Texan summers are known to be brutal and the soaring energy bills are unavoidable if one wants to beat the heat. There are many naturally cooling alternatives for the house with suitable window treatments that can help keep the Texan homes cooler. Though you may still have to run the air conditioning, at least you will have to use it for shorter periods. Blinds, shades, and shutters are popular choices for window treatment in the state.
Summer effects on the house
Summers don’t just make the rooms hot, but they are also the period when the sun rays are the strongest and the direct sunlight piercing through the windows is not good for the interiors. It can cause the carpets to fade and the furniture to age faster. If you like to decorate your house with natural indoor plants and flowers, you must be more careful because the harsh sunlight can cause the flowers to wilt and plants to dry.
It is important to filter the sunlight that enters the house even during other seasons to cut out the harmful UV rays. Here are 5 easy solutions for Texan summers with these choices of shades shutters and blinds for window treatment.
1. Basswood blinds
Horizontal or vertical blinds made with basswood come in natural and stained wood finishes. They have very strong light filtering characteristics. By adjusting the individual slats to the right degree, the amount of light filtering into the room can be controlled. You can layer this window treatment with drapes for additional cover. If the windows are large, such as bay windows or French windows, then you can alternate between basswood blinds and shutters or fabric shades to give complete coverage to the room.
2. Combi Shades
Combi shades combine the functionalities and features of shades shutters and blinds. Combi shade is available in a wide variety of fabrics and colors, so depending on whether the room is east/ north facing, or south/ west facing, one can choose to add the UV filter layer to the shades. They offer the comfort and convenience of opening and shutting the blinds and complete window covering of the shades. Hence, they are ideal for blocking out the summer heat and harsh light from the room.
3. Triple shades
Triple shades are a bridge between Venetian blinds and curtains with their unique design and fabric slats that are suspended between two sheer fabric facings. They offer complete coverage for the window and better natural light and interior temperature control. When you close the inter-layered fabric vanes, they merge to create a solid block of color, offering privacy and protection from the harsh summer temperatures. As they are essentially shades, you can choose from a variety of materials that are better equipped for covering the window and blocking out the outside heat and light.
4. Plantation Broadleaf Shutters
Broadleaf shutters are made from faux wood and the material is designed to block out harmful UV rays and the outside heat. They are an elegant solution for window treatment in regions that experience extreme weather conditions. You can install them singly or layer them with roman shades of natural fiber weave for additional cover, especially on hot days. Broadleaf shutters can be customized to fit window and door frames of any size or shape, and they are easy to maintain.
5. Solar Shades
As it is apparent from the name, solar shades provide complete protection from the sun. they are made using sun control fabric and suited for blocking out intense heat and sun glare. Depending on the level of sun-blocking you are aiming for, you can choose fabrics such as blackout fabric, Ecovision screen fabric, solar screen, or decorative opaque fabric. Solar shades are economical, easy to maintain, and durable.
Natural protection from external weather conditions is not only economically feasible but also ecologically viable. The modern alternatives for window treatment offer a sustainable solution and they look elegant as window dressings. They are an investment because most window coverings last for a decade or more with regular care and maintenance. You can choose to layer multiple window treatments or use any single alternative depending on the weather intensity in your area.
