Which Window Coverings Are The Most Energy-Efficient?
Categorised in: Shades and Blinds, Energy Efficiency
Jul 14, 2022
Saving money on heating and cooling bills is quickly helped by choosing energy-efficient window coverings. Much of your heat escapes through windows, so cover your windows with the best energy-efficient blinds and drapes. You’ll feel the difference in your room and your thicker pocketbook.
All shades and window coverings sold in Canada are now cord-free.
How do energy-efficient window coverings work?
New windows and doors and sufficiently insulated attics and walls are the very best way to reduce your energy bills during the summer and winter.
However, even if you have new windows and doors, closing window coverings against the sun’s heat will reduce the need for air conditioning. Likewise, closing a drape or blind during the winter will preserve the interior temperature.
An energy-efficient window covering:
- Isolates cool or warm air at the edges of the window.
- Prevents interior glare and harsh sunlight.
- When open, allows sunlight to naturally warm a room.
- Lowers heating and cooling costs.
Duette® and similar honeycomb/cell shades are the best energy-efficient shade.
You can find Hunter Douglas Duette®’s honeycomb shade with the specialized honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb construction and layered Architella® fabric at Covers Designer’s Edge throughout Southwestern Ontario. Find your store.

The Hunter Douglas Duette®, Applause®, and Sonnette® shades have received Attachments Energy Rating Council (AERC) certification in the U.S., the primary home of their manufacture.
Pleat size and cell layers add more air-capturing and energy efficiency.
Covers Designer’s Edge carries several energy-efficient shades.
- Larger pleat sizes capture more air, providing higher energy efficiency.
- A larger pleat suits a larger window style.
Layers isolate air; therefore, a layered cell will provide more energy efficiency. Ask us about more layered styles and optional upgrades.
Inside-mount cellular shade:
- An inside-mount cellular shade is the most popular mount. It is measured to fit close to the inside edge of your window.
- During the winter, it provides excellent insulative qualities.
- During the summertime, a snug-fitting inside-mount cellular shade pulled down against the sun means your air conditioning (AC) works less to cool down your room.
Outside-mount cellular shade:
- An outside-mount cellular shade is used when your window doesn’t have enough window depth for the header of the cellular shade.
- An outside-mount creates a look of a larger window opening if mounted beyond the width and height of the window opening. This slows air transference.
- A slight gap at the edges is needed for smooth operation. However, the air-capturing cells will still warm the winter air within it and slow air transference.
- Your shade can be mounted above (on the wall) or on your window trim.
Is an outside-mount or an inside-mount cellular shade more energy-efficient?
Your cellular/honeycomb shade provides the highest energy efficiency whether inside or outside mount; different benefits of each mounting style slow the transference of air of an inefficient window, offsetting any need to choose between an inside or outside mount, other than for aesthetic reasons.
- An outside-mounted shade extends beyond the window’s frame for air transference control.
- An inside-mounted shade sits very close to a window frame’s edges, top, and bottom.
Any window covering whose structure provides pockets or layers of fabrics that isolate air that can be temperately neutralized will save energy and stop the transference of cold or hot air.
- Hands down, cellular or sometimes known as honeycomb shades, are the best energy-efficient window covering.
- Insulated or lined drapes provide similar benefits; see below.
- The soft look of a cellular shade is pleasant and clean, with a slight dimensional quality that gives a textural lift to a contemporary styled room.
Are there other ways to slow air transference at a window’s edge?
- You can add motorization and automation to your window covering, scheduling your shades to open and close at crucial times of the day, thereby creating more significant energy savings. See our motorization page.
- Covers Designer’s Edge carries beautiful, high-end, differently designed shades that isolate air transference.
- Drapes with linings provide similar benefits and historically are known as the first defence against cold, drafty rooms of the 1600-the 1800s.
- Natural fabrics have more dimension to their threads, increasing their air-capturing qualities.
Drapery for energy efficiency and beauty:
- Custom drapery is chic and looks great with a contemporary or traditional home. It’s all in the way it hangs and the fabric you choose.
- A lined drape makes a world of difference in energy savings.
- A thermal lining adds greater savings toward your heating and cooling bills.
- Combine a shade, blind, or shutter with drapery for layered style and energy savings.
Shutters for energy efficiency and beauty:
- By design, shutters fit closely to a window frame and can be completely shut to cold winter air or the sun’s heat or slanted to control the amount of light (and heat) entering a room.
- Choose from wood composite, wood, or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC.)
We are always available for a home visit to help match your energy-saving needs to your home’s aesthetic. Talk with any of our decorating transformation specialists. (See our locations below) Get inspired!