Taylor Wadsworth • Austin Window Fashions • Since 1981. Premier locally owned source for high quality blinds and shades from Hunter Douglas and factory direct, furniture-quality plantation shutters.
AustinWindowFashions.com • 512-256-8110
The term heat transfer is what makes certain areas of your home warmer than others, especially during the summer. Covering your windows is a good start to preventing this, but not all window coverings are created equal. There are a variety of options that will give you the flexibility you’d like throughout the summer months and the protection you need. Enjoy a summer morning with a little sunshine, and when it gets too warm, block the rays with treatments. Sounds simple enough, right? There are three types of heat transfer that can negatively affect the comfort level of your home. Here are the basics of heat gain and transfer to help you prevent them.
Radiation: Heat that is not felt in the air, but on a surface, is radiant heat. When a surface heats up indoors there is no place for the hot air to go, so it warms your home.
Convection: Convection is moving air. This type of heat transfer will bring heat to a cool window on a hot day, and carry heat away on a cool day. Because interior air has less movement than outside, it can seem stuffy on warm days. Proper insulation will provide a barrier to keep interior temps from being affected.
Conduction: This method is the transfer of heat through a solid object. Think about how a window heats up from the sun on a hot day, and then transfers that heat inside. To keep your home cool, insulation is important in this scenario too. Stop the heat before it comes inside.
How to Prevent Heat Gain
To avoid heat gain, and keep your home cool this summer, you’ll need insulation, AKA window coverings. Heat gain is the direct result of heat transfer, and homeowners must take the proper measures. You’ll need to create a barrier between exterior and interior air temps to avoid co-mingling. Window shades can block the sun and reduce radiant heat, too!
A Star in Energy Efficient Shades
An industry favorite for energy efficient shades are the Honeycombs. Their unique cellular structure, with air pocket technology, creates a barrier that traps air, reducing the effects of heat transfer in your home. This way, extreme temperatures stay outside where they belong.
Another favorite? Sonnette Cellular Roller Shades, which work similarly with the cellular air-pocket concept, but add a roller shade operating feature. These shades help block out unwanted heat, but roll out of the way when not in use.
Plantation Shutters work well in reducing air flow and act as a barrier against harsh sunlight. When they are slightly opened, light can enter, but they can be adjusted to avoid direct contact with surfaces — so no heat transfer.
By learning the basics of heat gain and heat transfer, you now have the knowledge to make the best choices for the window treatments in your home. Window coverings will improve the look of your home, but the effect they have on comfort is incredible.