We still have a long way to go before summer’s dog days arrive, but many of us are already thinking of ways to stay cool. From stylish swimming pools to smart ceiling fans, there are several ways to relax when Jersey’s relentless heat and humidity hit. But one other way to ensure the inside of your home doesn’t feel like an oven is to check your windows and insulation.
Just as the pink foam installed behind walls keeps your home warm during winter, properly insulated windows are key to preventing hot air from invading cool spaces during summer. “While your A/C unit setting is important, the temperature in your home greatly depends on the quality of your insulation and the state of the sealant around your windows and doors,” according to the folks at Window World of Jersey Coast in Edison. But before you call the pros to check the windows at your home, there are a few measures Window World says you can take care of yourself:
Install cellular shades
Tired of traditional horizontal shades? Consider installing cellular window shades, whose honeycomb shape traps hot and cold air rather than allowing it to pass into the room. They’re available in a variety of colors and styles, so you can select the ones that match your décor. Attractive and energy efficient—that’s a win-win in our book.
Hang blackout blinds
Sheer drapes may add to the aesthetic of your room, but blackout blinds will do the trick when you want to keep the sun’s hot rays out. Thicker and heavier than typical blinds, these are designed to block out all light entirely while adding a layer of insulation over windows. While most are dark in color, there are ones made in brighter hues as well as models with a reflective side that will deflect sunlight.
Add weatherstripping
This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to insulate your windows. Simply add these strips—available in various materials like foam and felt—to the gaps around windows. Once in place (some fit snugly into the gaps, others might require adhesive), the strips can prevent cool air from escaping and hot air from entering…and vice versa during winter.
Apply window film
Remember as a kid when you tried to use a magnifying glass to start a fire? Science says glass focuses light and creates heat—and windows work the same way. But when a laminated plastic film is applied to the glass, it can reflect much of the sun’s energy and heat away from the house. Bonus: Window film can also block UV rays, which cause fading to furniture, rugs, curtains and more.
Determine your windows’ energy efficiency
Check your windows to determine if they’re single- or double-paned. The latter, also known as double-glazed windows, provide the most insulation (and energy efficiency) all year round thanks to the insulating agent between the two layers of glass. The insulating agent, oftentimes argon gas, and the interior windowpane add thermal resistance—meaning the outside temperatures will have less impact on what’s happening inside. Unless you’re a skilled window installer, adding double-paned windows to your home will likely require a professional.
For more home design and maintenance tips, check out the summer issue of NJ Home, out now.