How to Save Energy with Window Shutters in San Diego

Window World of San Diego has different types of window shutters available. Our raised-panel, louvered, and board and batten shutters are durable and come in a range of custom sizes and colors. But there’s another perk to installing window shutters in San Diego—they can contribute to improved energy efficiency. It turns out shutters are not just for aesthetics.

Installing window shutters can help increase comfort and lower your utility bills any time of the year. We’ll explain how to use your interior and exterior shutters to see the benefits.

Saving Energy with Interior Shutters

Mounted on interior window frames, interior shutters can be closed to add privacy. Opening and closing them also lets you control the amount of light that enters your home. This is beneficial because:

• Closing shutters on eastern- or western-facing windows (in the morning and evening) prevents sunlight from heating your home while your AC is trying to cool it.

• Shutters block ultraviolet (UV) rays from getting into your home that warm conditioned spaces and can fade paint, carpets, and furniture.

• In cooler weather, opening shutters allows you to leverage the sun’s warmth to reduce the demand on your heating system.

Saving Energy with Exterior Shutters

Exterior shutters are among the most insulating window treatments. Durable materials resist the elements and provide weather protection for your windows. They also decrease heat loss and heat gain to improve energy efficiency throughout the year. Similar to interior shutters, you can close them to keep the heat of the sun out or open them to let the warming sun’s rays in. Exterior shutters fit directly onto window frames and also provide an additional layer of security.

Other Energy-Saving Tips for Using Window Shutters

When choosing shutters for your home, it’s not only about style and color. Think about R-value, which measures how well a material prevents heat from passing through it. Better insulating materials have a higher R-value. Typically, window shutters have an R-value of 3 to 6 (by comparison, blinds usually have an R-value of 1 or 2). Therefore, if you’ve installed energy-efficient windows, window shutters can contribute even greater efficiency and savings.

You can also select shutters based on their material type. Depending on what they’re made of, window shutters can attain different levels of energy efficiency. Common material options include:

• Wood: Natural wood isn’t the most insulating material, but air pockets within the wood do add some insulating value. Wood is respected for its strength and durability. It can tolerate sun exposure and maintain its integrity over time.

• Faux Wood: Vinyl is durable and insulating while a wooden core improves stability. This is a good option for installations involving larger windows; insulating value is reduced at larger widths, but faux wood is low maintenance.

• Composite: A solid fiberboard core coated with hard polypropylene yields a strong construction. Composite shutters are less insulating in larger configurations, but the options for sizing and layout provide many design possibilities.

To improve the insulating value of window shutters, you can seal gaps in window frames with caulking or weatherstripping. Non-square windows can be insulated as well. While they may have larger gaps, wood shims or furring strips can be added for extra insulation. They can also be painted to match the shutters installed.

Therefore, you have numerous options for saving energy when you install window shutters.

Order Energy-Efficient Window Shutters in San Diego Today

Window World of San Diego provides several different types and styles of window shutters. Our raised-panel shutters for Colonial-style homes are available with transom top and arch top options. Cottage and Traditional styles of our universally appealing louvered shutters are available. We also offer board and batten shutters for early-American-style buildings in opened and closed configurations and with three or four panels. All our window shutters are available in a wide range of colors.
For help selecting energy-efficient windows, doors, siding, and window shutters in San Diego, get a free quote online or call 760-230-8909 today.