One easy way to save energy is by installing blinds or shades in your home. Did you know that you could lose up to 30% of your home's energy through your windows? As much as the natural light streaming through our windows brightens up our lives, the heat and cold that comes along with it can sometimes be overwhelming.
Blinds can reduce heat gain by 45% for a significant increase in energy performance. Energy efficiency isn't the only consideration, though —curtains can offer better soundproofing than blinds, as well as add an elegant, luxurious feel to your home's décor.
During this research, one company found that drawing your blinds in the evening can reduce heat loss by as much as 14%. And, if you decided to pair your blinds with curtains, you could further reduce this by an additional 17%. So yes, closing blinds really does help you to save energy!
While window treatments can help to add value to your home, there are some cases when the opposite holds true. If the blinds or shutters are outdated or in disrepair, that may end up lowering the value. Likewise, inexpensive plastic blinds purchased at hardware or home goods stores won't add anything to your home.
On the other hand, blinds will need to be cleaned more often. In addition, blinds are less efficient at keeping in the heat. The window blind slats can easily get damaged, especially if you choose aluminium or plastic blinds. Blind cords can be a hazard around young children.
People wanting a healthy night's sleep should ALWAYS close the curtains or blinds and switch off the bedroom light, according to a new study.
Designers consider window shades and blinds essential for many reasons. But there are so many options — how do you choose the right ones? Most windows need a little help from window coverings to manage light levels or provide privacy. But sometimes it's just about making them look their best.
Age could bring down a home's value, especially if the home needs work. Buying a fixer-upper can translate to all kinds of additional costs. There are cosmetic concerns such as an outdated kitchen or a less-than-modern floor plan, and then there are functional issues like problems with the home's roof or plumbing.
'From a best practice point of view, we recommend opening blinds at night on west and north-west facing windows to help with nighttime cooling and closing the blinds during the day on east and south-east facing windows to help create a cool refuge from the sun. '
First of all, a burglar will usually only break into places that have sure treasures. So closing your blinds or curtains will prevent this exact information from being known, which cuts the chance of your place being burglarized in ha half.
Window blinds—vertical (Venetian blinds) or horizontal slat-type (louvered-type)—are effective at reducing summer heat gain and reducing glare, while providing good daylight indoors.
CONS: -Can be difficult to clean: Because they are installed on the window, blackout blinds can be more difficult to clean. -May not provide as much insulation: Blackout blinds may not provide as much insulation as blackout curtains.
It's also important to note that closing blinds or shades can have other benefits besides reducing heat. They can also provide privacy, reduce glare, and protect furniture and flooring from fading due to UV rays.
The answer is 'yes', certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted thermal blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Some of these factors are out of your control, such as market conditions, interest rates, and the economy, while others are very much in your control. From unappealing renovations to neglecting maintenance on your home, some projects, or lack thereof, can negatively impact your property value.
If you haven't renovated your home in the past 30 years or so, it won't show well when you put it on the market. In other words, it won't get the same price as a similar home that's been maintained and updated.
Supply and demand
Simply put, as the housing supply decreases or as demand rises, creating an inventory shortage, home values go up. A real estate inventory shortage means that there are fewer sellers than there are buyers.
While some homeowners would prefer this, others may enjoy the bustle of a busier street. A cul-de-sac home may also come with a higher price due to the benefits of seclusion and a sometimes bigger yard. Be sure to take this into account when assessing your budget for a new home.
A house is far more durable than a car and does not out of date every few years for 10% of its purchase price you can renovate a house and get 25–30 years value from those renovations.
From my experience over the last 30 years in general blinds do work out cheaper than curtains. Blinds do work out cheaper for several reasons, firstly there is a lot more fabric used to make a pair of curtains compared to say a roller blind.
They were mainly used to block out the cold and were constructed of wood or fabric. With new fabrics and patterns, window coverings have become more adaptable and simple to use. Window blinds are a common option for many homeowners today because of the variety of designs and hues available.
"Blinds offer the most light control with a variety of tilting options. Blinds or shades can be paired with drapery to enhance windows in any part of the home." While each type of window treatment has its own unique set of characteristics, all of them can be used to transform any room.