Keep Your Home Cool With Window Treatments

With July fully upon us, we’re all truly feeling the heat. And everyone in the greater Phoenix area is looking for ways to keep their spaces cool while controlling their energy costs. At Altra Home Décor, our passion is window fashions, and we know the best ways to help keep the hot air from seeping through windows, even in the middle of summer. Check out our thoughts below, and be sure to speak with one of our consultants for more info.

Dastardly Heat Requires UV Blocking Qualities

Our home is our haven, where we relax, recharge, entertain, and spend time with friends and family. But during the hot summer days, it can also be like an oven and the least comfortable place to be. The culprit, of course, is the sun and heat coming through the windows. But you don’t always have to crank up the A/C to combat it. Instead, using the right heat-controlling window fashions can help keep your home cooler while ensuring that your air conditioner doesn’t have to work harder—and at the same time, those treatments can protect your furniture from harmful UV rays.  

Window Treatment Options to Explore

Window treatments specifically designed for heat control can help block or reflect the outside temps while transforming your home into an inviting retreat. Below are some of the best options for controlling heat (and they’re pretty aesthetically pleasing to boot!).

Cellular Shades

Cellular shades have a unique honeycomb structure that creates air pockets that insulate at the window, reducing the amount of heat through your windows. Hunter Douglas offers Duette® Cellular shades, which are known for their energy efficiency, because they can block the sun’s heat, keeping outdoor air out while helping indoor air stay in. You can choose from a variety of design options, such as top-down/bottom-up operation or a large range of pleat sizes. Duette Honeycomb Shades work great in any window type and are one of the best options for specialty shapes, odd sizes of window, and skylights. No matter your décor style, you’ll find the color, texture, and look to meet your needs. Plus, the fabric helps diffuse light and provides privacy.

Solar Shades

Solar shades help block UV rays, to protect furniture and flooring from fading, and they reduce glare while allowing natural light to pass through. Lighter colors better reflect heat and illuminate a room, but the view might be a little hazy (similar to that of sheers). 

Blackout Shades

Blackout shades are ideal for cooling and privacy. They can block nearly all incoming light, which naturally reduces incoming heat. Consider the sleek modern sensibilities of Designer Roller Shades combined with a blackout liner for the best flexibility.

Shutters

For an adjustable option, shutters let you tilt the slats to control the amount of light and heat entering the room. Timeless and elegant, shutters can actually help with resale value when you go to move from your home. They’re available in numerous colors or stains, so you can match them easily to your décor, and their stylish look will last, even if you change your room’s aesthetic. Plus, you can preserve your view-through by tilting the louvers up or down. You can choose from genuine wood, faux wood, or a hybrid with the following Hunter Douglas products:  

• Heritance® Hardwood Shutters
• Palm Beach™ Polysatin™ Vinyl Shutters
• NewStyle® Composite Shutters

A Few Rules of Thumb

If you want best heat-shielding results, consider layering treatments—you could put solar shades against the glass while you add drapery for an additional layer of insulation. An added benefit from this approach is that it will bring depth and dimension to your room. Another option is to add reflective films or liners for an extra layer of protection against heat. Furthermore, be sure to follow best practices with timing: close your treatments during the heat of the day and open them in the evening so you don’t block the cooler night air.

Heat-Blocking Window Treatments in the Greater Phoenix, Peoria AZ Areas

Altra Home Decor is your source for window treatments, custom drapery, flooring, and more! We serve the greater Phoenix area, including Peoria, Sun City West, Glendale, and Scottsdale, with a showroom in Surprise. Stop by our locally owned store to view our full-size window treatment displays and sample books. Contact us today to schedule an in-home design consultation!