White and beige living room with white polywood shutters above a white couch.

The R-Value Of Window Treatments And Shutters In Destin

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency might be a big need for your window treatments in Destin. With a bad choice, you have a better chance of heat loss with your windows, which may lead to higher heating and cooling costs. To discover the most energy-efficient window coverings, you should to see their R-values.

But which window treatments own the biggest R-value in Destin?

What’s A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Destin?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

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

But why care about a window treatment’s R-value in Destin? It just so happens that your windows are one of the most common energy wasters in your home. If you want to trap in the warm air during wintertime or keep your rooms comfortable in the warm times, you have to have a window treatment with good insulation. A window covering with a large R-value allows you to keep your home at an optimal temperature.

Window Treatment R-value Chart

Every window covering is not built equally, at least not when it comes to insulation. Though there may be a little variation with the materials and quality between makes and models, below is what you’re probably to find when comparing window coverings.

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

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

Keep in mind, the larger the R-value the more efficient the window treatment. It shouldn’t be a shock that mini-blinds, which are made with thin aluminum, give you almost no protection when compared to a more solid product, like faux-wood shutters. That large span in R-value can result in a variance of several degrees – enough to feel an impact on whether you crank up the temperature and increase your energy use.

What Are The Factors In A Window Covering’s R-Value In Destin?

Light gray cellular shades inside a white and rustic styled living room.

A few factors affect a window covering's R-value: build and substance. To start with, coverings that have lots of ways for heat loss will not get a effective R-value. For instance, blinds don’t firmly cover the window, allowing hot air to flow around the bottom and sides of the covering. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-crafted snuggly around the window, trapping heat against the window when the louvers are shut.

Then what the window treatment is made out of can have a big bump in R-value. Take cell shades, which use precisely positioned layers of fabric that create “cells” to trap hot air. As a result, they will stop temperature loss more efficiently than treatments like pleated shades. Likewise, our Polywood louvered shutters, made from a impenetrable faux wood polymer, can trap heat more than natural wood shutters. Polywood shutters also use seamless weatherstripping, which creates a air-tight seal sound your windows when the louvers and panels are completely shut.

Improve Your Home's R-value In Destin

Does it feel like your home could be a little more comfortable? How about changing to quality faux-wood shutters to raise your R-value? Contact Sunburst Shutters Destin by calling 850-203-0419 or submit the form below to book your free in-home consultation.

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