Summer in Iowa can bring soaring temperatures, high humidity, and intense sun that can make your home feel like a sauna. If you want to stay cool and comfortable throughout the season, it’s essential to choose the right window coverings. The best summer window coverings not only keep the heat out but also help maintain your home’s energy efficiency, so you can enjoy the warm months without worrying about skyrocketing utility bills. At Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa, we specialize in providing top-quality blinds, shades, shutters, and more to help homeowners in Iowa City, Davenport, Bettendorf, the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, North Liberty, Tiffin, and surrounding areas keep their homes cool and stylish.
In this post, we will explore the best summer window coverings available, their benefits, and how they can help you stay cool during the hot Iowa summers.
Why Summer Window Coverings Matter in Iowa
As temperatures rise in the summer, the heat from the sun can easily enter your home through windows. This can lead to uncomfortable indoor temperatures and increased air conditioning usage, driving up your energy costs. The best summer window coverings work by blocking or diffusing sunlight and heat, keeping your home cooler and more energy-efficient.
In addition to providing comfort, the right window coverings can also protect your furniture, flooring, and other interior elements from sun damage. UV rays can cause fading and deterioration over time, so choosing window coverings that offer UV protection is essential for maintaining the beauty of your home.
1. Cellular Shades: The Best Insulation for Summer
Cellular shades are one of the most effective window coverings for keeping your home cool in the summer. Their honeycomb structure traps air within the cells, creating an insulating barrier that prevents heat from entering your home. This insulation helps keep indoor temperatures comfortable, even during the hottest days.
Cellular shades are available in a variety of fabrics, including light-filtering and blackout options, allowing you to customize the amount of light and heat you want to let in. For those in Iowa, where temperatures can fluctuate, these shades offer year-round benefits by helping with both heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Energy efficiency: Cellular shades can reduce heat gain by up to 50%.
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Variety of styles: Choose from pleated, single-cell, or double-cell designs to suit your needs.
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Light control: Select between light-filtering or blackout options to maintain comfort.
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Durable and easy to maintain: Cellular shades are low-maintenance and long-lasting.
2. Roller Shades: Simple and Effective
Roller shades are a popular choice for homeowners looking for an affordable, low-maintenance option for summer. Made from a variety of materials, including solar fabrics, roller shades can block a significant amount of sunlight while still allowing you to enjoy the outdoors. Solar roller shades, in particular, are designed to reduce heat and glare while maintaining visibility to the outside.
The sleek, minimalistic design of roller shades makes them a great choice for modern homes in the Iowa area, where homeowners appreciate clean lines and simple solutions. Roller shades can be customized with different levels of opacity, so you can choose the perfect balance of light control and privacy.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Affordable and versatile: Available in a wide range of fabrics and styles.
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UV protection: Solar fabrics help block harmful UV rays while allowing light to filter through.
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Space-saving design: Roller shades can be mounted inside or outside the window frame, saving space.
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Ease of use: Motorized options are available for added convenience.
3. Exterior Shades and Awnings: Blocking Heat Before It Reaches the Window
One of the most effective ways to keep your home cool in the summer is by blocking the sun’s rays before they even reach your windows. Exterior shades and awnings are designed to be installed on the outside of your home, providing a barrier between your windows and the sun. These coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 80%, making them one of the best summer window coverings for those hot Iowa days.
Exterior shades and awnings also offer the added benefit of protecting your furniture and flooring from sun damage. By reducing the amount of heat and UV rays that enter your home, these coverings help preserve the integrity of your interior decor.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Highly effective heat reduction: Block up to 80% of solar heat before it enters your home.
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Durable materials: Designed to withstand the elements, making them perfect for outdoor use.
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UV protection: Helps prevent sun damage to your furniture and flooring.
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Customizable: Available in various sizes and styles to suit your home’s needs.
4. Shutters: Classic and Functional
If you’re looking for a classic, stylish solution to beat the summer heat, shutters are a great option. Available in both wood and faux wood options, shutters offer excellent insulation and light control. When properly closed, they form a barrier that helps keep the hot air outside and cool air inside. Their adjustable louvers allow you to control the amount of light and air circulation in the room.
Wooden shutters have the added benefit of being aesthetically pleasing and complementing a variety of interior design styles, from traditional to contemporary. They’re a great choice for homeowners in Iowa City and Davenport, where maintaining a charming home aesthetic is just as important as staying cool.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Effective insulation: Wooden shutters help reduce heat transfer and improve indoor comfort.
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Stylish design: Adds a timeless, elegant look to any room.
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Light control: Adjustable louvers let you customize light levels.
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Durable: Both wood and faux wood options are built to last.
5. Draperies: Adding Style and Shade
Draperies are a versatile and stylish option for homeowners who want to add both fashion and function to their windows. While they may not provide as much insulation as cellular shades, heavy drapes can block a significant amount of sunlight, helping to cool down your home during the summer months. To maximize their effectiveness, choose draperies made from thermal fabrics, which can add an extra layer of insulation to your windows.
Draperies also offer a variety of design options, allowing you to choose colors, patterns, and textures that complement your home’s decor. Whether you prefer a more traditional look or something more modern, draperies can help achieve the perfect balance of style and function.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Customizable: Choose from a wide range of fabrics, colors, and patterns.
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Thermal options: Thermal-lined drapes can improve energy efficiency and block out heat.
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Elegant appearance: Adds a luxurious touch to your rooms.
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Light control: Can be drawn to provide shade or opened to let in natural light.
6. Motorized Blinds and Shades: Convenient and Cool
For ultimate convenience and efficiency, motorized blinds and shades are a game-changer. These automated window coverings can be programmed to adjust throughout the day, allowing you to keep your home cool without lifting a finger. With motorized options, you can set timers to lower your shades in the morning when the sun is hottest and raise them in the evening when temperatures drop.
Motorized window coverings are perfect for homeowners in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids areas who want to maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient home with minimal effort. Many motorized options are also compatible with smart home systems, allowing you to control your shades using your smartphone or voice commands.
Why They’re the Best Summer Window Coverings:
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Automation: Schedule blinds to open and close automatically based on the time of day.
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Convenience: Control your shades with a remote, smartphone, or voice commands.
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Improved energy efficiency: Automatically adjust shades to block heat at peak times.
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Stylish: Available in various designs and fabrics to match your decor.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best summer window coverings for your home in Iowa, it’s important to consider both functionality and style. Whether you choose cellular shades for their energy efficiency, exterior shades to block heat before it enters your home, or motorized blinds for added convenience, the right window coverings can make a significant difference in keeping your home cool and comfortable throughout the hot summer months.
At Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa, we offer a wide variety of window treatments to suit every home and every need. From blinds and shades to shutters and draperies, we have the perfect solution for your home. Contact us at 563-726-8040 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about the best summer window coverings for your home.
Stay cool this summer and keep your home looking stylish with the best summer window coverings from Made in the Shade – Eastern Iowa!
