White and beige living room with white polywood shutters above a white couch.

The R-Value Of Shutters And Other Window Treatments In Baltimore

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency should be a huge need for your windows. With the wrong covering, your windows could fall victim to damaging heat loss, which may lead to higher energy costs. To discover the best energy-efficient window treatments, you should to look at their R-values.

But what window treatments have the highest R-value in Baltimore?

How Can You Find A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Baltimore?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your home that plays a part with insulation -- from the walls to windows -- is assigned an R-value. Those digits lets you know how well the item prevents thermal energy from flowing through it. A larger R-value and the object is a better insulator.

So why care about a window treatment’s R-value in Baltimore? Well, because windows are one of the most prevalent areas of heat loss in your home. If you need to trap in the hot air during wintertime or keep your rooms cool in the warm times, you need a window treatment with greater insulation. A window covering with a large R-value lets you keep your house at the set temperature.

Window Covering R-value Comparison Chart

Every window covering is not created equally, and therefore different coverings will have different r-values. Though there may be some variation with the building material and build between convergent makes and models, below is what you’re probably to find when comparing window treatments.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
No window treatment	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Window shades	2.5
Drapes	2 - 3
Real wood Shutters	3 - 4
Cell Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

Source: R-values from Energy.gov and HouseLogic.

Keep in mind, the larger the R-value number the more energy-efficient the window treatment. It shouldn’t be a shock that cheap blinds, which use flimsy aluminum, give you almost no insulation when put up against a more weighty treatment, like faux-wood interior shutters. That large span in R-value can be seen in a distinction of several degrees – enough to make an impact on if you dial up the temperature and make your energy bills rise.

What Are The Factors In A Window Covering’s R-Value In Baltimore?

Light gray cellular shades inside a white and rustic styled living room.

Two things affect a window covering's R-value: form and materials. First, treatments that have an ample amount of avenues for heat loss won’t own a large R-value. For instance, blinds and curtains dangle down, letting air to flow around the sides of the covering itself. However, interior shutters are custom-crafted to fit around the window opening, keeping air against the window when the louvers are completely shut.

Secondly, what the product is made out of can also bring a significant impact to insulation. Take cellular shades, which use several engineered layers of fabric designed to trap heat. As a result, they will stop temperature disbursement more efficiently than coverings like roller shades. Likewise, Polywood interior shutters, built from a durable faux wood composite, can block heat more than hard wood shutters. Polywood shutters also has weatherstripping, which creates a snug seal sound your windows when the panels and louvers are shut.

Up Your House’s R-value In Baltimore

Does it seem like your house could be a little more comfortable? How about a change to Polywood shutters to raise that R-value? Contact us at Sunburst Shutters Baltimore by dialing 301-321-7998 or submit the form below to book your no-cost in-home consultation.

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