7 Window Treatments That Can Lower Your Energy Bills

 Julie Kim
Houzz contributor, architectural and urban designer with over a decade.

Whether  it’s a pair of drapes hung to frame a pleasant view or a cheery striped awning floating above a picture window, homeowners often dress up their windows for beauty rather than function. But with the right materials and proper placement, these decorations might actually help lower your monthly energy bills.

The impact can be significant. According to the United States Department of Energy (DOE), something as simple as a set of medium-colored drapes backed with white plastic reduces solar heat gain by as much as 33 percent.

When the hot months arrive soon, don’t just blast the air conditioning. Explore some of these window treatment ideas instead.

Shades
The DOE considers window shades the simplest and most effective way to save energy with window treatments. Proper installment is key. Mounting shades as close to the glass as possible and right up against the adjacent wall creates a tight seal that minimizes both heat gain and loss. Shades with dual layers of fabric — a light color on one side and a darker color on the other— add more functionality. Try reversing the shades based on the season; the light color will reflect heat in summer, while the dark color will absorb heat during winter.

Ideal locations: Shades are flexible, so any window orientation is suitable.
Best uses: Depending on material, color and whether they are raised or lowered, they can help reduce both solar heat gain and heat loss.

Blinds

Both interior and exterior blinds help reduce solar heat gain while maintaining desired light, ventilation and privacy. When closed and lowered on a sunny window, reflective blinds (white or near white) are capable of reducing heat gain by 45 percent.

Ideal locations: South- and west-facing windows.
Best uses: Reducing heat gain where you still want options for light, ventilation and privacy.

Exterior blinds are potentially even more effective than interior blinds. Unlike interior blinds, they block heat before it is transmitted through the window and warms up the room. They are tricky to add to an existing window, however, so are best left for new construction.

The designer of this home integrated exterior blinds into the facade as a beautiful architectural element.

Drapes

Depending on fabric weight and color, drapes help insulate your home from both solar heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.

As stated earlier, medium-colored drapes with a white plastic backing can reduce solar heat gain by as much as 33 percent if left closed during hot months. As with other window treatments, a tight seal is needed for maximum performance. Hang drapes from a cornice or right up to the ceiling down to the floor and position them as close to the window as possible.

Ideal locations: Any orientation, because of their flexibility.
Best uses: Reducing solar heat gain and loss, depending on a number of factors.

Awnings

Awnings not only add personality to a home’s exterior but offer an excellent defense against the sun in areas with perpetually hot weather. Exterior awnings can reduce solar heat gain by up to 65 percent for south-facing windows and 77 percent for west-facing windows.

Ideal locations: South- and west-facing windows.
Best uses: Reducing heat gain in warm weather.

Some features will help improve your awning’s performance. Opaque and tightly woven awnings block sun better than flimsy fabrics; light-colored awnings reflect more sunlight. Since awnings trap hot air next to the windows, the DOE recommends openings for ventilation. Finally, retractable awnings allow sun to reach inside the house during the colder months.

Roof Overhangs
Roof overhangs operate similarly to awnings. If designed properly, the right roof overhang not only will block solar heat in summer but will allow desirable heat to help warm your interior in winter. Consult an architect or a designer experienced in passive solar design. He or she will consider a multitude of factors, like latitude, climate and window size.

Ideal locations: South-facing windows.
Best uses: Solar heat gain and heat loss in new construction projects. Awnings are a sensible option for existing windows.

High Reflectivity Film

Because of high reflectivity film’s permanence, the DOE suggests using it in climates with short winters. The film reduces heat gain the entire year, including in winter months, which might actually benefit from solar heat.

Silver, mirror-like film works better than more transparent film. High reflectivity film works well on very large windows, like on the garage here, where cool temperatures are desirable.

Ideal locations: East- and west-facing windows.
Best uses: Reducing solar heat gain all year round.

Mesh Window Screens

Mesh window screens reduce heat gain by diffusing solar radiation. Experts advise mounting the screen to an exterior frame and covering the entire window.

Ideal locations: East- and west-facing windows.
Best uses: Reducing heat gain in windows that need light all year round.

Are Plantation Shutters the Right Choice for Your Windows?

One of my favorite choices for window treatments is the plantation shutter. They are versatile, less expensive than custom draperies, and can increase the value of your home. They are the only window treatment that can be financed into the purchase of your home. Why? Because they are highly desirable and usually stay with the home when it's sold. 

Let's take a look at how Houzz members are using them in their homes.

Cornerstone Interiors

Plantation shutters are a popular choice for kitchens. When shopping for interior shutters, it's important to know if you are buying custom shutters truly built for your windows or if the company will take stock panels and cut them down to fit. Often, the prices are very similar.

Samuel H. Williamson Associates

"Traditional" shutters are not the same as plantation shutters. They have the smaller, narrower louvers and are more often found in the New England states. Traditional shutters are rarely installed today since the trend is toward letting in lots of light and keeping the view open to the outside.

Somers & Company Interiors, Gillian Somers

The Spanish introduced shutters to the Americas. Large plantation homes in the South often used the wider louvered style shutters, giving them their name.

The shutters shown here are designed with a narrow divider rail. This allows for separate control of the top and bottom louvers, a feature that comes in handy when evening arrives and you would like some privacy.

Kerrie L. Kelly

Today's plantation shutters come in many different styles and louver sizes. The most popular louver size where I live is 2 1/2 inch as shown in thisfamily room.

The shutters depicted here in this room appear to have the larger 3 1/2 inch louver style. What size louver you choose is really a personal decision. The 2 1/2 inch louver is more traditional and is a great choice for average size rooms with normal ceiling heights. If you have huge rooms with soaring ceilings, the 3 1/2 inch louver may be a better fit.

Somers & Company Interiors, Gillian Somers

When shopping for plantation shutters, there are important features to look for. A custom shutter company will measure your window exactly and build your shutters to fit. These shutters appear to have been custom built because of the location of the divider rail. Beautiful.

Conard Romano Architects

Shutters designed with a divider rail or in the double hung fashion are a popular choice in bathrooms. They allow for closure of the bottom louvers for privacy while the top louvers can be left opened for a view and light. It's harder to get that kind of function with curtains, drapes or wood blinds.

Valerie DeRoy Interiors, LLC

Sometimes a half shutter is all you need, but I would caution you on buying half shutters. They cost almost as much as full length shutters. You won't get as much insulation or sunlight control. Full window shutters beautifully let in lots of light and view while protecting your furniture and rugs from sun damage. So weigh the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision to go with half shutters.

BraytonHughes Design Studios

When shutters are are built specifically for your windows, you will have lots of choices regarding how they are designed. For a window like this, the two panels could open from the center or bi-fold to one side.

If you never plan to actually open the panels back against the wall, having them open from the center is fine. But if you plan to throw open the panels and there is something in the way on one side (like the pipe running up the left side of this window) then bi-fold is the way to go. They work similarly to bi-fold doors, folding one on top of the other, off to the side.

This window is designed to offer the homeowner many options for controlling the view and the light. First of all they are designed in a "double hung" fashion. This will allow opening of the top louvers while the bottom louvers are closed. And because they are double hung, the top panels could actually fold all the way back against the wall leaving the bottom panels in place. The homeowner also could throw all the panels back opening up the entire window. Pretty cool all the function you can get with a plantation shutter!

These wonderful, old re-purposed shutters show how shutters designed to bi-fold would work.

Conard Romano Architects

How your shutters are designed will depend on your needs/wants and the style of your windows. This window seat has three windows across the back. Since they are narrow, one large panel was designed for each window, as opposed to two skinny ones. This allows for lots of light and view. Also, they are designed with a divider rail for separate control of the top and bottom louvers.

sherry hart

Plantation shutters can be custom built to fit any shape or size window.

Evalyn Ashmore, ASID

These panels fit around the handle of the door. This room would just not look the same if a fabric treatment had been placed on the door.

Celia James

When shopping for shutters, ask about:
1. Tension adjustment screws (to prevent issues with drooping louvers later)
2. Mortised hinges (looks better in a frame install and from the outside on bi-fold panels)
3. The wood from which they are made (never buy pine shutters, bad to bleed sap)
4. Rabbited edges (prevents light gaps through the center where panels meet)
5. Siderails at least 1 1/2 inches in thickness (prevents warping of panel)
6. References (and check your BBB). All shutter companies are not created equal.

Witt Construction

I love the uniform look when all the windows on the front of a home have plantation shutters. Great curb appeal!

If you want to soften the look of your shutters in some rooms, such as bedrooms, feel free to add drapes or a valance on top of your shutters. They'll give you all the sun control and privacy you need and leave you free to add whatever decorative treatments you like.

Do you have plantation shutters in your home? If so, have you added fabric treatments on top or do you like the look of shutters alone?