One factor worth considering as you’re weighing the various options for your custom window coverings is energy efficiency. Energy efficient window coverings can provide significant savings on heating and cooling costs. And who doesn’t want to reinvigorate their home with beautiful custom window treatments, while also reducing their utility bill in the process?
Unfortunately in the custom window coverings industry many claims regarding the energy efficiency of certain products are thrown around without much data to support the claims. Consequently, what we won’t do in this blog is make any claims about the energy efficiency values of our products. What we will do is present data that has been developed by various independent studies, to provide an objective overview on the energy efficiency of various product categories.
Plantation shutters are energy efficient window treatments. There are two main types of window shutters – interior shutters and exterior shutters – and both can help reduce heat gain during summer and heat loss during winter.Window shutters made from solid materials are most effective energy reducing window treatments. They are usually made of wood panels that come with a vapor barrier and an added decorative covering like drapery which increases its insulating functionality.
Most of the plantation shutters in the market come with radiation barrier that prevents them from absorbing the sun’s heat decreasing heat gain in a room during summer. On the other hand, closing the shutters tight during winter helps it provide air space insulation between the shutter and the window thereby decreasing heat loss. Interior plantation shutters are an excellent way to help keep your home cooler in the warm summer months.With better insulated homes, warmer summers, and some homes not having air conditioning in the US, homeowners are trying to find new ways of reducing heat gain in their home.
Several years ago, queries about reducing heat gain were generally related to shading conservatories. However, we have seen a marked increase of enquiries relating to how plantation shutters can help shade all the windows in a residential home.
