Are shutters good for insulation?

As we creep into the hot summer months approaching (or already here, for some of us!) It becomes increasingly important to have a window covering that will insulate your home.

We often get asked “are plantation shutters good for insulation?”, and the answer is a definite yes! Plantation shutters are the most insulating window treatment and just happen to look elegant and polished at the same time.

Do Shutters Help with Insulation?

Rooms with windows that get direct sunlight during the day can get unbearably hot even with the A/C running, which can make it hard to get comfortable and get a good night's sleep.

Even with the curtains or blinds closed, though you may have shade, you will still feel the heat from outside.

The same is true in the winter months – hold your hand up to your curtains, blinds, or shades, and you will still feel the chilling cold from outside.

Plantation shutters create an insulating barrier between your windows and your home's interior, helping you maintain your desired room temperature.

The Shutter Store's shutters are the best shutters for insulation, as we use only 100% solid materials. Hollow or composite shutters will not give you the same performance as our 100% solid hardwood shutters, or solid vinyl shutters with aluminum core.

Do Window Shutters Insulate Better in a Certain Style?

Full height shutters or Raised Panel shutters will give you the most protection from outdoor temperatures.

Café style leaves the upper portion of your window uncovered, but if you are looking for temperature control, full height will completely cover the window and give you the most insulation value when the slats are closed.

Tier on tier style shutters also cover your full window, but generally they are designed so that you can keep your top tier open. While they do still insulate well when all panels are closed, there is a slight 1/8” gap between the top and bottom tier preventing the shutters from offering as much insulation as a full height shutter would.

Solid raised panels are made of solid wood, similar to a cabinet door, and they have no moving slats. This ensures you have complete coverage of the window at all times, along with maximum reduction in temperature fluctuation, light bleed, and noise from outside.

Plantation Shutters' Insulation Value

Adding insulation to your windows with shutters is not only beneficial for your comfort. It is also money-saving, as it limits how much your heating and cooling system needs to run throughout the year.

Using less heating and cooling lowers your energy bills and reduces your home's environmental impact!

Wooden shutters and polyvinyl shutters both offer great insulation value. R-value is a measurement that refers to a material's ability to resist heat. While polyvinyl has a slightly higher R-value than wood, the difference is minor, and given the thickness and quality of our shutter panels and frames, you will get the same insulating benefits from either material.

In terms of the slat size you choose, larger slats will be spaced further apart and let more light into the room when they are opened. However, when the slats are closed, they are designed to overlap tightly and close flat in the upward direction. This gives you maximum light blockage, privacy, and insulation regardless of the slat size.

Still Need a Hand?

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