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

The R-Value Of Shutters And Other Window Treatments In Minneapolis

June 23, 2022

Energy efficiency should be a large want for your window treatments in Minneapolis. With the wrong covering, you have a higher chance of heat loss through your windows, which may lead to bigger heating and cooling bills. To discover the best energy-efficient window treatments, you need to see their R-values.

But which window treatments own the best R-value in Minneapolis?

What Is A Window Treatment’s R-Value in Minneapolis?

White polywood shutters in a white bedroom.

Everything in your residence that contributes to insulation -- from siding to windows -- has an R-value. That rating lets you know how well an item stops thermal energy from traveling through it. A larger R-value and the object is a more effective insulator.

But why should you worry about a window treatment’s R-value in Minneapolis? Well, because windows are one of the most common areas of heat loss in the house. If you want to keep in the heat during wintertime or keep your house cooler in warmer weather, you will need a window treatment with good insulation. A window treatment with a large R-value allows you to keep your home at your preferred setting.

Window Treatment R-value Table

Every window treatment is not built with the same care, and therefore different window treatments have different r-values. Though there might be a bit of variation with the building material and craftsmanship between companies and models, below is what you’re probably to see when looking at different window treatments.

Window Covering	Average R-Value
Bare window	0.75 - 1
Mini-blinds	1.5 - 2
Shades	2.5
Drapes	2 - 3
Real wood Shutters	3 - 4
Cellular Shades	4.5
Polywood® Plantation Shutters	>6

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

Keep in mind, the larger the R-value the more efficient the window treatment. It shouldn’t be a shock that mini-blinds, usually made of inefficient aluminum, offer almost no insulation when put up against a more weighty product, like Polywood shutters. That big difference in R-value can result in a distinction of several degrees – enough to make an impact on if you crank up the temperature and make your energy bills rise.

What Contributes To A Window Treatment’s R-Value In Minneapolis?

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

A couple of factors affect a window covering's R-value: construction and substance. To start with, products that have multiple ways for heat to escape won’t have a large R-value. For example, curtains and blinds just hang there, allowing air to flow around the sides of the covering itself. On the other hand, interior shutters are custom-made around the window opening, keeping air against the window when the louvers are completely shut.

Add that with the materials the product is made out of can also bring a big bump in R-value. Take honeycomb shades, which are made with precisely positioned layers of fabric designed to trap hot air. As a result, they can hinder temperature disbursement more effectively than treatments like roller shades. Likewise, our Polywood interior shutters, made from a solid faux wood polymer, can repel heat more than hard wood shutters. Polywood shutters also has seamless weatherstripping, which creates a tight seal sound your windows when the louvers are shut.

Improve Your Window’s R-value In Minneapolis

Does it feel like your house could be a tad bit more comfortable? How about installing quality faux-wood shutters to increase your R-value? Contact us at Sunburst Shutters Minneapolis by dialing 952-856-8130 or submitting the form below to book a no-cost in-home consultation.

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