In Minnetonka, the extreme seasonal temperature swings can make it difficult to ensure that every part of your house is always comfortable. This is especially the case if your home has numerous large windows. Windows are a major source of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, making proper window insulation essential. Investing in energy-efficient window treatments makes it easier to regulate indoor temperature to prevent heat loss and gain and lower your energy bills. There are also effective options for reducing glare and blocking UV rays to protect furniture and décor from fading. By choosing the right coverings for your specific needs, you can enjoy improved comfort in every season.
Window Treatment Options for Year-Round Energy Efficiency
There are a variety of insulating window treatments that help boost a home's energy efficiency while also providing a sleek, beautiful appearance. Which option is right for your home depends on what you're trying to achieve. It can also depend on which direction the windows face and how much direct sunlight they receive during the warmest parts of the day.
Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades
Cellular or honeycomb shades are a fantastic option for improving efficiency and boosting comfort throughout the year. The unique honeycomb design has pockets that trap air, creating an insulating barrier that greatly reduces heat loss through the window during the cold Minnesota winter and blocks heat gain in summer.
With a wide range of customizable opacity options, you can choose how much light you want to let in. If you're concerned about the light shining through the shades causing glare on the TV, you can choose more opaque shades that allow in less light. Opting for less opaque shades allows you to enjoy more natural light while still lessening summer heat gain.
Solar & Roller Shades
Solar shades are a special type of roller shade that help reduce glare and UV exposure, making them an ideal choice for sunny Minnetonka summers. The shades are made from synthetic materials that are specially designed to block UV rays while still allowing light to shine through. By blocking the UV rays, the shades help prevent indoor heat buildup during hot, sunny summer afternoons. This improves overall energy efficiency by reducing how much you need to run your air conditioning. Solar shades are ideally suited for south-facing and west-facing windows that receive lots of direct sunlight in the afternoon and early evening. These UV-blocking shades also protect items from fading.
Solar shades come in a range of transparency levels. The most common options are 1%, 3%, 5% and 10%. Shades that are 10% transparent block 90% of UV rays while still being transparent enough that you can see through them. If you want to better preserve your view, there are some options that are up to 25% transparent. While the shades will allow in more UV light, they still provide significant protection against heat gain and UV damage.
The one thing to note with solar shades is that the more transparent options allow people to see in from outside. That means they may not be the best choice for bedrooms and other areas where you want more privacy. They also still let in lots of sunlight. For areas where you want privacy or if you're looking to block out sunlight to keep the room darker, traditional roller shades are a great solution.
Thermal Draperies & Layered Treatments
Whether you opt for cellular shades, solar shades or traditional roller shades, layering thermal drapes over them is an easy way to boost insulation. Insulated thermal linings improve heat retention during winter, helping lessen the amount of work the heating system has to do. Having drapes as well as shades makes it easy to block intense sunlight in summer. Combining drapes with solar shades is an especially great choice for ensuring you can block UV rays when you want to enjoy natural light and still have privacy whenever you need. With drapes and layered treatments, you can enhance style while also boosting your home's energy efficiency.
Custom Blinds, Shutters & Shades for Minnetonka Homes
Opting for custom blinds, shutters, and shades allows you to improve efficiency and home comfort while also ensuring that the treatments match your sense of taste and perfectly blend in with your home décor. When choosing custom energy-saving shades, the type of material is one of the main factors to focus on. Lined fabric shades help with heat retention, while shades with a UV-blocking finish are great for keeping heat out during the summer. Many custom shades are made with moisture-resistant materials that resist damage and offer long-lasting performance. Faux wood shutters offer a beautiful, classic appearance while also enhancing insulation and ensuring you have privacy whenever you need it.
Many Minnetonka homes have large bay windows, walls of glass that face out to the lake and uniquely shaped windows. With these types of windows, custom sizing is crucial for ensuring the shades provide full coverage and seamlessly blend in with the room.
Professional Installations for Maximum Efficiency
For energy-efficient window treatments to provide their full insulating benefits, they must be installed properly. Gaps around the edges of shades make the shades less effective and lead to increased heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. With professional installation, you'll also ensure that your new window treatments enhance the beauty of your home.
At Bumble Bee Blinds, our precise, professional installations eliminate gaps to prevent drafts and provide effective year-round performance. We offer an extensive range of efficient custom window treatment options to match every style and any type of window. Using our Visualizer Tool allows you to see how different options will look in your space, making it easy to pick out the best designs for your home. After uploading a photo of your space, you can play around with different product, style, fabric and color options to find which ones are the best fit.
Why Minnetonka Homes Trust Bumble Bee Blinds
Bumble Bee Blinds is the one-stop shop for all of your custom window treatment needs. We provide end-to-end service from the initial consultation and design to ordering and professional installation. Our process takes the hassle out of trying to find and order custom shades, shutters, and curtains that perfectly fit your windows and match your style. Our trusted warranty also provides added peace of mind post-installation by ensuring you can always turn to us for additional assistance and support. We're committed to using our expertise to help homeowners increase comfort, enhance the beauty of their house, and reduce their energy costs year-round. The wide range of energy-efficient window coverings we offer makes it easy to find the right solution to keep your home comfortable through summer heat waves and winter cold snaps.
To schedule a consultation and get help finding the right custom window treatment options for your Minnetonka home, contact the experts at Bumble Bee Blinds today.