Hello, Boerne friends—Matt Wigle here, President of Bumble Bee Blinds of Boerne. As we prepare for August’s hot Texas sun to beat down on our beautiful Hill Country, I thought this was the perfect time to share how custom window treatment upgrades can keep your home cooler, more comfortable, and energy-efficient this summer.
My prior professional career, as an engineer and corporate leader, focused much of my attention on ways to improve efficiency through reduced energy consumption. And now, as part of the Bumble Bee Blinds family, along with my son Michael, our Boerne based Design Consultant, Kerri Busby, and our lead installer, Ian Schoolcraft, also a Boerne resident, I’ve discovered how even small changes in window treatments can have a big impact on your home or office energy bill, not to mention the beauty and livability. So let’s explore 6 practical ways to beat the Texas Hill Country heat, from Boerne to Bulverde and from Fredericksburg to Blanco, through Custom Window Treatments by Bumble Bee Blinds of Boerne this summer—and show you why home and business owners love what we do.
Solar Roller Shades - A beautiful way to lower your electric bill
Solar shades offer a smart and stylish solution for improving energy efficiency in your home or office. By blocking out a significant portion of the sun's heat and glare, these window treatments help maintain a more consistent indoor temperature, reducing the need for air conditioning and ultimately lowering energy bills. They also provide UV protection, which helps preserve furniture, flooring, and artwork from sun damage, extending the life of your interiors while keeping your space comfortable and cool.
Beyond energy savings, solar shades enhance privacy and light control without sacrificing your view. Unlike traditional blinds or curtains, solar shades are made with a special mesh fabric that filters sunlight, allowing you to enjoy natural light and your beautiful Texas Hill Country view while minimizing glare. This makes them ideal for living rooms, offices, and any area where you want to maintain visibility and ambiance. With a variety of styles, colors, and openness levels available, solar shades are a practical and aesthetically pleasing addition to any window.
Exterior Solar Shades - Expand your livable space and lower your energy bill
Why Outside Beats Inside
Exterior shading stops solar heat before it reaches your window glass—meaning it doesn’t make its way into your home. Evidence shows that properly installed exterior blinds or awnings can block 65%–75% of solar heat gain. But the benefits don’t stop at energy savings inside. By shading patios and outdoor spaces, you can significantly lower temperatures, making your outdoor areas usable even in the peak of summer. Add in insect-resistant screen options, and your patio becomes a comfortable, bug-free retreat—perfect for year-round relaxation or entertaining.
Local Love
A Canyon Lake-area ranch installed motorized solar shades on their western porch. The difference? Their outdoor living space now beats the full afternoon sun, keeps the bugs out, and stays comfortable well into the evening. And best of all—they didn’t have to give up the view or the breeze.
Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades – Insulation Meets Style
How They Work
Cellular shades trap air in honeycomb-shaped cells, creating an insulating barrier between your home and outside temperatures—essential in keeping Boerne’s triple-digit afternoons at bay.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cellular shades can reduce solar heat gain during warm seasons by up to 60%, while cutting winter heat loss by 40%–a savings of around 10% on annual heating costs.
Why Boerne Homeowners Love Them
- Superior R‑value for insulation—effectively turning glass into window‑wall hybrids.
- Sleek, cordless designs blend with both traditional Hill Country and modern Texas styles.
- Custom sizing ensures a perfect fit for every unique build: ranch-style windows, downtown transoms, heritage homes—no gaps, no drafts.
Real Results in Boerne
We recently installed full-width, dual-cell shades in a Boerne family’s living room. They enjoyed noticeable thermal changes within hours—the home felt cooler, and their bills dropped noticeably. It’s one of those upgrades that “works silently in the background.”
Layered Treatments: Cellular Shades + Drapes
Why Two is Better Than One
Combining cellular shades with drapes offers dual-layer protection: insulation from cellulars and radiant/UV defense from drapery.
- DOE notes medium-colored drapes with white backing can reduce solar heat gain by ~33%.
How It Looks in Boerne
- Use light-filtering cellular shades for daily comfort.
- Add decorative drapes in Hill Country neutrals—wool, linen, or cotton blends for depth and style.
- Achieve a layered Texan interior that's both functional and welcoming.
Real-World Appeal
And let’s not forget Shutters!
Motorize and Automate – Precise, Convenient, and Energy Savvy
The Smart Shade Advantage
Motorized shades allow for timed or smart automated adjustments based on the sun’s angle, indoor comfort, or energy goals.
- The Illinois Institute of Technology found a 25% reduction in energy use with motorized insulating shades during heating and cooling seasons.
- A Baltimore study confirmed 13% electricity savings in homes with smart automated shades.
Why It Works in Boerne
- Unmindful shade adjustment is common: DOE reports that 75% of operable shades stay in one position daily. Motorization ensures optimum use without lifting a finger.
- Easy control via apps, remotes, or smart-home systems—perfect when you're out hitting the hill country trails.
No Need to Wire Your Home
From Kerrville to New Braunfels, homeowners across the Texas Hill Country are discovering the convenience of modern, battery-operated shade motors. These systems eliminate the need for hardwiring, making installation quick and hassle-free—perfect for both historic homes in Fredericksburg and new builds in Boerne. Most battery-powered motors can operate for up to 500 cycles on a single charge, meaning you’ll typically only need to recharge them once a year. And when it’s time, recharging is as simple as plugging in your smartphone.
Today’s motorized shades offer more than just convenience—they bring smart control to your space. Whether you’re adjusting your shades from a wall switch in a Blanco ranch, using a remote control in your Canyon Lake house, or programming settings through a smartphone app or home automation system in your Comfort retreat, managing light and heat has never been easier. These systems let you create personalized scenes that enhance comfort, save energy, and showcase the Hill Country views you love.
A Local Success Story
We installed motorized solar shades on a Boerne hilltop home. Tied into their Nest system, the family schedules shades to retract in the morning and close mid-day automatically. The result? Efficient cooling, preserved views, and serious convenience.
Putting It All Together: Ideal Combinations for Boerne
Here’s how to layer for efficient, safe, stylish, and energy-smart living:
- South-facing: Solar roller shade (5–10% openness); Cellular shade; Motorization option
- West-facing: Awnings or exterior solar shades; Drapery or cellular shade; Smart home integration
- North/east-facing: Light-filtering cellular shades; Optional sheer drapes; Manual operation acceptable
- Historic home: Low‑E window film; Interior cellular shade; Lightweight drapery for style
Each Boerne home is unique—from Napa Valley-like ranches to downtown heritage buildings. Our design team crafts custom solutions that match both your home's style and energy goals.
Why Choose Bumble Bee Blinds of Boerne?
1. Deep Understanding of Hill Country Homes
Our Boerne roots give us insights into local architectural traits and seasonal challenges like nobody else.
2. Expert Consult & Measurements
Kerri works with you to understand your fashion sense as well as your home's specific needs and challenges. She will measure precisely, and work with you to formulate a solution tailored to you and your home.
3. Top-Quality Custom Products
We offer window treatments from seven top manufacturers, ensuring that we can find the right solution for you, your home and your budge.
4. In-Home Consultations
5. Professional Installations
Our team installs with precision—ensuring tight fits, clean looks, and motorization that blends beautifully with your interior.
6. Full-Service Follow-Up
We back our work with warranties and stand behind performance—if your shades aren’t helping keep your home cool, we fix it.
Getting Started: Your Boerne Summer Project
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: Can shades really reduce my cooling costs by 25%?
A: Absolutely—studies show motorized insulating shades can lower HVAC usage by ~25% annually in mixed climates.
Q: What's the difference between 5% and 14% openness solar shade?
A: Lower openness blocks more light/heat but reduces visibility; higher openness lets more light in with moderate protection.
Q: Are motorized shades safe for kids and pets?
A: Definitely. We install cord-free systems with child-safe remotes or wall switches—great peace of mind.
Q: How long until ROI on these installations?
A: Depending on your package, energy savings could offset costs in 3–5 years. And added comfort is a bonus.
Q: Will this hurt my home’s charm?
A: Quite the contrary. Custom window treatments are as much or more about adding to the beauty of your home as they are improving livability and energy efficiency!
About the Author
Matt Wigle
Matt retired from a 35-year career in global manufacturing after earning a BS in Chemical Engineering and an MBA. Shortly after retirement, I realized retirement wasn’t for me - at least not yet!e Together with my son Michael, we discovered a passion for transforming spaces through window treatments. Supported by my wife Jean (Queen Bee) and daughter Ali (a Product Design student at U of O), our family is proud to bring excellence and innovation through Bumble Bee Blinds of San Antonio & Hill Country, including Bumble Bee Blinds of Boerne, Bumble Bee Blinds of New Braunfels, and Bumble Bee Blinds of Northwest San Antonio.