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Energy costs are skyrocketing and people everywhere are looking for creative ways to reduce their overall energy consumption and slash large heating and cooling bills. No one is exempt from the energy predicament - including the home fashion industry - which is now focusing on the R-value of blinds and shades.
R-value is a measure a window's resistance to airflow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the window is in reducing cooling and heating costs.
Cellular shades -- also referred to as "honeycomb" -- get their name from the unique air-trapping "cells" which construct the shade. Cellular shades are the best type of insulating window treatments on the market!
The experts at Aloha Blinds & Designs explain that uncovered windows can account for 10% to 25% of a homeowner's heating and cooling bill. Additionally, during summer months, sunny windows can make an air conditioner work two to three times harder than normal.
Cellular shades combat the inefficiency of a homeowner's window by creating a trapped air barrier between the cellular shade and the window. For those homeowners looking for maximum insulating value,
double cell shades are also available. Double cells contain twice as many chambers per blind and dramatically improve the R-value of the window.
Homeowners have a new way to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter with cellular shades. This solution minimizes the damaging effects of ultraviolet light on wood floors, carpets and furniture while bringing beauty and function to virtually any room of the home.
Cellular shades are one of the most popular window treatments because of their numerous features. The unique cellular construction provides excellent insulation and sound absorption and they are very durable yet extremely soft to the touch. Our cellular shades are available in several pleat sizes and come in a full spectrum of colors, with no visible cord holes and the fabric is washable, stain and wrinkle resistant.
Thanks to the honeycomb construction of our Cellular shades they are ideal at providing light filtering control to a room. The blackout cellular shades take this a step further and allow for the total blackout of light into the room. If you want a product that has some of the features and benefits of our cellular shades but is less expensive, consider our pleated shades.
Specifications
When selecting an energy efficient window treatment, primary importance should be given to its R-factor (resistance to heat/air conditioning) loss of transfer.
The following table gives general ratings for different window covering materials. The higher the R factor, the better the resistance to heat and air conditioning loss.
| Window
Treatments |
1 layer glass
at R value = .89 |
2 layers of glass
at R value= .81 |
| Aluminum blinds |
1.20 |
3.01 |
| Pleated shades (varies by fabric) |
1.20 to 1.30 |
3.01 to 3.11 |
| Vertical blinds (varies by material - freehanging
fabrics will insulate less than solid vinyls or fabrics with vinyl
groovers) |
1.0 to 3.0 |
2.81 to 4.81 |
| Cellular shades (varies by fabric and number of
cells- dual or triple celled shades will insulate more than single celled shades) |
1.34 to 3.0+ |
3.15 to 4.81+ |
| Wood blinds |
1.4 |
3.2 |
| Louvered shutters |
1.5 |
3.4 |
The region’s premier provider of custom window and door coverings.
Absolutely nothing enhances the beauty & value
of your
home or business like custom window coverings
from Aloha Blinds & Designs!
(c) 2006
ALOHA BLINDS & DESIGNS, INC. All rights reserved.
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