With winter approaching, it’s time to prepare your home to keep out cold and keep in warmth. Apart from sweeping your chimney, inspecting the roof and turning off any outdoor faucets, don’t forget to cover your windows to seal out cold air. After all, getting caught off guard by a chill from drafty windows is the last thing you want. If you are wondering about your options, we have put together a list of window coverings to keep your home warm as the temperature drops outside.
7 Window Treatments to Keep Your Home Warm in Winter
1) Cellular Shades
Cellular shades are the most energy-efficient window treatments. They help block heat in summer while maintaining a comfortable temperature inside in winter. Also known as honeycomb shades, these window coverings feature a honeycomb design that creates an air pocket between the window glass and your home’s interior that prevents heat from escaping, thus acting as an insulator. These shades not only create a cozy environment inside your room but also up the style game of your home décor. They are available in a wide range of layering options including single and double cell. It is advisable to go for double cell shades for winter as these provide better insulation.
2) Draperies
Draperies are a great way to add extra insulation on top of an existing window treatment, like blinds or shades. They allow you to control the temperature inside and prevent heat loss in winter. Plus, you can choose from a wide range of colours and fabrics to match them with your décor. No matter what you choose as the first layer of insulation to cover your windows in colder months, draperies increase its efficiency.
3) Plantation Shutters
Plantation shutters might not seem like an effective solution to cover your windows when the temperature drops. However, they tend to have far fewer gaps compared to other window treatments as they are installed tight to the window frame. Closed louvres create a barrier to prevent warm air from escaping or cold air getting in. Now the question arises: which is better – vinyl or wood shutters? The answer: they are equally energy efficient. If you want to add natural warmth and beauty to your home décor, wood shutters are a good pick.
4) Roman Shades
If you are looking for a versatile window covering option that offers both aesthetic appeal and insulation, your search ends at roman shades. They are made of thick material and their sealed edges help keep out cold. If you want extra protection from icy weather, shades with a thermal backing create a soft, comfortable feel in your home while keeping the temperature at the desired level.
5) Solar Blinds
Solar blinds help stabilize temperatures in summer by acting as a shield against ultraviolet (UV) rays. But did you know that these blinds can be reversed to filter out UV damage as well as generate heat by acting as a passive solar collector? This is an excellent window covering option to block out icy cold weather as it absorbs sunlight and converts it into interior radiant heat to keep you warm and cozy.
6) Insulated Curtains
Insulated curtains are lined curtains meant to keep warm air from leaving and cold air from entering through your windows. Aside from helping maintain moderate temperatures inside your home, they reduce pressure on your HVAC system. They sometimes have a magnetic strip sewn into their edges so that they stick around the window frame, thus creating a tighter barrier.
7) Combination Window Coverings
To winterize your windows and maximize your energy efficiency, you can experiment by layering window treatments. A combination of window coverings is a great idea to increase insulation. Some options include cellular shades and drapes, shutters and roman shades, and horizontal blinds and curtains.
Additional Tips to Cover Your Windows When the Temperature Drops (Apart from Window Treatments)
- Apply transparent window insulation film in pre-cut sections to the outside of your window frame. You simply attach it to the frame with double-sided tape and blow warm air over the film using a hairdryer to tighten it. The dead air pocket created between the film and window will provide insulation.
- Filling gaps around the window frame with polyurethane or expandable spray foam will keep out cold winds.
- Use weather strips to seal windows. They are available in various sizes with adhesive backing on one side for easy application.
Ideally, you should insulate your windows before cold weather sets in. So, it’s a good idea to not only start covering them now with the window treatment options mentioned in this blog but to use the additional tips to maximize insulation. These ideas will make your living space cozier, while also increasing its energy efficiency.
