Windows are wonderful for allowing light into rooms. However, they are also an area where heat can escape in winter and unwanted Solar Gain can heat rooms unbearably in Summer. This is where Window Coverings can help.

So, What are the Indoor Shading Options

Simply covering your window will help improve insulation by creating an Air Gap, however there are some Options that are better than others.

The following are some examples, Good tends to be the more cost effective option with Best being more expensive, however Best will reduce energy consumption more, so reduce energy bills further.

Roller Blinds

There are many different designs of Roller Blinds, and using a standard, light filtering blind will improve insulation. Alternatively, fitting the same blind outside the recess will reduce gaps for cold air ingress and heat escape. Fitting a Roller Blind outside the recess with a Solar Reflective Coating on the window facing side of the fabric improves insulation even further.

Roman Blinds

Roman Blinds typically fit tightly inside the recess, leaving small gaps for heat escape, or cold ingress. Fitting a Roman Blind with a lining gives 2 layers of fabric at the window, improving insulation. Using an Interlining between the 2 layers of fabric gives a third, fluffy layer to trap the air.

Pleated Blinds

Pleated Blinds also fit tightly into the recess. A single pleat blind will create an air gap, however using a single pleat fabric with a Solar Reflective Coating on the window facing side of the fabric will help to further reduce Solar Gain in the Summer and Heat Loss in the Winter. A Cellular Pleated Fabric is an even better choice as the Honeycomb structure of the blinds created a further Air Gap, making it more insulative.

Shutters

Shutters fit tightly in the recess, meaning, when the louvres are closed, there are few gaps for heat to escape or cold creep in. Shutters also have the advantage that the louvres can be tilted in the summer months to provide shading, without blocking the light.

As wood is naturally a very good insulator, using a Wooden Shutter will give a better performance than an MDF Shutter.

This is not an exhaustive list of options, there are many more, and the type of Blind chosen will have many factors, not just energy saving. Please contact us if you would like a quotation on how Blinds can help reduce your energy consumption

Lets Finish with some facts*.

Air Conditioning currently accounts for 10% of the world’s electricity use.

Modelling shows that internal shading can save up to 16% HVAC energy thus reducing the need for Air Conditioning

A single glazed window can have its insulation improved by over 50% with the use of internal Shading

We spend up to 90% of our lives indoors, making improvements to internal environments helps to improve mental and physical wellbeing. Shading helps to reduce eyestrain from glair, and thus headaches.

Higher indoor temperatures can result in increased Stress and Blood Pressure. Making use of Internal shading can help reduce these symptoms and improve quality of life

All of this shows why window shading is so important, so contact us today to upgrade yours.

*Based on information from independent studies by the BBSA (British Blinds and Shutters Association) and The National Energy Foundation