so during the morning when it’s sunny to prevent heat loss.
The honeycomb shapes of these window coverings are designed to trap and circulate warm air. They are made with fabrics pleated in an accordion style to create a barrier between cold windows and your home. The structure of these shades looks fragile but they are very effective in elevating the room temperature.
Vertical blinds are made of vinyl which traps heat. When you close them properly, the slats overlap and seal tightly against your window, warming your home. The vertical style also looks and feels chic, making it perfect for a minimalist home.
Shades and blinds impart a cleaner, crisper look to your home than drapes and curtains. However, to combat the cold, choosing materials that provide some amount of UV protection and insulation is important. The above-mentioned types of window coverings are some of the most popular choices homeowners make for the winter season.
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