HOT PROPERTY

This advertising supplement is produced by the L.A. Times B2B Publishing team. This did not involve the editorial staff of the L.A. Times.

WINDOW COVERINGS FOR THE WINTER MONTHS

While

a cold snap is rare in Southern California, they do happen, and one of the quickest ways to lose heat in a home is through the windows.

Proper window maintenance, like weatherstripping and alignment, can also go a long way towards heat retention, but why not maximize your warmth and minimize costs in the process?

Here are a couple of options to maximize your interior heat when the temperature drops.

Curtains: It may seem elementary, but using thicker fabric curtains can go far to retain heat, while also beautifying your home. Curtains act like a blanket for the windows, keeping cold air from entering the home. Another tip is to utilize “summer” and “winter” curtains: lighter, translucent fabrics for when you want to maximize light, and thicker curtains for a cozy winter feeling.

Honeycomb Shades: Also known as cellular shades, these modern-style window coverings, which resemble the familiar Venetian blind with a fabric covering, actually create pockets of air separating the window from the home. The advantage is this keeps in warm air and blocks colder air, which works in an opposite, but still advantageous way in summer. Plus, they’re a beautiful addition to a home, as they can let in lots of light that is tinted by the fabric color.

Wooden Shutters: Speaking of beauty, what’s more elegant in a classic room than a handsome wooden shutter? The style is timeless and the woodgrain creates a rustic-yet-elevated look. These wooden shades can also save you a lot on heating costs, as their total coverage of the glass pane insulates the room.

Keep in mind that these treatments tend to be a bit pricier and also need more room to fully open the window when it gets warmer.

Roman Blinds: An inexpensive and easy-to-install option, a roman blind, which consists of a simple sheet of fabric elevated by a pulley system, is the quickest to install (or deinstall) during a brief cold snap. Since the blind tends to sit outside the pane of the window, you can hang it over existing window treatments, like blinds or shutters, and it provides a similar insulating effect to a curtain.

Combination Treatments: In a location like Southern California, where temperatures can be warm and cool within the course of a week or so, a combination of treatments can be the best option. Combining a blind that lets in light, for example, with tied-back curtains can offer a gorgeous framing effect to a large window with the option to close it up if the weather gets chilly. Slider systems with hanging fabric panels are another option, so you can regulate the temperature year round, regardless of what’s happening outdoors.

Honeycomb shades use an ingenious air pocket to create a barrier against the outside cold.

Photo by Maridav/Adobe Stock