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

Energy Efficiency And R-Value Of Window Treatments In Chicago

June 23, 2022

Energy conservation might be a huge want for your windows. With the wrong treatment, your windows could have heat loss, which can lead to higher heating and cooling bills. To find the best energy-efficient window treatments, you need to look at their R-values.

But what window treatments own the biggest R-value in Chicago?

What Is A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Chicago?

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Everything in your residence that contributes to insulation -- from the walls to windows -- is assigned an R-value. That rating lets you know how well an item hinders thermal energy from going through it. A bigger R-value indicates a more effective insulator.

So why care about a window treatment’s R-value in Chicago? It just so happens that windows are one of the biggest areas of heat loss in the home. If you need to trap in the warm air during wintertime or keep your rooms cooler in the warm times, you will need a window covering with greater insulation. A window covering with a high R-value lets you keep your rooms at an optimal temperature.

Window Treatment R-value Comparison Chart

Every window treatment is not made with the same thickness, and therefore different treatments have different r-values. Though there can be a little variation with the material and build between different models and companies, here’s what you’re going to find when comparing window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Only glass	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Shades	2.5
Drapes	2 - 3
Hardwood Shutters	3 - 4
Cell Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

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

Remember, the bigger the R-value the more energy-efficient the window covering. It shouldn’t be a shock that mini-blinds, which are made with thin aluminum, offer almost no protection when compared to a more substantial covering, like Polywood shutters. That big difference in R-value can show up in a distinction of several degrees – enough to make an influence on whether you crank up the thermostat and waste money or not.

What Raises A Window Covering’s R-Value In Chicago?

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A few things affect a window treatment’s R-value: build and materials. To start with, coverings that have lots of paths for heat to escape won’t get a effective R-value. For instance, curtains and blinds dangle down, allowing hot air to escape around the sides of the treatment. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-crafted to fit around the window, trapping air against the window’s glass when the louvers are shut.

Then what materials the covering is made out of can also bring a big impact to insulation. Take honeycomb shades, which are made with several engineered layers of fabric designed to trap hot air. As a result, they will hinder air flow more effectively than products like Roman shades. Likewise, our Polywood plantation shutters, made from a solid faux wood polymer, can trap heat loss more than more porous wood shutters. Polywood shutters also use weatherstripping, which makes a tight seal on your window when the louvers and panels are completely shut.

Improve Your Home's R-value In Chicago

Do you feel like your home could be a bit more comfortable? How about changing to Polywood shutters to raise your R-value? Contact us today by dialing 847-250-6544 or submitting the form below to get your free in-home consultation.

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