Window treatments can actually keep your home cool–and not just by blocking the sunshine. Today, we’ll investigate why your home might heat up during the summer and explore ways to keep the heat at bay. We have some favorite energy saving window treatments that can help in this process. But first, let’s unpack this important topic before the dog days of summer.
The Culprit: Heat Transfer
Heat transfer is what causes some areas of our homes to feel uncomfortably warm during summer. It’s also the reason homeowners rarely leave their windows exposed without treatments. Although we appreciate the warmth of the sun on a chilly morning, we try to avoid that hot, stuffy feeling at all costs. Understanding the three types of heat transfer is key. This can help us manage the comfort level inside our homes more easily.
Radiant Heat: For better understanding, complete this task: Follow a sun ray through your window to the floor, the sun ray itself doesn’t feel warm, but the place where it lands heats up. A “hot spot” like this is a favorite hangout for pets since it’s warm and cozy, but the heat produced will radiate, causing the interior temps in your home to rise with nowhere for the hot air to go.
Convection: Technically, convection is the process of two temperatures of air being drawn to each other. Let’s break it down. Outdoors, moving air tends to draw warm air to a cool window and vice versa. This works against our desire to maintain comfortable temperatures inside our home. You’ll need window treatments with insulating properties that can provide a proper barrier to warm and cold.
Conduction: Simply put, this is heat transferred through a solid object. (Think hot stone massage.) When sunshine heats up your windows, this solid object (the window) will then transfer heat into the interior atmosphere. To avoid this, evaluate the integrity of your windows–they may need to be replaced–and add insulating window treatments for extra protection.
Can Window Coverings Prevent Heat Gain?
You can’t argue with science, heat gain is the result of heat transfer. No matter what you do, your home may still feel warm and stuffy-even with the AC running. Window treatments help reduce radiant heat by preventing the sun from shining into your home. In the above photo, bare windows allow sunshine to cover the entire room. Here, every surface will be affected by heat transfer. The floor will absorb heat and share it with the air–NO THANK YOU. This is a perfect example of why window coverings are important to keep your home cool.
Premium Energy Saving Shades
Honeycomb Shades are an industry favorite and top choice in energy saving shades. The cellular structure of the shades include air pockets, this creates a barrier trapping the air. This technology keeps the exterior air from influencing the temps inside of our home. We should also point out that honeycombs stack nicely at the top of the window when raised, allowing your window to shine unobstructed.
In addition, the concept of trapping air through cellular pockets has influenced another window treatment product. Our Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades combine cellular technology with the convenience of roller shade operation. These thermal shades offer a great barrier of protection, easily helping you keep your home cool in the summer. They improve your view outside by rolling up and out of the way.
Another long-standing energy efficient option for windows is Draperies. This trusted source will keep your home cool in the most basic way, by blocking the sun. Today, you can choose how much protection your home needs by customizing the weight of the materials used. Anything from light, airy, sheer fabrics to heavy fabrics backed with protective liners will add the most protection.
Plantation Shutters have a unique way of cooling your home. Their adjustable louvers, when closed flat, keep light from entering completely. When sunshine stays out, there are no surfaces heating up and this way no heat transfer can happen. Even when the slats are open a bit, allowing light to enter, the direct light doesn’t come into contact with surfaces. In their own unique way, shutters offer a great barrier, framing in the window, and slowing air flow. They look incredible too.
Now, when Roman shades are lowered, the folds of fabric create a waterfall shape that reduces the air flow. During the summer, air flow can be very warm and will quickly heat up your home. The plan is to reduce the flow and reduce the warming effect. Even rolling roman shades can prevent heat gain by stopping sunlight at the window.
Another product worthy of mention are our Sheer Shades. These have a reflective quality facing the exterior of your home. Sheer shades not only diffuse the direct light, but because they reflect sunshine outside, much of the heat transfer can be reduced. Even with the vanes open a bit to view out, the difference of bare windows compared to covered is dramatic.
Let’s Keep Your Home Cool!
Summer is summer, and your home will heat up. It’s our mission to help you control the heat and keep your home as comfortable as you can this season. We believe window treatments are the answer. Don’t let bare windows keep you from enjoying your summer! Our window covering specialists love a challenge. Invite us to visit your home–we can give you advice about your home’s specific needs and how to fix your most challenging issues. Enjoy a FREE design consult today.