One of the hottest debates in home construction and design revolves around the idea of adding curtains to a home’s windows vs installing window shutters. Which solution is cheapest to install? Which option offers the best protection for your home? What kind of window covering can save you the most money on your energy bills? We take a look at these questions below, starting with an explanation of what each option entails.
Today it’s common to use Shutter blinds for windows in place of curtains, but they’re actually much older than curtains. Window shutters were used long before people began building houses and soon after that, they were also used in the bed-chamber, where the aging comes from. However, window shutters weren’t primarily designed for keeping people warm — here’s my main piece of advice to you: always be skeptical of anyone who uses the word “primarily”.
Air inlet/outlet
There are two main considerations for both insulating materials and curtains/blinds:
Air inlet/outlet – Air is able to move in or out of the home, either because of a gap between the window and the frame or because of a gap at the top or bottom of the curtain/blind.
Heat loss/gain – Heat can be lost through the glass (or heat gain through the glass in summer) via conduction. Moving air itself does not transmit heat
Many people assume that window shutters are there solely to make a home look more beautiful. It will if you pick our Double Hung Shutters. However, In reality, the primary purpose of window shutters is to provide your home with a layer of protection from the elements. Window shutters can help regulate the temperature inside of your home and keep it more comfortable for you and your family.
When winter comes around, temperatures drop dramatically. If you’re not prepared for this change in weather, it can be extremely difficult to protect your home from the cold.
The best way to keep heat inside of your home is with an air inlet/outlet. An air outlet is a hole in the wall or ceiling that allows warm air to escape into other rooms or up into attics. An air inlet is a similar hole in another area of the house, where cool air enters and mixes with the warm air already present
Insulation
Window shutters are an effective insulator because they keep the cold air out and the hot air in. This is unlike curtains which do not have enough insulation to keep the heat trapped in the room.
The insulating factor depends on how well it blocks the cold air from coming into your home and how well it keeps warm air from escaping.
Window shutters block cold air from entering your home and keep the warm air inside. This means that they retain more heat than curtains and this is why they are able to keep your home warm even during winter.
Curtains also provide insulation but not as much as window shutters. They are only able to block a small amount of cold air from entering your home which means that there is less retention of heat than what you get with window shutters.
Warmth
It’s a subject that has been discussed at length, with many claiming that shutters are the better option when it comes to keeping your home warm, while others swear blind that curtains do the job just as well if they’re drawn at night.
We know that proper insulation keeps your home warm and minimizes energy bills, but what role do window treatments play in this? We explore the question…
So, is it shutters or curtains?
The answer actually lies in the question itself: it’s a combination of both. Shutters are more effective than curtains at keeping heat where it belongs. However, if you have just curtains and not shutters, you can still trap warmth with them – it’s just a little more work for you. Let’s look at the science behind both options.
Ventilation
Insulation is the ability to reduce heat loss and gain. Insulation’s efficiency is measured by R-value, which indicates resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation. Insulated shutters have an R-value of 3.45 to 4.0, while fiberglass batts in a 2 x 4 wall cavity have an R-value of 2.5 per inch or 10.
Ventilation is the movement of air from one place to another. When outside air moves indoors, it’s called infiltration or passive ventilation; when it’s moved outdoors, it’s called exhaust or active ventilation.
Windows are one of the main sources of heat gain and loss in a home due to their low R-values and their large surface area. If you’re looking for ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, reducing window heat loss and gain is one of your best options.
Shutter insulation is better than curtains because shutters do not block airflow like drapes can do if you don’t open them regularly. Shutters also allow you to control the amount of ventilation by simply opening or closing them just as you would a regular window.
Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether the insulation benefits of shutters make them a viable option for your home. Much of it comes down to personal preference and how you want your room to look. But from an energy efficiency standpoint, shutters are definitely a much better option than curtains. If you are still not convinced check out our products at curtains york pa and get your windows treatment going.