That said, it is expensive to replace old, leaky windows. Despite the ads on TV from companies advertising specials on double paned windows that are energy efficient, the average homeowner can expect to spend at least $2,000 to replace windows in a 2,000 square foot home.
You may decide, instead, to install energy efficient window coverings. While some coverings, such as plastic sheeting, are effective, they are not very pleasing in appearance. If you want stylish and aesthetically pleasing coverings that also reduce your energy consumption, it is best to look at insulated drapes and faux-wood blinds.
These window coverings offer several positives and negatives. Insulated curtains can be made of heavy material and include a backing that repels heat and the sun. If you draw these curtains during the winter, you keep out cold drafts that may leak through your windows. You also reduce the temperature impact of cold windows on the warm air in the house. During the summer, you can draw your insulated drapes before you leave your home in the morning, and open them again when you return in the early evening and the intensity of the sun is low.
One of the drawbacks of insulated drapes is that they can cause a house’s inhabitants to feel claustrophobic, especially in the winter when the sun sets earlier. Also, there is no happy medium with these drapes. If you decide to open them partly, you lose the insulation benefits for the portion of the window that is open. If you do not open them at all, you lose out on any natural light coming into your home.
Especially beneficial in the summer, these blinds are made of PVC, but textured and colored to fool the casual observer into believing that they are wood blinds. The benefit of the PVC is that it does not conduct heat. When you close these blinds, you will shut out the heat from the sun that comes through your window. In addition, they do allow very small bits of natural light to penetrate from the outside so you do not get a claustrophobic feeling.
Best of all, faux-wood blinds provide a modern and stylish appearance for your interior. If the sun shines a lot in your part of the country, and you want to make the most of its appearance in a fashionable manner that keeps out the heat of the day, these blinds should be your choice. Regardless of your choice of window treatments, do whatever you can to conserve energy and reduce waste. ___________________________________ This was a new partner post.
