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During the summer, your windows let in a lot of heat, especially those that get the sun's direct rays. The air conditioning kicks in and you find yourself paying high-energy bills. However, with the help of draperies, shades, blinds or perhaps an awning, your energy bills can be cut down. Interior Blinds Vertical or horizontal slat-type blinds are the most effective at preventing the sun's heat from entering your home in the summer. Slats can be closed completely to reflect the sun's rays. If you want to let light into the house, you can open the slats slightly and direct it up toward a light colored ceiling. A light colored ceiling will help diffuse a small amount of light around the room without letting in much heat. This way, you can brighten up your house and keep your energy bills down. Draperies For the summer months, medium-colored draperies with white plastic lining seem to be the most effective at keeping heat out. The light colored lining reflects the sun's rays, so it would be a good idea to put draperies on the windows that receive the sun's direct light. Hang the draperies as close as possible to the glass panes. They should fall all the way to the floor, attach to the surrounding wall, and have a cornice at the top. Basically, you want to seal the entire space is sealed by the drapery so very little heat can make its way through. Shades Shades are another great option to reflect the sun's head away from your home. You'll want to use shades that have a highly reflective side. This side will face outward toward the sun. As with draperies, your shades should be positioned as close as possible to the glass panes. Pleated or cellular shades can provide even more insulation. These shades utilize air pockets within the shades to trap warm air and keep it from coming inside the house. Awnings If you don't mind the look of awnings, they do a great job of shading your windows and keeping heat out of the house. Awnings are also great for patio areas which are accessed through a sliding glass door. Today, awnings are made of durable synthetic fabrics like polyvinyl and acrylic laminates. They are much sturdier than previous metal or canvas materials. These laminates repel water and resist mildew and fading. There are many colors to choose from, but light colors are best at reflecting heat. If you don't want your windows shaded all year, you can purchase an adjustable or retractable awning. That way, you can have the sun's heat enter your home during the cold winter months. With so many different insulating options, you're sure to find a great way to keep the summer heat out of your home. When your windows aren't letting in the heat from the sun inside during the day, your air conditioner will be more effective at keeping your house cool. You'll also find your energy bill dropping! Looking around for new windows? Central Jersey residents can click here for helpful information: http://www.jammerdoors.com.
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