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

The R-Value Of Shutters And Other Window Treatments In Indianapolis

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency might be a big requirement for your windows. With a bad treatment, your windows could have unacceptable heat loss, which can lead to higher energy bills. To get the most energy-efficient window treatments, you need to look at their R-values.

But what window treatments own the highest R-value in Indianapolis?

How Can You Find A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Indianapolis?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your house that plays a part with insulation -- from the walls to windows -- has an R-value. Those digits lets you know how well an item hinders thermal energy from going through it. A larger R-value indicates a better insulator.

So why care about a window treatment’s R-value in Indianapolis? Well, because windows are one of the most common areas of heat loss in the home. If you want to trap in the hot air during wintertime or keep your home cooler in the warm times, you need a window covering with greater insulation. A window covering with a big R-value allows you to keep your rooms at an optimal setting.

Window Covering R-value Comparison Table

Every window treatment is not built with the same care, at least not when it comes to insulation. Though there might be a bit of variation with the building material and quality between different makes and models, below is what you’re probably to find when comparing window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
No window treatment	0.75 - 1
Aluminum blinds	1.5 - 2
Window shades	2.5
Drapes	2 - 3
Wood Shutters	3 - 4
Cellular Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

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

Remember, the higher the R-value number the more the window covering helps insulate your home. No surprise that mini-blinds, which use inefficient aluminum, bring almost no energy-saving value when compared to a more substantial product, like Polywood shutters. That large gap in R-value can result in a variance of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on if you crank up the thermostat and make your energy bills rise.

What Raises A Window Treatment’s R-Value In Indianapolis?

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

A couple of things affect a window covering's R-value: build and materials. First, coverings that have multiple avenues for heat to escape will not have a large R-value. For example, curtains and blinds dangle down, letting heat to escape around the sides of the treatment. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-crafted snuggly around the window, keeping air against the window’s glass when you shut the louvers.

Secondly, what materials the product is constructed with can have a significant impact to insulation. Take cellular shades, which are made with precisely positioned layers of fabric that create “cells” to trap heat. As a result, they can stop temperature disbursement more efficiently than products like Roman shades. Likewise, our Polywood interior shutters, made from a durable faux wood composite, can repel heat loss more than natural wood shutters. Polywood shutters also use weatherstripping, which results in a air-tight seal on your window when the panels and louvers are snapped shut.

Improve Your House’s R-value In Indianapolis

Do you feel like your house could be a tad bit cozier? How about a change to durable Polywood shutters to increase that R-value? Contact Sunburst Shutters Indianapolis by calling 317-558-9066 or submitting the form below to book your no-cost in-home consultation.

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