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Energy Efficiency And R-Value Of Window Treatments In Fort Lauderdale

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency might be a big want for your window treatments in Fort Lauderdale. With an inefficient treatment, your windows could suffer from heat loss, which can lead to higher heating and cooling bills. To find the best energy-efficient window coverings, you should to look at their R-values.

But which window treatments have the highest R-value in Fort Lauderdale?

How Can You Find A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Fort Lauderdale?

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Everything in your house that contributes to insulation -- from the walls to your windows -- has an R-value. That rating lets you know how well an item hinders thermal energy from going through it. A higher R-value tells you that the item is a better insulator.

So why should you worry about a window treatment’s R-value in Fort Lauderdale? Well, because your windows are one of the most prevalent heat loss areas in your house. If you need to keep in the heat during wintertime or keep your house comfortable in warmer weather, you will need a window treatment with greater insulation. A window treatment with a high R-value allows you to keep your home at the set temperature.

Window Covering R-value Comparison Table

Every window treatment is not built with the same care, at least not when it comes to insulation. Though there might be some variation with the building material and craftsmanship between convergent models and companies, here’s what you’re likely to see when looking at different window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Bare window	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Window shades	2.5
Draperies	2 - 3
Real wood Shutters	3 - 4
Honeycomb Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

Source: R-values from Energy.gov and HouseLogic.

Keep in mind, the bigger the R-value number the more energy-efficient the window treatment. It shouldn’t be a shock that cheap blinds, usually made of thin aluminum, offer almost no energy-saving value when compared to a more weighty treatment, like durable faux-wood interior shutters. That large gap in R-value can result in a difference of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on whether you crank up the temperature and make your energy bills rise.

What Contributes To A Window Treatment’s R-Value In Fort Lauderdale?

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A few factors affect a window treatment’s R-value: build and materials. To start with, treatments that have an ample amount of avenues for heat loss will not own a effective R-value. For instance, blinds and curtains don’t firmly cover the window, allowing hot air to leak out around the bottom and sides of the treatment. However, interior shutters are custom-made to fit around the window opening, keeping air against the window’s glass when the louvers are completely shut.

Secondly, what materials the product is constructed with can also bring a significant bump in R-value. Take honeycomb shades, which are made with several engineered layers of fabric which make “cells” to trap air. As a result, they can block temperature disbursement more efficiently than coverings like roller shades. Likewise, our Polywood plantation shutters, built from a durable faux wood composite, can trap heat loss more than hard wood shutters. Polywood shutters also employs seamless weatherstripping, which results in a snug seal when the louvers are snapped shut.

Increase Your House’s R-value In Fort Lauderdale

Does it seem like your house could be a bit more energy-efficient? How about changing to durable Polywood shutters to raise that R-value? Contact us today by dialing 561-440-8535 or submit the form below for a no-cost in-home consultation.

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