They are often overlooked but can be an effective tool to encourage healthy behaviors. They can help you control energy, reduce stress and improve mood.
Discount blinds and shades come in many different styles and fabrics and can be layered on top of other window treatments for additional impact. They are a simple way to create a style that suits your decor and needs.
Improved Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient window shades help reduce the amount of energy that a home uses for heating and cooling. These window treatments are available in a variety materials and include features such as light control, insulating properties, and blackout options.
In the winter, window coverings trap heat inside and can keep a room warm without requiring the use of an expensive HVAC system. In the summer, the same window coverings block the sun’s light to keep a room cooler without air conditioning.
These window treatments can also be designed to have a higher R-value than standard double-pane windows, which helps to improve the overall efficiency of the home. Cellular shades have the highest R value of any window covering. They are designed to trap air pocket that insulates and regulates temperature.
They’re available in a variety of styles, and they can be installed on side tracks or with a top-down-bottom-up mechanism. The choice of opening options is important, as cellular shades that open from both the top and bottom are best at increasing the R-value of your windows and controlling daylight entering the home.
Insulated cellular shades are the most energy-efficient window treatments. They feature honeycomb-shaped insulating cell traps that hold together when the window is closed. They have the highest R-value of any window shade, and they’re designed to reduce heat loss by up to 40% during the heating season and solar heat gain by 60% in the summer.
Cellular shades can be purchased with single, double or triple honeycomb cells. Honeycomb cell size will determine how much energy you can save. Larger pleat sizes are more efficient.
In addition, cellular shades can be layered to increase their energy-savings potential. Layered cellular shades have multiple cells that trap more air, thereby improving their insulation capabilities.
Aside from their benefits, cellular shades also look fantastic in homes that are designed to be as energy efficient as possible. They can increase the value of a home and have a sleek look. They are available in a wide range of colors and styles to suit any home design.
Reduce Stress
Window shades are not just about making your home look good — they also can help you improve your mental health and reduce stress. They are available in a variety of materials and styles, and can be used to match any style of decorating from rustic to modern or formal to informal.
They’re also easy to maintain. Just dust them with a soft cloth or vacuum every once in a while.
If you’re thinking of getting new window shades, consider the following 6 ways they can help improve your well-being:
1. Reduce Heat Loss
The right interior shade can cut down on solar heat gain from the sun. Shades can block up to 70% of solar energy depending on their fabric and color.
The performance of interior shades is largely dependent on how you use them and how well they fit with your windows. They can deflect up to 80% of direct solar heat gain, but it does depend on how the occupants use the room and it may eliminate some views.
2. They Boost Thermal Comfort
When installed correctly, interior shades can increase the mean radiant temperature of a room by up to 5degF. However, they won’t make a significant difference in your home’s thermal efficiency until you have good, functioning windows to begin with.
3. Reduce Clutter
Having a clutter-free environment can help to lower stress and increase your mental health. Use simple, muted colours to give your room an airier, less busy feeling.
4. Reduce Glare
Glare from bright lights can harm your eyes. Window shades can reduce the amount of glare in your home and help you sleep better.
5. Reduce Noise
It’s important that you choose a window shade that blocks out sound. These shades can be adjusted manually or by motorized controls to keep noise at a minimum and maintain privacy.
Improved Mood
Window treatments are an integral part of any home design scheme. They come in a variety of styles and materials, each with their own unique set of benefits. They can be the center of attention in any room, or add a touch class to a dining area or den. The right window treatment will not only reduce stress and save energy, but can also improve mood and productivity. In particular, window shades that allow you to control the amount of light entering a room are a must have in any green-conscious household. They are easy to install, and even easier to keep clean. You can choose Roman or roller shades to control the lighting of a room, or a more elegant option where you simply press a button to open or close your window treatments. You can do all of this yourself!
You can choose the perfect window shade to suit your needs, your budget and your lifestyle.
Better Sleep
Sleep is essential for your health, your energy and your ability to function well. It helps you feel refreshed and energized when you wake up, and it can also be a key indicator of how well your body is functioning throughout the day.
There are ways to improve your sleeping habits, even though most people struggle with getting a good sleep. One way is to set a sleep schedule and go to bed and wake up at the same time every night. This can help your brain and body follow a natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness. It can also reset your circadian clock.
Another important step to take is to get rid of any distractions before you go to sleep. This means turning off the TV and your phone an hour before you go to bed. This will help your body relax and know that it’s time for sleep.
You can create a calm environment in your bedroom using shades that block exterior light. This is important, especially if you have large windows in your home. It can make the room more calm and dark.
Research has shown that window treatments can have a positive impact on your sleep quality! In a study published in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, it was found that people who slept with windows uncovered reported less sleep than those who had light shades or drapes. They also tended to complain about more awakenings during the night.
Researchers compared the degree to which windows were covered with recall scores of sleep quality and complaints of frequent nighttime wakings. The results showed that subjects with uncovered windows had overall sleep quality scores of 3.38 +- 0.12, 4.55 +- 0.07 and 3.24 +- 0.08, respectively. Subjects with light shades or drapes rated overall sleep quality of 3.50 +- 0.18, 3.09 +- 0.11 and 3.45 +- 0.11, respectively.
The study’s findings suggest that the relationship between window covering and sleep might be related to a person’s exposure to morning light or 24 h illumination. This could be because people who sleep in rooms with shaded or uncovered windows receive less morning light.