White and beige living room with white polywood shutters above a white couch.

The R-Value Of Window Treatments And Shutters In Seattle

June 23, 2022

Energy conservation should be a large want for your window treatments in Seattle. With the wrong choice, your windows could have unacceptable heat loss, which can lead to larger energy costs. To find the best energy-efficient window treatments, you will have to see their R-values.

But which window treatments get the highest R-value in Seattle?

What’s A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Seattle?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your house that contributes to insulation -- from drywall to your windows -- is assigned an R-value. That number lets you know how well an item stops thermal energy from traveling through it. A bigger R-value tells you that the item is a better insulator.

But why care about a window treatment’s R-value in Seattle? Well, because windows are one of the most prevalent areas of heat loss in your house. If you need to trap in the warm air during wintertime or keep your rooms cooler in the warm times, you will need a window treatment with greater insulation. A window covering with a big R-value lets you keep your rooms at your preferred setting.

Window Treatment R-value Chart

Every window treatment is not created with the same care, and therefore different window treatments have different r-values. Though there can be a bit of variation with the material and quality between different makes and models, the following chart shows what you’re probably to see when comparing window coverings.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Only glass	0.75 - 1
Aluminum blinds	1.5 - 2
Shades	2.5
Drapes	2 - 3
Hardwood Shutters	3 - 4
Cellular Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

Source: R-values from Energy.gov and HouseLogic.

Keep in mind, the higher the R-value number the more efficient the window treatment. No surprise that mini-blinds, which use thin aluminum, offer almost no protection when compared to a more substantial covering, like Polywood plantation shutters. That insurmountable difference in R-value can be seen in a distinction of several degrees – enough to feel an influence on whether you change the thermostat and waste money or not.

What Raises A Window Covering’s R-Value In Seattle?

Light gray cellular shades inside a white and rustic styled living room.

Two variables affect a window covering's R-value: build and substance. First, treatments that have lots of paths for heat to escape won’t own a effective R-value. For example, curtains and blinds don’t firmly cover the window, letting hot air to escape around the bottom and sides of the covering itself. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-made snuggly around the window pane, which traps heat against the window when the louvers are shut.

Then what the covering is constructed with can also bring a significant bump in R-value. Take honeycomb shades, which are made with several engineered layers of fabric that create “cells” to trap air. As a result, they will hinder air loss more effectively than treatments like roller shades. Likewise, Polywood plantation shutters, made from a solid faux wood material, can repel heat loss more than natural wood shutters. Polywood shutters also employs weatherstripping, which results in a snug seal on your window when the louvers are completely shut.

Increase Your Home's R-value In Seattle

Does it seem like your home could be a bit cozier? How about installing quality faux-wood shutters to increase your windows’ R-value? Contact us today by dialing 360-464-2277 or submit the form below to book a free in-home consultation.

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