Insulated window coverings

[John Raabe]

Glass technology has gotten considerably better over the last 25 years. Windows have increase their efficiency faster than any other part of a house. We now get dual-glazed low-E windows as standard from many window manufacturers.

If you want the very best windows available you can order "SuperWindows" (http://www.southwall.com/products/superglass.html) with an R-value approaching that of a well insulated wall!  

However, if you are trying to build inexpensively using such things as the details I've developed for standard double glazed sliding glass door panels (http://www.jshow.com/y2k/listings/35.html), or you live in an older home (perhaps with single glazing) and want to control heatloss during winter nights, then you will want to consider insulated window coverings.

These can be very effective and if home-made, relatively inexpensive. Here are some options:

• Honeycomb cellular shades are a popular manufactured product and can be motorized - http://www.blinds.com/control/subCategory/categoryID,13

• Here is a 1983 article on making your own thermal shades - http://www.motherearthnews.com/top_articles/1983_November_December/The_Homemade_Thermal_Shade

• Here is a link to a supplier of quilted batting - http://www.warmcompany.com/qmpage.html

• And here is their heat reflective batting "Insul-Bright" (thanks Amanada) - http://www.warmcompany.com/ibpage.html

• Window Quilts from Rocky Mountain Solar - http://www.rockymtsolar.com/windowquilts.htm

[Amanda_931]

Nice to have those links.

Warm and Natural also has a product with mylar inside it "Insul~Bright", which they are recommending for things like tea cozies or pot holders (with an extra layer of cotton batting), but which might both give you a very dark and well as insulated room.  But you'd want something on the window side that you don't have to worry about fading with, e.g. a fabric designed as a drapery liner, and a decorative inside (the room) fabric.

[John Raabe]

Good suggestion! I added it to the above links.