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

Energy Efficiency And R-Value Of Window Treatments In Houston

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency should be a huge want for your window treatments in Houston. With an inefficient treatment, you have a higher chance of heat loss with your windows, which may lead to larger heating and cooling costs. To find the best energy-efficient window treatments, you should to see their R-values.

But what window treatments get the biggest R-value in Houston?

What’s A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Houston?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your house that contributes to insulation -- from drywall to windows -- has an R-value. That number represents how well an item hinders thermal energy from flowing through it. A bigger R-value indicates a more efficient insulator.

So why should you worry about a window treatment’s R-value in Houston? Well, because your windows are one of the biggest energy wasters in the house. If you need to trap in the warm air during the cold seasons or keep your house cool in warmer weather, you need a window treatment with more insulation. A window treatment with a large R-value allows you to keep your rooms at your preferred temperature.

Window Treatment R-value Table

Every window treatment is not made equally, which plays a large part in how well they insulate. Though there can be a bit of variation from the building material and craftsmanship between convergent companies and models, the following chart shows what you’re going to see when comparing window treatments.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Only glass	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Shades	2.5
Draperies	2 - 3
Hardwood Shutters	3 - 4
Cell Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

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

Remember, the bigger the R-value the more efficient the window treatment. It should come as no surprise that cheap blinds, which use flimsy aluminum, give you almost no insulation when put up against a more solid treatment, like Polywood plantation shutters. That big difference in R-value can show up in a distinction of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on your decision to change the thermostat and increase your energy use.

What Are The Factors In A Window Treatment’s R-Value In Houston?

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

A few factors affect a window covering's R-value: construction and substance. To start with, treatments that have an ample amount of avenues for heat to escape will not get a large R-value. For instance, blinds dangle down, letting hot air to flow around the sides of the covering. However, interior shutters are custom-built around the window pane, trapping heat against the window when you shut the louvers.

Then the materials the window treatment is constructed with can have a significant impact to insulation. Take honeycomb shades, which use overlapping layers of fabric which make “cells” to trap hot air. As a result, they can block air loss more efficiently than treatments like roller shades. Likewise, Polywood interior shutters, made from a durable faux wood composite, can repel heat more than more porous wood shutters. Polywood shutters also employs seamless weatherstripping, which makes a air-tight seal on your window when the panels and louvers are snapped shut.

Increase Your House’s R-value In Houston

Does it seem like your home could be a tad bit cozier? How about a change to Polywood shutters to up your windows’ R-value? Contact Sunburst Shutters Houston by dialing 713-853-9629 or submit the form below to book your free in-home consultation.

Back to Blog