Studies have shown that nearly 30% of a home’s heating energy could be lost through glazing. In cooler seasons, approximately 76% of the sunlight energy that radiates on standard double-glass windows becomes heat. So its fair to say that window coverings can help with regulating the energy loss and gain in your home. The exact cost benefits will depend on the type of window, the space and the season.
Adjustable Window Coverings
Adjustable window coverings give you the flexibility to choose whether to keep your window coverings open or closed for privacy. They are the opposite of static window blinds. Not every window covering is adjustable, but of those that are, one study undertaken found that approximately 75% of domestic residential window coverings remain static for the entire day.
For the maximal thermal gain in the winter, if it’s sunny outside open the window coverings to maximise the sunlight heat entering into your home throughout the day—especially if it’s direct sunlight coming through.
In the summer, you may want to close your window coverings to keep the room cooler and reduce any thermal gain. For natural light, you could opt for a sheer fabric which dims the sunlight but also lets a % of light through.
Cellular Fabric
Cellular fabric is essentially two sets of pleated material bonded together to form a ‘Honeycomb’ shape. The double-walled honeycomb structure traps air in its cells to help maintain warmth in the winter whilst also reducing the exchange of heat in those summer months.
Cellular blinds are typically considered to have one of the highest R-values of all blinds. The air pockets in the honeycomb increase the R-value and help to reduce the transmission of heat through the window.
In those winter months, if your blinds are closely installed against the window recess cellular blinds may help to reduce heat loss through glazing by approximately 40%, which equates to around about 10% energy savings. In summer, cellular blinds can help to reduce unwanted solar heat through glazing approximately 60%.
Read: SONA’s Motorised Blinds: 5 Reasons why it’s worth the Investment?
Roman & Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are the most common blind type on the market today. They are usually a cost-effective option as the blinds market is saturated with supply. Roman blinds however are more of a bespoke luxury fabric blind that are drawn up into a series of evenly stacked pleats when open or closed.
Both these blinds usually fit inside of the window recess, or just outside, and they come in a wide choice of hardware, fabrics, and textures. Thicker fabrics more typically on roman blinds will offer slightly enhanced thermal benefit, but roman and roller blinds offer only a small amount of insulation when compared to cellular blinds.
Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds also known as horizontal slat blinds are effective at reducing summer heat gain and reducing unwanted glare, whilst at the same time also providing sufficient daylight into the space.
Due to the large number of openings between each blind slat, it’s difficult to control heat loss with venetian blinds, venetian blinds are much more suited for the summer months as opposed to winter.
Read also: Motorised Blinds Buying Guide