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The Best Window Treatments For Summer Heat in Charlotte

July 31, 2019

When it’s hot outside, keeping cool is critical. One way you can lower your energy bills and keep cool is to pick the perfect energy efficient window treatments for summer in Charlotte. 

While not all window treatments are made the same, we’ll let you know precisely how window treatments can block heat from seeping in. Also, we’ll show you how to get the most energy-efficient window coverings so you can feel cool when summer becomes hot.

Here’s How Energy Efficient Window Treatments Block Heat 

Interior shutters in breezy sunroom.

Polywood® shutters can stop the Charlotte summer heat and keep your home comfortable. 
  1. Stops airflow - Treatments that completely covers your window opening block air and could decrease the warm airflow through your windows. Our Polywood plantation shutters block as much as 30 degrees of heat coming from your window when the louvers are down. 

  2. Curtails heat transfer - When the sun flows through your window it warms up the pane and that heat might then flow to inside rooms. Energy efficient treatments reduce this heat transfer. Polywood shutters reduce heat transfer by roughly 46% and have shown to be 70% more energy efficient than hardwood shutters and are 1600% more energy efficient than aluminum blinds.

  3. Maximizes R-value - R-value measures the energy efficiency of a given material. We use it for windows, insulation, and window treatments. You want a window covering to have a high R-value. When Polywood shutters are closed and coupled with a double-pane window, their R-value is 6, one of the highest values for window treatments.

What you’ll find in energy-efficient window treatments

Polywood Shutters in Charlotte kitchen

Now that you know the ways that window treatments can block heat, what specific features should you want to see in a treatment?
 

Window treatments that can encase the window or trap air

The best way to halt airflow is by trapping the air between the window and your room. You can do this with window coverings like Polywood shutters which completely encases the window when shut. And unlike other plantation shutters, Polywood shutters even have weather stripping which further blocks off any air transfer. The video below explains how to correctly close Polywood shutters to get the most energy efficiency. (Hint: As your plantation shutters are open, they are letting heat through and are lessening their energy efficiency).


An additional window covering option is cellular shades.  They trap air in honeycomb-shaped material. But, if you have a gap between the window and the shades, you can discover that there’s airflow entering from under the shades.

Window coverings that are a light color and employ UV-reflecting material

[White|Plantation]313] Shutters in Bedroom 

Light colors reflect heat and make a great choice for energy efficient window coverings. Our Polywood shutters come in three variations of white and utilize a UV-reflecting layer to help your AC bills stay low.

If you want curtains or drapes, pick ones with a light-colored backing that reflects back UV rays.

Need Help Finding the Right Window Treatments for Summer and Beyond?

If you're looking for the perfect window treatments for summer, Sunburst Shutters Charlotte can help. Contact us at 980-231-1116 or complete the form below to schedule a no-cost in-home consultation. At our visit, we’ll demonstrate all of your energy efficient window treatment choices and help you discover the best window treatment that fits your style, budget, and home.