As the summer heat intensifies, some may think the simple solution to climate change is to turn on the air conditioner. Others are looking for “eco-cool” ways to feel cool at home while also looking stylish, as part of the Planetary Solutions movement.
Curtains offer a potentially stylish way to reduce heat in homes without air conditioning.
Keeping the drapes closed during the hottest part of the day, then opening the drapes and windows to get in the cool night air can lower the temperature inside. Screens keep insects out, and frame-mounted screw locks provide security for cracked windows at night.
In the past, companies specialized in specific types of curtains. Now, with decorating trends and product lines changing almost as fast as clothing fashions, most businesses sell all types of products.
So Ken Hill, owner of 805 Shutters in the Santa Rosa Valley near Camarillo, and Lani Terry, a design consultant at Drapery Affair in Ventura, both agree that neither shutters Neither are curtains much appreciated for their insulating properties. Both point to the progress made in “honeycomb design,” or “honeycomb” shades.
These sunglasses consist of pockets that hold air. Fabric linings, often used for blackout purposes, add extra insulation but make the curtains less practical for daytime use. Without a liner, the covering blocks heat while allowing plenty of sunlight for added sun-kissed fun. Some qualify for federal tax credits, so ask your local dealer for incentives.
To block out bright lights near my home at night, and to improve insulation, my cellular shade also comes with a separate blackout shade on rollers mounted in parallel. When I want cool night breezes to come into my home, I leave it with the bottom open and the second floor windows open.
Shutters can be installed in vertical or horizontal openings and can be lowered or raised in a variety of ways. The blinds can also be motorized. However, Hill warns: “The more moving parts there are, the greater the potential for damage.”
Hill, who sells Norman brand shades, and Terry, who sells HunterDouglas, both stress the importance of good warranties and say these companies best demonstrate the longevity of their products through solid warranties.
A common problem with curtains is tangled and misaligned wires, which can be easily fixed if the product has a reset function. Some blinds can be fully extended and pulled firmly away from the window to allow the wires to realign.
Drapes often depend on the smooth running of cords that run through a mechanism called a “motor,” even in products that don’t use a motor. This motor occasionally seizes, so lubrication is helpful. Hill recommends a silicone-based spray, noting that other sprays, like WD-40, can attract dirt and grime.
Consult your local dealer before attempting more complicated repairs. Certain actions may void the warranty or exacerbate problems. Please also consult your dealer or product website for cleaning guidelines.
Curtains are more insulating than drapes, but the thick lining blocks light rather than filters it. Curtains also get dusty. Due to the delicate structure, pleated structures should not be cleaned at home, Terry said. “Pleats can lose their shape,” she says. Terry recommends using a local cleaner who’s experienced in drapes.
Traditional wooden shutters can warp from moisture. “If you live near the beach, there’s enough moisture in the air to cause plantation shutters to expand and contract,” says Terry. The resulting deformation can prevent the wooden shutters from closing tightly.
“As long as you look at where the light comes in through the closed shutters, that’s where the air comes in,” says Terry, pointing out why wooden shutters, especially older ones, lack good insulation.
Vinyl shutters or wood-like composites of plastic and wood may not be great solutions from an eco-friendly material standpoint, but they also have environmental benefits. They are extremely durable by resisting warping, peeling and cracking for many years and save energy by closing tightly continuously. Shutters often also offer motorized functionality, useful for hard-to-reach windows.
David Goldstein, Environmental Resources Analyst, Ventura County Department of Public Works, can be reached at 805-658-4312 or david.goldstein@ventura.org.