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

Energy Efficiency And R-Value Of Window Treatments In Miami

June 23, 2022

Energy conservation should be a large requirement for your Miami window treatments. With an inefficient treatment, you have a greater chance of heat loss through your windows, which may lead to larger energy costs. To discover the most energy-efficient window treatments, you need to see their R-values.

But which window treatments get the highest R-value in Miami?

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

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your home that contributes to insulation -- from siding to your windows -- has an R-value. Those digits lets you know how well the item prevents thermal energy from traveling through it. A higher R-value and the object is a more effective insulator.

So why should you worry about a window treatment’s R-value in Miami? Well, because your windows are one of the biggest heat loss areas in your house. If you need to trap in the heat during wintertime or keep your rooms cool in summer, you need a window covering with more insulation. A window covering with a big R-value lets you keep your rooms at the set setting.

Window Covering R-value Rating Table

Every window treatment is not made with the same care, and therefore different treatments will have different r-values. Though there can be a bit of variation due to the materials and quality between convergent companies and models, here’s what you’re going to find when contrasting window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
No window treatment	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Shades	2.5
Draperies	2 - 3
Wood Shutters	3 - 4
Honeycomb Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

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

Keep in mind, the higher the R-value number the more efficient the window treatment. It should come as no surprise that mini-blinds, which use flimsy aluminum, give you almost no insulation compared to a more solid treatment, like faux-wood shutters. That large difference in R-value can show up in a variance of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on whether you crank up the temperature and waste money or not.

What Are The Factors In A Window Treatment’s R-Value In Miami?

Light gray cellular shades inside a white and rustic styled living room.

A couple of variables affect a window treatment’s R-value: construction and substance. First, treatments that have an ample amount of avenues for heat to escape will not have a effective R-value. For instance, blinds and curtains dangle down, allowing air to leak out around the bottom and sides of the treatment. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-crafted snuggly around the window, trapping air against the window’s glass when the louvers are completely shut.

Secondly, what the covering is constructed with can have a big impact to insulation. Take cellular shades, which are made with several engineered layers of fabric which make “cells” to trap air. As a result, they will stop air loss more effectively than products like roller shades. Likewise, our Polywood louvered shutters, made from a solid faux wood material, can block heat more than more porous wood shutters. Polywood shutters also employs seamless weatherstripping, which makes a snug seal sound your windows when the louvers and panels are shut.

Up Your House’s R-value In Miami

Does it feel like your home could be a little cozier? How about installing quality faux-wood shutters to increase that R-value? Contact us today by dialing 305-520-7515 or complete the form below for your no-cost in-home consultation.

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