Selecting the perfect windows plays a massive role in keeping your home cozy and comfortable no matter what weather or season. As much as keeping the heat during cold winter months is essential, room cooling in the summertime should be a priority.While cranking up your air conditioning every time sounds tempting, paying for soaring energy bills simply isn't practical. In this article, we give recommendations for the best windows that promote air circulation and ventilation plus valuable tips on maximizing their effectiveness, especially when it's scorching hot outside.Let's delve right in!
Top Windows Styles for Room Cooling
Windows are a surefire way to encourage healthy air circulation and natural ventilation into your home. However, not every type of window can do the job. Below are our favourite window styles for room cooling.
Double-Hung Windows
Double-hung windows have two sashes that move up and down. They are smart space-saving solutions if a room can only fit a small to a medium-sized window. It also delivers superior ventilation by partially opening both of its sashes to create two openings. To get the most room cooling effect, you can also install additional awning windows on top of your double-hung windows.Aside from better air circulation and improving indoor air quality, it's also a clever strategy that would increase natural light in your home that will instantly accentuate your interiors.
Casement Windows
Casement windows feature a mechanism that opens and closes on a hinge. It has a single sash and a crank located in the corner that you can use to fully open the window to let refreshing air into the room. Casement type windows can also be shut tightly to control drafts effectively.They are your best bet for all-year-round windows. Their vast openings are suitable for large and central areas of your home, like the living room that requires a big inlet and outlet for room cooling benefits. If you are concerned about leaves and insects getting into your home, casement windows can also be installed with screens.
Bow Windows
If a room only has one exterior wall to accommodate a window, go for either bay windows or bow windows for the ultimate drama. They both make stunning focal points and a lovely way to showcase your garden or city's impressive views. But if you're after natural room cooling without air conditioning in the summer, we say go for bow windows. The beauty of this window style is that they can be composed of either six casement style windows or double-hung windows, significantly boosting airflow inside the house.
Block The Sun with These Window Treatments
We love how windows can usher in a flood of sunlight during the daytime. But in summer months, it can get intensely bright and hot, making the room extremely uncomfortable. For shade and room cooling benefits, we highly recommend these elegant window treatments.
Shutters
If you are willing to make a bigger investment, installing shutters for your exterior windows are also worth considering. Despite their steep cost, shutters have the most rewarding room cooling benefit of all window treatment options. They not only block solar heat gain but also give you privacy and protection from the storm and potential danger. When they are partially raised, they let a bit of air and natural light creep through the blinds' slats.Shutters can be custom-made to match your home's aesthetic. They are on the list of home improvement projects that can boost your property's resale value.
Curtains and Drapes
According to Energy.Gov, studies show that medium-coloured draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gains by 33%. They also come in various prints and styles, which you can take advantage of if you like decorating your home and giving it a bit of personality.
Awnings
Window awnings are roof-like structures installed on exterior windows to block the sun's heat and glare. It can reduce solar heat gain in the summer months by up to 65% for south-facing windows and 77% for west-facing windows. The only downside to awnings is that it tends to increase heating consumption during wintertime.
Window Films
Window film is another notable option if you want to maximize your window's room cooling benefit. It effectively blocks solar heat gain and prevents glare from coming through and harmful ultraviolet light exposure. Unlike other window treatments, window films do not take away the picturesque views of your surroundings. Since they dodge the sun's heating, which you want during winter, this window treatment idea is only suitable for homes in a place where the cooling season is longer.
Put Plants Near Your Windows
Based on NASA's Earth Science Study, plants can change the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere when they go through their natural food making process called photosynthesis. Forest canopies are an excellent example of this. They create large amounts of transpiration that boosts water vapour in the atmosphere, resulting in higher chances of rain and promotes cooling by blocking the sun.Many experts believe that we can apply transpiration and take advantage of plants for their room cooling benefits in our own homes. When it's hot, the plants release excess water in the air through their leaves to cool themselves and their surroundings. Put these plants near your windows or in your window sills.
- Fiddle Leaf Fig
- Areca Palm Tree
- Snake Plant
- Aloe Vera Plant
- Pothos Plant varieties
- Ferns
Clera Windows
Clera Windows + Doors is the leading provider of premium quality windows in Canada. We have casement windows, double-hung windows, bow windows, and a whole array of other window designs that can also be customized for homeowners who want to enhance their home's room cooling capabilities in the summer.For more detailed information or to request a free home estimate, please contact us today!
