You most likely know some simple methods on how to be eco-friendly at home. You probably recycle, conserve water, and turn off unused lights, and reduce the usage of heating and air conditioning systems. These are excellent ways of being environmentally friendly at home, but you can still take it to the next level. You can make use of eco-friendly home improvement design ideas to make your home greener. For instance, you can start by using sustainable window coverings which is an excellent way to preserve natural resources.
Window treatments are a necessity for every home. It does not only enhance the artistic quality of a home, but it also provides practical purposes. With the big move towards sustainable and eco-friendly homes, eco-friendly window treatments are now increasingly popular. These eco-friendly window treatments help reduce the energy you use to cool or heat your home. This isn’t only beneficial for the environment, but it also helps you save more money in the long run. In addition, sustainable window treatments are also constructed using green products which means that the drapes, blinds, and curtains, are made with non-polluting materials. If you want to use eco-friendly window coverings, here are some tips that will help you have a greener and more sustainable home.
Eco Friendly Materials
If you want to have a window treatment that is environmentally friendly, you have to choose the right materials. Window treatments that use synthetic materials are non-environmentally friendly since it gives off harmful fumes that are unhealthy for the environment. These synthetic materials may include paints, wood stains, and vinyl products. If you use window treatments with such materials, it will eventually release toxic gases into your home; thus, your indoor air quality will be affected.
What you need to look for in an eco-friendly window treatment are natural materials, such as cotton, wool, silk, linen, bamboo, and other natural fibers. There are also window shades that are made from organic materials that can help reduce air and water pollution. Take for example when you are choosing a wooden blind or shutter. There are some wooden window blinds and shutters that use wood from slow-growing trees. Once these trees are cut down, it takes years for it to re-grow. An eco-friendly alternative is to use sustainable wooden blinds, such as bamboo blinds. Bamboo grows quickly and it doesn’t require any chemical fertilizations.
Energy Efficient Window Coverings
Eco-friendly window coverings can also help you save energy; thus, reducing your energy consumption and costs. Saving energy is not only good for your bank account but it is very beneficial for the environment. Window coverings can help lower energy consumption by providing thermal protection. There are certain window coverings, such as solar shades, that can help prevent heat gain during the summer months; while there are some that can provide insulation which results to the prevention of heat loss during the winter. In addition, window treatments can also provide a way to control light. With this feature, you don’t have to rely on artificial lighting throughout the day.
GreenGuard Certification
Eco-friendly window treatments with GreenGuard certifications have the benefit of improving indoor air quality. GreenGuard certification refers to the effect of the product towards indoor air quality. Window treatments with such certification had been tested for chemical emissions, and are deemed acceptable by the GreenGuard Environmental Institute (GEI). To ensure that your window treatments are eco-friendly, you have to look for the GreenGuard certification.
In addition to enjoying sustainable and greener home environment, using eco-friendly window treatments can also enhance the look and ambiance of any space in your home. These types of window treatments are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, textures, and patterns. This means that you don’t have to compromise sustainability and efficiency just to get the window treatment you want.
Citations:
- Plage Vinilos y Decoración. “Plage Colección My Wall”. August 20, 2007. Online Image. Flickr. Oct. 09, 2012
Kris Lim is a blogger who provides tips on how to create a sustainable and energy-efficient home environment. She also contributes her ideas and advice to companies that manufacture and sell eco-friendly blinds in Arlington.