Creative and Energy-Efficient Baltimore Window Treatments

Baltimore residents don’t have to put up with poor energy efficiency and high electricity bills anymore. According to a recent article that appeared in The Washington Times (as reported by Michele Lerner), homeowners can install Baltimore window treatments to improve their home’s energy efficiency. This measure will prevent heat loss during winters and unwanted heat gain during summers via windows and glass doors.

Cynics might ask, “Are windows really the source of the problem?” It turns out that they are, as windows account for about 40 percent of unwanted heat gain and 10 percent of unwanted heat loss in indoor environments. While the selection of appropriate window treatments can radically reduce utility bills, experts say that replacing inefficient windows with energy-efficient ones, or simply reinforcing their caulking can seal off air leaks and moisture, which in turn helps HVAC systems operate more optimally.

While energy-efficient replacement windows are a relatively pricey investment, they’re worth every penny in the long run, as they will not only help homeowners reduce their utility bills, but can also improve the homes’ resale value and aesthetic appeal. Homeowners are advised to look for the highest performing windows they can afford and compare their U-values. For homeowners who cannot afford to have their windows replaced, experts suggest locking windows to keep out drafts, caulking windows every year or two, and experimenting with different window treatments.

Fortunately, homeowners can choose from a variety of window treatments, like blinds, shades, and shutters. Naturally, these options will differ from each other in terms of thermal performance, aesthetic appeal, and transparency. Hence, getting help from professionals, like the window technicians of Beltway Blinds, is always advisable.

These contractors will help you select the most appropriate window treatments for your home, ensuring that you stay cool during Baltimore’s warm springs and autumns, and stay warm during the city’s chilly winters. One of the most popular choices among homeowners is Hunter Douglas’ honeycomb shades. Honeycomb shades are available in both vertical and horizontal pleats, and come in a wide variety of fabric types, colors, and shapes.

Homeowners can also consider plantation shutters as their window treatments. Some contractors offer louvered plantation shutters which can be combined with draperies to provide enhanced energy efficiency; these are available in natural wood and wood composite varieties. Each plantation shutter can be customized in size to fit over the windows perfectly, and they can also be painted in different colors or stained to match the decor of your interiors.

Aside from improving your home’s energy efficiency, creative window treatments can also enliven your home’s interiors. Of course, since not every homeowner has a keen eye for aesthetic detail, you can always rely on your window technician’s expert judgment. Get the right window treatments in Baltimore today, and make your house a more beautiful, vibrant, yet energy-efficient place to live in.