Window Covering Answers

Cornices as a way to stop drafts One of the ways to eliminate heat from exiting through the window is to use a decorative cornice. Sitting at the top of a window it can be a solid barrier to heat that rises. Usually cornices are expensive or easily outdated. The following video shows a versatile and easy to make cornice that you can use and update many times. What a treat! This video link below shows how easy this product is to make. It seems very innovative to me.  Sometimes just having a simple kit to follow makes all the difference. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyHpYbkMxOs http://www.youtube.com/watch? http://www.youtube.com/watch?

File this under CHEAP and EASY!         http://vertigodesignevolution.blogspot.ca/2008/10/great-idea-diy-vinyl-shade-decals.html     In my search on the Net to find easy and inexpensive (thrifty) ways to improve your window coverings I realized that one of the best ways to stop heat from leaving through the windows is to install an inexpensive roller blind. Not only do inexpensive vinyl roller shades block heat transfer at the window fairly effectively, they are a wonderful canvas for whatever you might want to create! Of course choosing to install this shade as an outside mount, instead of inside the trim or recessed, adds an additional advantage to overall draft blocking. To do this effectively you want to make your vinyl shade cloth portion exactly the same width as the outside measurement of the window trim. Or even wider. But let's not get caught up in these details. Just remember that an inside vinyl shade tends to curl at its...

Sites that offer energy saving tips for window coverings. In an effort to reduce energy costs at the window you might find that insulated curtains do a better job than most blinds.  Except for cellular blinds which offer an R-value of between 2.5 to 5, curtains offer greater savings.  Part of this is due to the tight weave, the vinyl backing, and also because curtains tend to have air pockets within the folds of fabric. http://www.dantehill.com/drapery-panels/images/prepared-drapery-panels.jpg Adding a sheer or voile at the window increases dead air between the window and the curtain, plus the cold then travels down the sheer to the floor instead of directly from the cold pane of glass into the room. Yes. I know sheers are not as popular as they once were in the fashion world, but there are beautiful and modern designs that will give you both privacy during the day and added insulation during the dark nights.   http://www.woodyattcurtains.com...

Garbage Warrior Continued Not that long ago I posted a short link about The Garbage Warrior and radical architect, Mike Reynolds.  His innovative approach to building energy efficient homes is worth studying and perhaps emulating. We are all on this particular earthship and so many of us, need better housing. Housing that doesn't use up so many resources, housing that creates its own energy. Housing that leads to better solutions for the future, when there are so many more of us. Here is the full length documentary courtesy of youtube.  Enjoy and share: