The 4 Best Window Treatments for Energy Efficiency 

Windows provide natural light and great views. But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Perhaps you have a west facing window that heats up your room on summer afternoons. Or maybe your windows are older and are drafty during the winter. Either way, installing the right window covering can make a difference in how your home feels plus lower your energy bills! Today, we are taking a look at the best window coverings for energy efficiency. 

Why The Window Covering You Choose Matters

All window treatments offer some protection from the sun and elements. However, there are some that are more energy efficient than others. While your unique style, needs, and taste matter, how energy efficient your window treatment is can make a difference. The right window covering can make your home more comfortable. We all want to be able to enjoy every space in our homes and find respite there after a long day. So here are some things that can make your window treatments more energy efficient:

• A pocketed design, multiple layers of fabric, or a lining
• Wood (it’s a natural insulator!)
• A perfect fit (this minimizes gaps that hot and cold air can seep through)
• A window treatment that is installed directly to your window casing

The Top 4 Energy Efficient Window Treatments

1 | Cellular Shades

Cellular shades, also known as honeycomb shades, are the most energy efficient window treatment out there. Their pocketed design traps both hot and cold air. You can opt for single, double, or triple layer pockets–the more layers, the more energy efficient they are! You can also add a lining to the back, like solar, room darkening, or blackout, for even more energy efficiency.

But don’t worry, these aren’t your grandmother’s cellular shades. Today, this window treatment is sleek and modern. You can choose from a variety of materials and colors to match your personal style. We recommend getting cordless cellular shades for those who have small children, pets, or just like clean lines. 

Our favorite thing about cellular shades: The fabric lends a softness to your windows while you still get clean lines from the structured pleats. 

2 | Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are installed directly to your window opening (casing). This minimizes gaps that hot and cold air can seep through. After cellular shades, interior shutters are the second most energy efficient window covering. You can choose from a variety of operation and functionality options, materials (wood or composite), and colors. You can also layer them with shades or custom drapes for a more luxurious look and even more energy efficiency!

For the most energy efficient option, we recommend real wood shutters as wood is a natural insulator. However, we do not recommend installing real wood window treatments in rooms with high humidity, like kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. Faux wood (composite) shutters give you the look and feel of real wood without the upkeep. If you want to mix and match faux and real wood throughout your house, you totally can and no one would be the wiser! 

Our favorite thing about interior shutters: These are the most desirable window treatments and home buyers are willing to shell out more money for homes that have them. This means that interior shutters are the only window treatment to add real value to your home, making them an incredible investment! 

3 | Fabric Shades with a Lining

Shades, including roller shades and roman shades, can come with linings like solar, room darkening, and blackout. These extra layers of fabric add more insulation, keeping the temperature in your home more constant so your HVAC doesn’t have to work so hard. Plus, you get the benefit of functionality with linings like room darkening and blackout. These linings are great for bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms, and offices where you need darker environments and less screen glare. 

There are so many types of shades and even a classic like roman shades comes in several different styles. So whether you like softer pleats or more structured modern pleats, there’s something for everyone. Plus, there are seemingly endless options for color and pattern. 

What we love about fabric shades with linings: These soft window treatments add subtle texture to your room and you can select between neutrals to create a soft backdrop for your room, or bold and playful for a more dramatic punch. The choice is up to you! 

4 | Solar Shades

Solar shades are a great option for businesses and main living areas in homes with bright, sunny windows. Solar shades are designed to block/filter sunlight while not destroying your view. They also filter UV light, which can damage your furniture and floors. 

Because of the material solar shades are made from and how they are designed to work, we don’t recommend installing solar shades in rooms that require privacy at night. During the day, the view into your home is blocked, but at night with the lights on, you can see through solar shades. So keep them to businesses or main living areas in your home where privacy isn’t a concern. 

What we love most about solar shades: The sleek, minimalist style makes them a top choice for businesses and modern homes. When open, it rolls up into a nice little stack, and when drawn, you won’t have to pull out your sunglasses just to see inside your business or home. 

Custom Window Coverings are Better!

Custom window coverings offer more options and variety. They are also made to fit your specific and unique window size, minimizing gaps for hot and cold air to seep through. This makes custom the far superior option for energy efficiency. 

Elevate Your View Today

At Elevated Views, we believe the right window covering can change your point of view–literally! The right window treatment can help insulate your home and lower your energy bill. We offer top notch service along the Front Range of Colorado with high-quality products that stand the test of time. 

Schedule a free in-home consultation and quote and we’ll bring the showroom to you. Plus, ask about our military, educator, new home, and repeat customer discounts.