It’s confession time. As much as I love to plan and stay organized, sometimes I also take little shortcuts along the way. One shortcut I’m a bit ashamed to admit is this: Since we moved into our home nine months ago, my husband and I have been using a towel for a curtain in the master bedroom. Yes, a towel. I have to say, it does a great job blocking the sunlight, and we have it rigged to stay put quite well, even on windy nights, with the window open. However, at the end of the day, it is still a towel. It is about time that we graduate to an actual window treatment.
Choosing a window treatment is about more than colors and style. If you’re in the market for some new or replacement treatments, consider these things first:
• The room. Dress your windows for the occasion. If you often watch television in your family room and need to cut down on the glare from outside, you may want to opt for heavy drapes.
• The kitchen. You may want more natural light and privacy, so shades of woven materials work best. They’ll let daylight in without letting passers-by see straight into your home.
• The window. How often do you open that window to let in a cross-breeze? If it’s often, consider a window treatment that can easily go up or down or across to let the breeze in. If you rely on the window for natural light, you may want to consider sheer options that will offer privacy without making the room too dark. Also consider built-in window treatments, such as enclosed blinds. They sit between windowpanes, so they are protected from dust.
• The temperature. Some window treatments, such as awnings, can actually reduce solar heat-gain by up to 65 percent on south-facing windows and 77 percent on west-facing windows, according to energy.gov. Both interior and exterior blinds can also help, especially if they incorporate reflective material.
Have a comment or question for Joanne? Email thefixisinhawaii@gmail.com.