02 Jul How Shades Improve Energy Efficiency

How Shades Improve Energy Efficiency

Shades are an often underutilized type of window treatment that offers a full range of energy-saving benefits. Read on to learn about how shades work to conserve energy and about how they can save energy in your home.

Cellular design

Also known as honeycomb shades due to their honeycomb cell design, cellular shades are known for being a particularly energy efficient window treatment. Much like the design of the two-pane window, the design of cellular shades, which features long, horizontal “cells” arranged vertically, was created to trap air. Some types of cellular shades, called double cellular shades, will actually feature two columns of these long, horizontal cells. The cells can also be of various sizes. When the air is trapped in the individual cells, warm air is less likely to seep into the home during the summer, and cold air is less likely to seep into the home during the winter. The cellular design of cellular shades makes for a truly insulating type of window treatment.

Dual toned

Shades do not have to feature a cellular design in order to be energy efficient. Flat roller shades will often feature dual tones, with one highly reflective (white) side and one heat absorbing (dark) side. These shades can even be reversed according to season, so that the reflective side can cast off heat during the summer months and so that the heat absorbing side can work to absorb heat during the colder winter months.

Fiber batting

Many roller and Roman shades will contain several layers of fiber batting and sealed edges. This batting acts as insulation and as an air barrier, controlling air infiltration more effectively.

An air barrier

Shades are designed to be mounted as close to the glass as possible, with the edges of the shades reaching close to the wall in order to create a sealed air space. This air space further works to prevent air temperatures outdoors from affecting air temperatures indoors.

Light control

All of these features are great for improving energy efficiency, but what about those times when you want to let natural sunlight into the home, reducing the need to turn on the lights? Many shades are designed to be sheer enough to effectively let sunlight in, eliminating the need to constantly be rolling up the shades. Shades also come in room darkening and blackout options for those who need to shut out sunlight.