Window shades provide a certain level of energy efficiency. Energy efficiency, in the case of window shades, relates to two main benefits, which are summarized here, in the order of how they affect you.
Energy Efficient Window Shades
- Cover your window with an insulating window shade, and the first thing you will notice, when standing by the window, is that you are not feeling the weather outside. Honeycomb shades are good insulating window coverings, and the double cell honeycomb shades are better at insulating, than the single cell shades. The insulating benefit is realized in every season. The window shade, whether it’s a room darkening shade, or a blackout shade, will provide the insulating, energy efficiency, from both the heat and the cold.
- The second noticeable benefit of a window shade is true energy efficiency. To varying degrees, depending on the construction of the shade, your energy costs will be less than if you did not have a window shade covering that window. This is true even if your window is covered with a real wood blind. Window blinds are great, and I have several in my home, but a real basswood wood blind will be trumped in the insulation factor, by a cellular shade, every time.
Window shades offer benefits beyond energy efficiency, including privacy and light control. And for the record, a window blind is not the same thing as a window shade. Both are window coverings, but a shade is made of a fabric material, and a blind is made of a more solid material, like wood or faux wood, or even aluminum. Another characteristic of a window blind is that it will have slats. Horizontal blinds have horizontal slats, and vertical blinds have, well you know, vertical slats.
Winter is fast approaching, so if there are drafty areas in your home, that are originating at a window, now is a good time to consider changing your window covering for an energy efficient, insulating window shade.
