The temperature of your home is influenced by many different factors. One of the largest of those factors is direct sunlight. Sunlight can heat up rooms quickly, which can be a problem during the warmer months. While many homeowners love having large windows for the natural light that they provide, that can come with the tradeoff of losing temperature control for your home. And the money you might have saved by keeping your lights off during the day will quickly offset if you need to run your air conditioner. Luckily, blinds can help restore temperature control to your home by decreasing the heat that enters your home. Here is a quick guide to picking the right blinds for your home.
Sunscreen Blinds get their name from their unique design. These blinds are built around reducing glare and blocking UV rays while maintaining an outside view. They are semi-transparent and appear as if they are looking through a fine mesh. They can be thought of as similar to wearing sunglasses. While they do provide a tint, they do not obscure your view. This way, homeowners can continue to enjoy natural light while not sacrificing temperature control in their homes.
On the other side of the spectrum are blackout curtains. Blackout curtains get their name from their ability to block out temperature and general light. They are often recommended for private rooms like bedrooms. Many hotels have blackout curtains because they can help jet-lagged people sleep at odd hours of the day by eliminating any sunlight that might come through the windows.
Another great option for homeowners is to use outdoor folding arm awnings, which can help reduce heat from entering the home. By blocking overhead rays from the sun, they allow natural light to get in through the window without the direct sunlight and heat. They are often ideal for outdoor spaces like porches, patios, or decks.
Roman blinds have a thermal lining. While the shades appear to be thin, the internal lining is designed to decrease the transference of heat and temperature into your home. Roman blinds look like classic blinds while helping decrease the heat from direct sunlight.