How to Pick The Best Window Solution for Your Home

If there’s one thing I hate to see when I go into a newly purchased or remodeled home, it’s a naked window! During your next home improvement project, make sure you don’t forget to provide intimacy for yourself and your family by choosing an appropriate window treatment. If you’re like I was twenty years ago, you might have a little trouble figuring out the best solution for you and your home, so here are some suggestions to get you started.

The most basic window coverings are your basic curtains, which come in a variety of colors and materials, and can be arranged in many ways, the most typical being hung in pairs on the outside of a window. Almost everyone has seen or used curtains in the past, right? Add a little more interest to your window treatments by using shutters or shades! Shutters, which used to come in only a very limited variety, are becoming more and more customizable. The best companies are able to design a shutter to fit any shape and specification, and some are making bold statements with new artistic methods to make yours stand out from the crowd (see Danmer’s Masterpiece Shutters at www.danmer.com).

Before you get into the shape and color of a window treatment, you may want to consider the energy-saving factors of certain materials. Curtains, shades, shutters and blinds can all help reduce heat and light transfer between the inside and the outside of your home by providing an extra layer of air between the glass and the fixture. However, not all window treatments were created equal, and certain fixtures are more effective at saving energy.

Most architects and construction specialists are familiar with a material’s “R-value”, which is its measure of thermal resistance. A unit’s R-value is essentially determined by dividing the thickness of a material by its thermal conductivity. For example, most basic curtains and drapes have an R-1 rating, which is quite low, while honeycomb blinds, thick curtains with insulating lining, or well-fitted shutters can have a rating up to R-6. These may not seem to be important figures to you now, but you may find that you can cut your energy bill in half if you utilize the right fixtures.

The way that these treatments save you money is by reflecting the sun in the summer, and allowing light and heat to filter through and provide additional energy in the winter. You won’t always have to rely on air-conditioning or heat, which are the primary sources of energy usage in the home. If you have a movable shutter fixture, you can additionally reduce electricity costs by utilizing natural light whenever possible. In addition to a high-quality fixture with a high R-value, you’ll also want to make sure you have restricted air flow by caulking and weatherstripping around your windows.

After you consider how you’d like to insulate and protect your home, you can start thinking about the aesthetic. Are you starting from scratch or trying to fit new fixtures into an already-existing design scheme? If you have the freedom to make big decisions, choosing dramatic window fixtures can add elegance and class to your home. Use a vibrant color to liven up a kitchen or a dark, dramatic color to set the mood in the master suite. Plantation shutters have wider panels (or louvers, as we call them), which create a more dramatic atmosphere when you let a little sunlight into the room.

If you don’t have the ability to choose something large and dramatic, I’d recommend choosing a neutral color with an extremely functional treatment. Remember to consider functionality: how will you be using the fixture? How much flexibility do you need? If you have little ones, think about safety as well. Long strings can be enticing and very dangerous, while movable louvers can pinch tiny fingers without the proper precautions. Even if it’s not a statement piece, a high-quality, high-function shutter or shade will make you happy as can be.

People always say “eyes are the window to the soul”, and it’s my belief that windows (and the treatments that allow for privacy) can be “eyes” reflecting on the “soul” of the house. Make sure whatever you choose, that it fits your personality, and the functionality of day-to-day living in your home, and make sure you have a company willing to go the extra mile to make sure it fits your style.