Shutters
Shutters are very common in Europe and in the Middle East and can provide significant insulation properties to the windows to reduce energy losses in the house.
In the US shutters are mostly decorative elements and are often installed interiorly which reduces its potential for energy conservation.
There are different types of shutters, yet the most convenient ones are the rolling shutters as they allow rolling the shutter up and down, manually or electrically, without the need to open the window.
Advantage of rolling shutters:
- Reducing energy losses
- Weather protection
- Security protection
- Added privacy - act as blinds
- Can be used as an adjustable shading device to protect from direct sun when needed and allow it otherwise.
- Added ventilation - rolling shutters have small slits which allows, when windows are kept open, the wind and some light to penetrate but prevent direct sun to heat the room.
Rolling shutters can be purchased in the US, online, through StormShutters. A 60"x60" window size manual shutter will cost about $1100.
The company orovides more information about the benewfits of shutters through this link
- Yael's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Shutters Increase R-value
The materials (wood, metal, etc.) in a shutter offer insulation; but when a shutter is closed (such as on a winter's night), the still air trapped between the shutter and the window will act as an insulating blanket, as well.
A closed shutter will have an effective value of R-18; compare this to the window by itself, which typically has an R-value of R-2 or less.
This improved insulation means that the home will be much warmer, especially on the coldest wintertime nights. It will make the house less expensive to heat, as well.