Nobody really likes it when things get too hot inside the house. Unfortunately, there really isn’t an easy and inexpensive way to keep the heat out, aside from having the air conditioning on high all the time, right? The truth is that there are actually many things that you can do to keep as much heat out of the house as you can.
First things first, you will want to address the main sources of heat in your house. You might be surprised to learn that your windows are one of the biggest sources of heat in your entire house. While they can certainly be useful in letting in the light during the day, there comes a lot of heat with that light. This can raise the overall temperature of your house by several degrees, if you let it go unchecked.
With that being said, you will now want to make sure that you have the appropriate window coverings to try and keep as much of that heat as possible outside of your house. There are a few different kinds of coverings that you can consider. In some cases, you might even want to consider a combination of all of these things, if you have the room for it.
The main things that you will want to look for are blinds, lined drapes, shades, and shutters for your windows. Some products are always going to be better than others, and it is important for you to read up on what will be best for your situation.
Finding the Perfect Blinds for Your House
As you begin to search for blinds, you might not realize just how many options you have. There are roller blinds, wood blinds, vertical blinds, and so on. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the best blinds to keep the heat out of your house are going to be reflective blinds that are closed toward the sunny window. This can reduce as much as 45% of the heat gain coming from the window.
The specific kind of blind you are going to want are known as “perfect fit” blinds. As the name suggests, these blinds are measured to your window, meaning that there is minimal installation and drilling. This also means that the windowsills will be covered, while also being pet and child-safe.
An example of one of the most perfectly fit blinds out there is going to be this pair of blinds here. While you might have to do some searching, measuring, and even more searching to find the ones that are meant specifically for your windows, you can rest assured knowing that when these blinds are closed, you will have as little heat in your room as possible.
Plastic or Faux Wood?
Other blinds that you will want to think about include faux wood and regular wooden blinds. Because of the naturally reflective and absorbent surfaces of these blinds, they can both reflect and absorb a fair amount of sunlight that tries to get into your room. The one downside to these blinds is that they tend to cost considerably more money than traditional blinds do. However, they will make your room look more appealing to the eye.
Again, you will likely have to do some searching to find blinds that fit your windows specifically, but an example of some good faux wood blinds can be found here. Faux wood is going to be your best bet, as it is often much less expensive than authentic wood, and it can come in white, which is a naturally reflective color.
Finding the Perfect Lined Drapes for Your House
While you are searching for the best blinds to put in your window, you will also want to consider the idea of looking into lined drapes as well. Lined drapes function much the same as blackout curtains in that they block just about everything that comes through your window. From sunlight to the heat, you can rest assured knowing that a good set of lined drapes will keep your room cool and comfortable.
In fact, according to the Department of Energy, a good set of lined drapes can reduce the amount of heat from your windows by 33%. While it might not be as good as blinds alone, combining drapes with blinds will block out almost as much heat as possible that comes from your window. What makes lined drapes even better is the fact that there is more allowance for different designs, patterns, and colors.
Ultimately, when you shop for lined drapes, the most important thing for you to look for is a proper lining on the back. A good lining is going to be made from a reflective white plastic that will bounce all the heat back out of the window, keeping your room nice and cool during the hot summer days.
Similar to the blinds, you are going to need to do some shopping around to try and find some lined drapes that work for your windows, as having a perfect fit is paramount to success. An example of one of the products that you can benefit from can be found here. Not only will these drapes help with keeping the light and the heat out of your room, they will also help with soundproofing your room and keeping it warm during the winter, making them a highly versatile set of lined drapes.
Why Choose Lined Drapes?
One of the things to keep in mind is that lined drapes are considered to be one of the most energy efficient window treatments that you can get to keep the heat out. Not only will they keep your home cooler than having no drapes, but they will also lose the heat over time through the natural process of convection. This, in turn, allows them to absorb even more heat as the day progresses.
Finding the Perfect Shades for Your House
Many people believe that blinds and shades accomplish the same thing, and to some extent, this is true. However, when it comes to keeping heat out of your room and out of your house, shades are going to be the best option for you to consider. They are less expensive for the material that you are getting, and when they are properly hung, they can completely trap the hot air.
One thing that you will want to remember when you are getting shades is that you want to put them as close to your window as you can, and with the sides of the shades as close to the wall as you can. This helps to create that sealed air space so that no hot air can actually get into your room. Of course, this will mean that there is some degree of searching for the right size, but this is expected when searching for window treatments of any kind.
If you really want to make the most out of your money, you should consider getting dual shades, which can be found here. These shades have a white, reflective side that can be used during the summer months, and a darker, more absorbent side that can be used during the colder months. With these shades, you need to make sure that the reflective side faces the window during the summer, and that the absorbent side faces the window during the winter so that you can have a fully energy efficient window.
If doing that is not up your alley, then you might want to consider another style of shade that is known as a honeycomb shade. These shades have a layered design that traps the air in the “honeycombs.” This essentially creates a barrier that the heat cannot easily cross, allowing your room to be as cool as possible during the day, which is something that everyone can appreciate. Honeycomb shades can be found here.
Finding the Perfect Shutters for Your House
While most people think of window treatments as something that is solely inside of the house, such as blinds or shades, you can also consider getting plantation shutters installed on your house as well. This, of course, is going to be the most expensive method by far. It will also be the most time-consuming method on your end, as you have to search for shutters, search for a professional, and create an appointment. However, there are many reasons why you should put in this much work.
For one, a good set of plantation shutters will do a better job at blocking out all of the heat than any of the other window treatments. This is because they stop the heat before it can even get inside of your house, and they are custom-fit to your windows, so there is no chance of anything slipping past. Additionally, many people who are looking at buying homes consider plantation shutters to be aesthetically pleasing, giving your house a decent boost in value if you plan on selling it one day.
Traditionally, plantation shutters are made from wood, but they can sometimes be made from vinyl, cutting down on the overall cost of the shutters. Keep in mind that they will have to be installed on each of your windows separately, which can add up if you are planning to have all of your windows match. At the end of the day, it will be worth it to have a much cooler house to live in when the temperatures soar outside.
