The Three Most Energy-Efficient Window Coverings
bwsit • April 28, 2017

In these days of ever-rising energy costs, everyone can benefit from new ways to save even more on their heating and air conditioning bills. One way to do just that is by choosing window coverings that boost energy savings through their excellent insulating properties. And the good news is that you don’t have to sacrifice great looks for practicality, because the most energy-efficient window coverings just happen to be as good-looking as they are practical! That’s a perfect definition of a classic win-win situation!

Before we talk about these energy-efficient window treatments, let’s take a quick “refresher course” in what the insulation industry refers to a “R-values”:

What is Meant by “R-value”?

The most common measure of energy-efficiency is known as “R-value”. R-values measure a given material’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the material’s thermal resistance is. For example, a piece of 1/2″ plywood has an R-value of 1.25, and aluminum siding with a 1/2″ of insulation has an R-value which is slightly higher — 1.8. A solid-core wood door has an R-value of 2.2, making it the most thermal-resistant of the three materials.

The typical single-pane window has an R-value of 0.9. The generally accepted practice when calculating the R-value of a window treatment is to measure its R-value when it’s installed behind a single-pane window. Therefore, the R-values mentioned here for each window covering are based on that practice as well. Obviously, the R-values for each will be higher if you have double-pane windows.

Now, without further “ado”, we present the three most energy-efficient window coverings you can use in your own home:

Cellular Shades

By and large the most energy-efficient window treatment you can choose is a cellular shade. Cellular shades are available in a wide variety of fabrics, including single-cell and double-cell varieties. (Obviously, the R-value of a single-cell cellular shade will not be as high as the that of its double-cell counterpart.)

Cellular shades have a well-accepted range of R-values from 2.0 to 5.0. On the low-end of this range, a cellular shade will more than double the R-value of a single-pane window, while at the high-end of the range, it quintuples the R-value! Not bad for a window treatment that’s equally attractive in a variety of design settings, and available a variety of colors and in standard or top-down, bottom-up styles as well!

Plantation Shutters

Just as with cellular shades, the R-value of a plantation shutter will depend on the material used — generally, wood or vinyl. Both have great R-values (2.77 and 3.17 respectively), but if you’re going mostly for the highest R-value, then vinyl is your ticket! Although the R-values shown here (2.77 for wood and 3.17 for vinyl) are the accepted standard based on a report by the Smart Energy Alliance , it’s interesting to note that a Cornell study found that properly installed vinyl plantation shutters in a single-pane window can have an R-value as high as 4.0!

One thing is certain: Whether you choose a wood or a vinyl plantation shutter, your windows will look classically beautiful, no matter their shape or size!

Roller Shades

Versatile roller shades are available in a wide variety of patterns and light-filtering options from translucent to black-out. Their R-value will vary according to the style chosen, but the Cornell study cited above found their R-value ranges from 1.3 to 1.8. Light filtering and decorative roller shades will generally be on the lower end of the R-value spectrum, while black-out roller shades installed with channels to eliminate gaps will have the highest R-value. Roller shades are also available as solar shades, which will effectively reduce solar transmittance and increase solar reflection, thereby keeping your room cooler while simultaneously reducing glare in a bright room.

If you’d like to learn more about these energy-saving window covering options for your Central Alabama home, contact us at Just Blinds. We offer free on-site consultations, expert measuring and professional installation!

Expert Advice by Just Blinds

Performing Routine Maintenance On Your Exterior Shades: Everything You Need to Know

July 24, 2025
Outdoor shades are wonderful additions to your home. Not only do they allow you to enjoy mornings and evenings on your porch or patio in comfort, but they also protect you from some of the harshest side effects of the sun, including excessive UV exposure , which can lead to serious health consequences over time. If you have exterior shades installed, one of the best ways to protect your investment and ensure that your outdoor shades stand the test of time, protecting you and your family over the long haul, is to institute a routine cleaning and maintenance plan. How Often Should You Clean And Maintain Your Exterior Shades? Because needs will always vary by season and climate, it's best to visually inspect your exterior shades once a month. If you see any buildup of dust or pollen, or any obvious maintenance issues, address them immediately. At least once per quarter, you should also schedule a thorough cleaning and maintenance check. Every three months, around the time the seasons change, schedule a day to clean and thoroughly check your blinds for any routine maintenance. Particularly if you live in the Southeast, we recommend scheduling thorough cleaning and maintenance in January, April, July, and October. 3 Steps to Cleaning Your Home's Exterior Shades First, start by thoroughly cleaning your exterior shades. Step 1: Gather your cleaning supplies. You will need the following: A bucket and a mild cleaning agent A hose and water supply A soft brush or broom A soft cloth When it comes to your cleaning agent, be sure to avoid any solutions with harsh chemicals. If you haven't received information on any manufacturer-specific suggestions, we recommend using a mild dish soap diluted in water. Step 2: Dust away dirt and debris. Using your soft brush or broom, gently remove all excess buildup of dust, dirt, and debris. Make note of any trouble spots that will need more extensive cleaning. Step 3: Thoroughly clean your exterior shades. Begin by testing your cleaning solution in a small, hidden area. If you see any strong reaction, including erosion or discoloration, stop immediately and seek more information. Only if your shades respond well should you proceed with a full cleaning. Start by using your hose to gently rinse your exterior shades from top to bottom. Next, using your soft cloth, clean the shades, removing all accumulations of dirt and grime. After a final rinse with the hose, allow the shades to air dry in the sun. If necessary, repeat this step until your shades are fully clean. What Routine Maintenance Issues Should You Check For As You Clean? As you clean your exterior shades, keep your eyes peeled for any routine maintenance issues that may need to be addressed. Trouble spots to watch out for include the following: Fading color. Though color fading in itself is not an emergency, it can show that your exterior shades are beginning to show wear and tear. Assess the extent of the damage and consult with Just Blinds to evaluate the projected longevity of your current shades. Sagging shades. Sagging shades don't necessarily need to be replaced, but they may need to be re-tensioned. Check the external hardware and see if anything needs to be tightened up or replaced. Rips, tears, gaps, or holes. No matter how small, these issues need to be addressed immediately. Addressing these issues early can prevent the damage from growing, preventing more costly repairs down the line. Buy a patch kit and follow the instructions for sealing up any trouble spots. Just Blinds Is Here to Help  To hear more about how to maintain your exterior shades, or to learn more about how outdoor shades can add value to your home and help you better enjoy your outdoor living areas by reducing heat, offering increased privacy, and lowering your UV exposure, feel free to contact us . We look forward to serving you.

5 Ways to Beat the Summer Heat With Eye-Catching Window Treatments

June 18, 2025
When the mercury soars, never underestimate the power of blinds, shades, and other window treatments to keep your living space cool. With the techniques that follow, you can limit demand on your air conditioner, lower your energy bill, and maintain stunning aesthetics both inside and out. 1. Go For the Layered Look If you don't want blackout blinds that completely block out light and heat, consider layering your window treatments for the summer months. This is a great way to add depth and texture to your rooms while still maintaining a tight home envelope and limiting solar heat gains. Use wood or faux wood blinds to create a solid base layer. Then, add sheers and custom curtains to finish the look. Layering creates levels of flexibility and adaptability that single window treatments cannot match. You can close all three layers for maximum heat blocking, slant your blinds and close your sheers to let limited sunlight in, or open your drapes and your blinds and use your sheers for light filtering. 2. Beat the Heat With Outdoor Window Treatments Some of the best window treatments for blocking heat and light during the summer months belong on the outside of your home. If you haven't done so already, consider investing in shutters. Shutters can vastly improve the efficiency of your home while providing excellent UV ray protection. This will keep your flooring and furnishings from fading while offering a fair amount of skin protection. In addition to tightening home envelopes, shutters provide excellent noise reduction and offer added protection against the natural elements. With your shutters standing guard as your home's first defense, you'll still have one or more window treatments at the interior of the building during the next big heat wave. Outdoor Shades Work, Too If shutters aren't the right look for you, opt for lightweight, retractable shades. Installing outdoor shades gives you yet another way to safeguard your home from solar heat gains whenever temperatures spike. You can use outdoor shades with layered indoor window treatments to create an airtight space and reduce stress on your AC during the hottest portion of the day. Once the sun sets, you can easily draw them open. 3. Optimize Airflow According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be up to five time more contaminated than outdoor air. Even though air conditioners and heat pumps filter the indoor air during operation, they don't extract volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other gaseous chemical contaminants. When the sun's out and you're running your air conditioner non-stop, all the contaminants introduced into your home by off-gassing building materials, cooking, room freshening sprays, and chemical-laden self-care products and cleaners remain trapped indoors. Blinds are great for optimizing airflow. When the sun sets, the mercury dives, and a cool breeze rolls in, you can turn your blind slats upwards to reflect light from the setting sun and slightly crack your windows. This technique works well for giving ACs an early evening break. It's also an excellent strategy for improving indoor air quality (IAQ). As natural light decreases, you can open your blind slats wider and let more fresh, outdoor air flow in. This easy air exchange will get your home and your IAQ ready for the challenges of the next sweltering day. 4. Keep Indoor Moisture in Check With Shades With a high-functioning air conditioner or heat pump, you'll get reliable humidity regulation whenever your cooling system is on. The right shades can support this by keeping outdoor moisture outside and preventing the buildup of condensation on your windows. Cellular shades are made for high-moisture areas, and they're the perfect addition to any other southern home. You can get similar benefits from faux wood blinds, vinyl blinds, and aluminum blinds. Moisture-resistant blinds or shades are an essential upgrade if you currently have heavy fabric drapes or multiple layers of sheers. Some materials capture and retain moisture. They're also prone to problems like mold and mildew and can lower IAQ as a result. 5. Go Motorized Don't worry about dragging your ladder out to draw your outdoor shades or running through your home to manually adjust your blinds. Shop for motorized window treatments that you can open, close, and adjust with just the touch of a button. This way, as lighting and temperatures change, you can quickly adapt your window treatments to reflect your most current needs. At Just Blinds, we're all about comfort. We want your window treatments to look amazing, but believe that you should feel amazing too. We offer a fantastic selection of blinds, shutters, shades, and custom draperies to help our clients beat the heat in the summer months . Let us help you stay cool in style. To speak with our design consultants, contact Just Blinds today!