The Durham, NC summertime heat can be brutal. Though we are blessed with the modern miracles of central air conditioning and window air conditioners, most homeowners know that running the AC all day, all summer can be very expensive. Luckily, there is another solution. You can use different kinds of window blinds on your Durham, NC home to stay cool and comfortable all summer long.

Windows are really just holes in your walls that let in the sun’s powerful UV rays, heating your rooms in the worst way. To protect yourself and your home from the sun, you can install window blinds, shades, and other kinds of window coverings. In fact, the US Department of Energy released a report stating that the right window coverings, like the following list, can reduce heat gain in a room by up to 77 percent.

• Blinds – According to the US Department of Energy, reflective blinds can reduce heat gain in a room by 45% if they remain completely closed. Blinds are a great summer solution as their horizontal slats allow them to be adjusted for varying amounts of light and ventilation, or to be completely closed for optimal heat reduction. A great trick is to adjust the slats on your blinds to reflect light onto a lightly colored ceiling, allowing light to be reflected into the room without causing too much glare or extra heat.
• Window Films – It’s easy to tint the windows on your home to reflect heat back outside where it belongs. Reflective window films are easy to find at almost any hardware store, or online, and are super simple to install. The downside is that reflective window films can impair your visibility and can be tough to keep clean.
• Window Shades – Properly installed shades offer another easy solution to save money while keeping your home cool and comfortable. Shades should be closed all day to be most effective, and also need to be installed as close to the window glass as possible to create a seal against light and heat. Check out different kinds of shades for various applications. For example, Roman shades help insulate the room with their different fibrous layers. You can even find reversible shades with a light colored side to reflect sun during the summer and a dark side to absorb heat in the winter.

These tips aren’t just good for the summer. You can also use window blinds, tints and shades to help keep your home warm in the winter without spending too much on your heating bills. Window blinds are for much more than decoration. With these tips, you can beat the summer heat and save a few bucks on your energy bill. Not too mention, blinds are better for the environment than cranking the AC.

If you want to learn more about how useful blinds can be, or are interested in getting Durham, NC window blinds for your home, just reach out to Kiwi Designs, Fine Blinds & Shutters. You can visit us at 1785 NW Maynard Rd Cary, NC 27513, or give us a call at (919) 380-0898.