Window Treatments That Will Keep Your Home Cool This Summer | When selling your home, it is imperative to keep things inside and out looking their best. If you are trying to sell your home during the summer months, it can be tricky keeping the place at a pleasant temperature and attractive at the same time. It's even more difficult to keep your home stylish and cool without breaking the bank in the process.
Aside from having ceiling fans or air conditioning units throughout the house, you can also make your space more comfortable by focusing on the windows. There are window treatments available in a range of prices that can significantly reduce the amount of heat that gets trapped in your home, and can lower your energy bills in the process.
Solar shades are attractive looking from the outside, and don't block your view from the inside. Available in several colors, solar screens are becoming a popular option among homeowners whose windows face the full glare of the sun. Installed on the outside of your home, these shades block the sun's rays from entering the house, which makes them one of the most effective heat-reducing window treatments on the market.
Solar screens also prevent the sun's UV rays from coming into the home, which protects your furniture from sun damage and fading. In addition, solar screens also have the added benefit of keeping insects out of your home, which is a great feature during the summer months.
The downside to solar shades is the fact that they can be expensive to have fitted and installed. However, when properly installed, solar screens provide an excellent option for cooling your home, increasing privacy, and giving your windows a sleek, uniform appearance.
If you can't afford to get solar screens, one option is to purchase window tinting film. These films can reduce glare and drastically cut down on the heat that enters your home. With just a few simple tools, tinting your home's windows can be an easy Saturday job that will make your home much more inviting in the summertime.
One thing to keep in mind with tinting is that some window manufacturers will void their warranty if you apply any kind of coating to their products. So if you are concerned about your warranty, it is best to go with a different solution. Window films can also be frustrating to apply alone, so be sure to find an eager assistant before you start the job.
White vinyl roller shades are the next best alternative to window tinting and solar shades. The light color reflects much of the sun's rays, and keeps rooms cooler than regular blinds and drapes. Because these shades are installed on the inside of the home, some heat can get trapped between the shade and the window, but the amount of heat that impacts the rest of the room is fairly negligible.
Vinyl shades are not the best option if you like to let light in during the day, but they are excellent for keeping bedrooms dark and cozy.
Standard blinds and drapes that are light colored will help keep things cooler, but they are not nearly as effective at heat reduction as the other window treatments mentioned. If you keep your windows covered and closed up during the day, you will prevent some heat from getting inside. Open windows and all interior doors at night to let fresh air circulate, and trap it inside first thing in the morning.
When trying to sell your home in the summer, you want the house to be comfortable and welcoming, but not filled with noisy box fans or swamp coolers. If you start with the right window treatment, you can make your home cool even without fans and air conditioners, which will not only make the summer heat easier to deal with, but will make your energy bills easier to deal with as well.
By:Carolyn Capalbo
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