The right window dressing can improve in-home comfort and energy saving
By Patricia Nugent
The National Climate Prediction Center’s forecast for this winter season includes mind-numbing cold, blistering winds, blinding blizzards and glacial amounts of snow and ice.
Okay, the report might not have used those exact words, but you get the idea.
Now’s the time to look for strategies to create a warm, cozy atmosphere in your home, and save money on rising energy costs to heat it. But before you go blasting insulation into every nook and cranny, take a look at your windows, which can be a major source of heat loss.
According to the Department of Energy, windows lose more heat per square foot of area than any other surface in the home. One of the best ways to counteract that heat loss is through energy-efficient shades, blinds and window treatments.
Super Stylish Barriers
Eileen Zimmerman, of Well Dressed Windows in Wickliffe, says she mainly works with Hunter Douglas shades because their quality is the best in their class.
“My favorite for energy savings is the Duette Architella, which features a unique honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb design that traps in pockets of air,” she explains.
“Without these shades, the company reports that as much as 50 percent of a home’s heating energy can be lost through the windows.”
A nice bonus is that the design works similarly in the summer months, trapping air and protecting the home from outdoor heat.
And Eileen says that homeowners don’t have to sacrifice style for substance. Between Architella and newer shades, such as Solera and Sonnette, you can select from an expansive variety of colors, fabrics, textures, opacities and sizes to complement any window.
“In addition to shades, real wood shutters also offer thermal insulation in a home, as they are more porous than other blinds,” she says.
Another pioneering innovation from Hunter Douglas is functionality. Homeowners can operate their shades wirelessly via a smartphone or tablet, and even control them remotely, Eileen says.
A Trifecta of Fabric Insulation
Fabric can also play a role in keeping the cold out. Unlike window treatments you’d find at a big box store, custom-designed treatments by Eileen feature three layers of fabric for added insulation.
“I use 100 percent cotton lining, rather than a polyester cotton blend and also add a third layer of fabric in between the face fabric and the lining. It is called interlining and is a lightweight flannel. It further adds to the insulation value of the draperies and also adds weight and body so that the finished treatment hangs luxuriously.”
Eileen brings hundreds and hundreds of fabric samples to every home consultation. After finding out a customer’s style, and the functionality of the room or rooms to be window-dressed, she makes sketches to present to the client. Then the fun of selecting fabrics begins.
Check out her fabulous Pinterest Gallery, at “wdressedwindows,” to get an idea of her beautiful final designs.
Well Dressed Windows is headquartered in Wickliffe and beautifies windows all over Northeast Ohio. Call 440-498-9119 for a free consultation or visit DressedWindows.com for details and to see a gorgeous gallery of inspirational window treatments.