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Energy Efficiency And R-Value Of Window Treatments In New York

June 23, 2022

Energy conservation can be a huge need for your window treatments in New York. With the wrong choice, you may feel a draft due to heat loss, which can lead to bigger energy costs. To get the most energy-efficient window treatments, you will have to find out their R-values.

But which window treatments own the best R-value in New York?

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

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Everything in your home that contributes to insulation -- from siding to your windows -- gets an R-value. That rating lets you know how well an item stops thermal energy from traveling through it. A bigger R-value indicates a better insulator.

So why should you care about a window treatment’s R-value in New York? Well, because your windows are one of the most common heat loss areas in your house. If you need to trap in the hot air during wintertime or keep your house cooler in warmer weather, you will need a window treatment with good insulation. A window treatment with a large R-value allows you to keep your house at an optimal setting.

Window Covering R-value Rating Table

Every window treatment is not made equally, which plays a large part in how they insulate. Though there might be a bit of variation due to the material and build between companies and models, the following chart shows what you’re going to find when contrasting window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Only glass	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Window 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 larger the R-value the more the window treatment helps insulate your window. It should come as no surprise that store-bought mini-blinds, which use thin aluminum, give you almost no insulation compared to a more weighty treatment, like durable faux-wood shutters. That large span in R-value can be seen in a difference of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on if you dial up the thermostat and increase your energy use.

What Contributes To A Window Treatment’s R-Value In New York?

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A few factors affect a window covering's R-value: form and materials. First, products that have multiple ways for heat to escape will not get a substantial R-value. For example, blinds just hang there, letting air to flow around the sides and bottom of the covering. However, interior shutters are custom-built around the window, which traps air against the window’s glass when you shut the louvers.

Then what the window treatment is constructed with can also bring a significant impact to insulation. Take cell shades, which feature overlapping layers of fabric designed to trap hot air. As a result, they will stop air flow more effectively than coverings like pleated shades. Likewise, our Polywood interior shutters, built from a solid faux wood material, can repel heat loss more than natural wood shutters. Polywood shutters also employs weatherstripping, which makes a air-tight seal on your window when the louvers are shut.

Improve Your Window’s R-value In New York

Does it feel like your house could be a bit cozier? How about a change to quality faux-wood shutters to increase your windows’ R-value? Contact Sunburst Shutters New York by dialing 631-246-3930 or submit the form below to get a free in-home consultation.

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