Best Blinds to Keep Heat Out During Hot Summer Months
As summer is fast approaching, many of us are starting to think about ways to keep our homes cool and comfortable during the hot, sunny days. One effective way to do this is by choosing the right window coverings, which can keep heat out by blocking the sunlight entering the room and becoming hot. This can cool down your room and make it more comfortable while lowering your energy bill at the same time.
Whether you lean towards the classic look of shutters or blinds, or the versatility of shades or curtains, choose a window treatment that suits your unique requirements and enhances the comfort of your living spaces to beat the heat all season long.
Here are the 4 kinds of window treatments that can help keep the heat at bay:
- Shades that trap hot air
- Window coverings that block the light
- External shading that block direct light from outside
- Other options of light control and privacy
Shades That Trap Hot Air
Summer heat can be unbearable, especially when it seeps into your home. Maintaining a cool and cozy home environment is top priority for many of us. Window treatments that effectively trap hot air can significantly contribute to energy efficiency while keeping your living spaces pleasant.
Cellular Shades
Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are a popular choice for keeping heat out. One of the primary functions of these shades is their ability to improve energy efficiency. They are designed to trap hot air in their honeycomb-like cells and prevent it from passing through windows, creating a layer of insulation. This helps to block out outdoor heat and lower the temperature of your home.
Shutters
Shutters are classic and timeless window coverings that offer both style and functionality. They are made of solid materials like wood or vinyl and often attached to the window frame. When opened, they can be adjusted to let in as much or as little light as you like. When closed, they trap the hot air between the window glass and the covering, providing excellent barrier against heat build-up. Shutters are brilliant insulators, helping to reduce heat transfer through windows.
Window Coverings That Block the Light
Window treatments with light-blocking linings can be a great way to help maintain an optimal interior temperature. Roller shades, Roman shades, curtains, and drapes are all popular choices for blocking exterior daylight effectively. With any of these window treatments, you can rest assured that your interior space will maintain a pleasant atmosphere.
Roller Shades
Roller shades are made from a single piece of fabric that rolls up and down, and they come in a variety of materials, including blackout, room-darkening and solar fabrics. Blackout and room-darkening fabrics are ideal for blocking out light and heat, while solar fabrics are designed to filter light but still provide some visibility.
Roman Shades
Roman shades are made from one piece of fabric that can be folded up neatly like an accordion when you want to let light in. Some Roman shades also have a thermal lining that helps to insulate your home. They offer a perfect blend of style and functionality, allowing you to effortlessly manage light and privacy in any room.
Curtains and Drapes
One of the primary functions of thick, lined curtains and drapes is to provide privacy and control over natural light. They act as insulation layers, helping to reduce heat transfer and maintain a chill indoor temperature. The UV-blocking fabrics can help prevent any of the nasty sun damage that could mess up your stuff, preserving the quality and longevity of your valuable possessions.
Block Light Directly from Outside
Window treatments alone may not be enough to keep all heat out. Other factors, like external shading or awning, can also impact the temperature inside your home. You can create a comfortable living space even on the hottest days of the year by using a combination of other methods.
External Blinds & Shades
Installing external blinds or shades is the way to go if you want to keep that pesky sun glare out of your bed. They are designed to be mounted on the outside of your windows, which helps to block out the heat before it even reaches the window glass. They are particularly effective for windows that receive a lot of direct sunlight. For maximum insulation, consider installing insulated storm windows which will keep your place cozy and block out even more of daylight.
Exterior Solar Screen
Another option to consider is exterior solar screens that are installed on the outside of your house or porch windows. They are designed to block heat and light from your windows, reduce glare, provide privacy, and protect your home from harmful UV rays. With all these features, exterior solar screens are cost effective and can save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
Outdoor Awnings
Outdoor awnings offer a timeless solution for blocking sunlight and heat infiltration into your indoor spaces. They are mounted on the exterior of your home, providing effective sunshade and temperature control. Additionally, awnings offer protection against rain and wind, extending their benefits to create a comfortable and inviting outdoor living area. Besides conventional awnings, patio awnings are also a valuable investment for any homeowner.
Flexible Options of Light Control and Privacy
If you want to keep your space cool while still having flexibility in light control and privacy, venetian blinds, vertical blinds, sliding panel track blinds, and layered window treatments are ideal options. They allow precise light control by adjusting the slats or panels, allowing you to determine the desired level of natural light.
Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds offer versatile light control and privacy options. They are made of slats that can be tilted to control the amount of light and heat that enters your space. By angling the slats upwards, you can block direct sunlight while still allowing natural light to filter through.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are similar to Venetian blinds but have vertical slats. They provide effective heat control by blocking direct sunlight and offering privacy. With vertical blinds, you can tilt the slats to control how much light and heat you want to let it. They serve as an excellent option for managing larger windows or sliding doors, providing both aesthetic and practicality to your living spaces.
Sliding Panel Track Blinds
Sliding panel track blinds are a modern and stylish solution for floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding door, and patio doors. They feature wide fabric panels that slide horizontally and can easily be swapped in different seasons. The blackout panel blinds serve as an excellent choice for providing additional light and heat-blocking capabilities. You can open the blinds to stack on the left or right, in the middle, or split from center to stack on both sides according to your needs.
Layered Window Treatments
Layered window treatments offer an effective solution for privacy and sunlight blockage in your house. You can adjust the level of light and privacy to suit your needs by combining different types or opacity levels of treatments, such as curtains, blinds, shades, or even valances.
Layering window treatments not only can significantly improve the energy efficiency, but also allow you to customize the look of your home with a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, maintaining a visually appealing aesthetic. All of these benefits make layered window treatments a great option to consider for improving your home's energy efficiency.
It's important to note that some heat may still seep into your home through gaps around the windows or from other sources. However, by using energy-efficient window treatments in combination with other cooling techniques, like air conditioning or fans, you can enhance the comfort of your living space during scorching summer days. Now, say goodbye to the heat!
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