By: Natalie Elmhurst
Updated: 12/18/2023
Have you noticed the chill in the air? We have! And that means it’s time to get prepped for those long winter months.
If it’s time to upgrade those window treatments, there’s no better time to get started than now. Choose the window treatments that will keep your home cozy and warm this winter.
It’s time to bundle up your home and get cozy by the fire. But before you can snuggle up with your favorite book and a warm blanket, make sure your windows are tucked in with the right window treatments. You know winter air doesn’t belong in your living room — insulating your windows with cool weather-appropriate window treatments will make a world of difference.
The most effective window treatments for climate control are:
By choosing a new window treatment that functions as a climate-controlling design feature, you're getting both style and function out of your window treatments.
Find the right window treatment that fits both your design and utilitarian needs so your home feels more like the cozy sanctuary and less like the wintery world outside.
Cellular shades are an exceptionally functional window treatment when it comes to climate control. This is because of their honeycomb design that traps air between fabric folds, preventing airflow and minimizing temperature swings.
With the highest R-value of any window treatment, cellular shades are the most effective window treatment for resisting temperature change. Not only will your cellular shade keep you nice and toasty in the winter, but it will also keep you cool in the summer as heat transference is shielded from coming in as well as going out.
Olympus is a new cellular shade line that’s even more effective at insulating your home, achieving the highest R-Value of any other blind or shade at Stoneside.
Olympus is crafted slightly differently than other cellular shades. Traditional cellular shades are designed with single or double pockets, trapping air between folds of material. Olympus not only has double pockets but is actually layered up with double the material on the inside, creating extra smaller pockets within the honeycomb structure. This unique design makes Olympus an absolute must if climate control is your top priority.
At Stoneside, we have top-down and bottom-up options for our cellular shades which gives this window treatment the bonus of being multi-functioning. These cellular shades are climate-controlling, but also provide privacy, making this an excellent choice for rooms such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms.
No one wants to simply cover their windows. Instead, you want something that functions properly for the space but also looks beautiful. Draperies are one of the most multi-functioning window treatments out there. Draperies provide:
Their stylish design ensures they'll coordinate well with any interior decor — whether it's modern or more traditional.
Keep in mind that custom drapes are not the same as curtains you would find at a box store. Custom drapes are elegant, timeless, and are an eye-catching design feature. Crafted from only the highest quality fabrics, custom drapes are double hemmed and weighted to give you ultimate control over your window treatments.
The weight of the fabric, coupled with the lining and heavier hem results in a window treatment that is an effective insulator. In fact, drapes are one of the top most energy-efficient window treatments available. With custom drapes, you’ll get top quality, effective insulation, and you’ll keep your home feeling and looking its best.
Our custom drapes are specially designed and crafted to your exact window specifications for an tailored fit and a flawless look. Tuck in your home for a cozy winter with custom drapes, perfect for those cozy nights by the fire — just grab your hot cocoa and a good book, and snuggle into the sofa.
Layering your window treatment may seem redundant, but when it comes to your home, you deserve the best.
By layering your window treatments, you get more control, more adaptability, and more opportunity to create the style you’re looking for.
One of the most recommended ways to layer your window treatments is to pair roller shades or cellular shades with custom drapes.
Imagine having effective window treatments no matter the situation, and no matter the season. You’ll have warm summer afternoons with no glaring sunlight, but your space will still be bright enough to enjoy the sunshine and the season. That same room can be warm and cozy, despite the chill in the middle of winter.
Layering has tons of options — more options for creating the perfect ambiance with light mitigation, privacy, and style.
Think of it the same as you would layering up for an afternoon outside. If there’s a chance of temperature changes, most likely you’ll take some sort of jacket or outer layer in an effort to remain comfortable.
Layering your window treatments is all about comfort. It’s about you having more options to create your dream space, and optimizing your home for premium satisfaction.
Blinds are an excellent choice for individuals looking to gain light control and privacy with a traditional design style. Blinds are crafted from a variety of materials, including wood, faux wood, and composite materials. There are even options for vinyl material or fabrics, which soften the look of blinds.
Blinds themselves are not crafted with an insulating material. Rather, their insulation ability comes from the light-blocking control from manipulating the slats within the blind. By creating a physical barrier between the window and the interior of your home, blinds help mitigate heat transference.
Despite this, blinds are not going to be as effective at insulating as the three options described above. In fact, if you’re seeking insulating blinds, cellular shades are a great option. Cellular shades look and function similarly to blinds, but offer much more insulation.
Blinds used effectively can have insulating qualities, but as far as R-value, they aren’t at the top of the list. If you’re looking for blinds that insulate your windows, you may want to consider opting for cellular shades instead.
Cellular shades are similar to blinds in many ways.
Cellular shades do have one thing that blinds do not, however. Blinds are simply NOT as effective at climate control when compared to cellular shades. Although blinds are crafted with solid material, effectively blocking and creating a barrier between your interior and exterior, they don’t have the same design as cellular shades.
The honeycomb design of cellular shades is really what makes them such an effective window treatment for mitigating temperature fluctuations. The air trapped in between the honeycomb structures creates even more insulation, acting as a buffer between spaces, and stopping hot and cold air in their tracks.
Cellular shades offer all the advantages of blinds and have the bonus of control from the bottom up OR top down. You’ll maintain privacy, light control, and temperature control with cellular shades. (BONUS: cellular shades make an excellent choice for sliding glass doors or french doors!)
Finding the right insulated shades is entirely dependent on what kind of space you're using your insulating window treatment in. For example, a small office or nursery will probably not need the same window treatments as an open-concept living area.
Additionally, consider how convenient it is for you to open and close your window treatments.
The most energy-efficient window treatments (in addition to having high R-Value) are ones that are used appropriately. That means taking advantage of the sunlight during winter and blocking the heat during the summer. This also means keeping up with opening and closing your window treatments at appropriate times of the day.
Think about it — do you walk through your entire home opening and closing your window treatments every morning and evening? (Probably not. Most people don’t.)
But optimal window treatment use is the best way to keep your home energy efficient and cut out the drastic swings of energy usage. The good news is that there are options to make your life with window treatments easier — and keep that heating bill down this winter.
Cellular shades are the most effective insulating window treatment, so you’re already starting on the right foot for keeping your home insulated. Now, all you have to do is open and shut them every day.
Sound tedious? It doesn’t have to be.
Your cellular shade can now be optimized for easy use with a motor. With motorized window treatments, you can open and close your window treatments more easily. Never spend your morning or evening trekking through the house opening or closing your window treatments. Instead, click a button on a remote control, flick the wall switch, or use your phone to open and close your window treatments at a moment’s notice.
Time to sit back and relax with a mug of hot tea instead of pulling your cellular shades closed to keep warm.
Knowing which window treatment is best for your home can be a challenge — there are so many different aspects to consider when making choices like this for your home.
Temperature control can be a tricky situation — you don’t want a window treatment that only does one thing, and you certainly don’t want a window treatment that doesn’t work stylistically in your space.
But you don’t have to make this decision without help. In fact, helping you make the best choice for your home is a top goal for our team, and excellent customer service is our number one priority.
Many homeowners aren’t experts at window treatments. And that’s okay! You can’t be expected to have all the answers or know all the options — but at Stoneside, we have the experts to make your decision an easy one.
We’ll give you all the information you need to make the best decision for your home.
You deserve a simple, streamlined experience to make your home the most comfortable place — a place you are as comfortable in during the winter as during the summer.
And our team helps you not only find window treatments solutions for your home, but also find a solution that has the look and feel you’re going for. There’s no sacrificing style and design with window treatments from Stoneside — we get you the function, quality, and style you’re looking for.
Our expert teams are rated #1 in America for our quality products and service. That’s because more than anything, we want to support our clients and our friends with making this decision. Your home should be welcoming, cozy, and comfortable this season.
Book your free consultation, and let’s make your comfort our top priority with winter window treatments, custom-made for your unique home.
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