For a city like Cincinnati, with four distinct seasons that include cold winters and hot, humid summers, the decision of the type of blinds to use must be based on both aesthetics and functionality.

In this article, we will share a practical guide that will help homeowners in Cincinnati to pick the right window treatment that incorporates a respect for the local architecture and style, is energy efficient and ensures that the home is comfortable in all the seasons of the year. Meanwhile, you can check out this site for some fun facts about Cincinnati.

Major Factors to Consider When Choosing Window Treatment for Cincinnati Homes

The following are very important factors to consider when shopping for curtain/blinds for your windows:-

Match the Treatment to the Climate

Cincinnati, like we noted earlier, has hot, humid summers and cold winters; averaging as high as 80°F in summer and as low as 20 -30°F in winter. This seasonal swing makes insulation for heat retention and solar control for heat reduction very important considerations in the decision making process.   

Consider the Architectural Style

There are many architectural styles in this region; these range from Greek and Federal Revival to mid-century, bungalow and Tudor homes. So you cannot pick any treatment without considering the style. For example, if your home is a historic row or Victorian home with tall, narrow windows, your best bet is in tailored, layered blinds such as Roman shades with decorative drapery. For a contemporary or mid-century home, you should be thinking of motorized roller shades or minimalist window treatments.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency

With the right curtains or blinds, you can reduce your HVAC cost by enhancing your home/window insulation and blocking out the sun when necessary.  There are state and city programs that provide incentives for energy efficiency and also federal tax credits for some types of window upgrades. So, think of a combination of aesthetics and energy efficiency in any product or window upgrade. And look out for eligibility for those programs and tax credits before making a choice.

Best Types of Window Treatment for Cincinnati

We have stated the 3 factors that are very important to bear in mind while making a choice. Let’s go further to discuss window treatment in Cincinnati and the best types. This list is in no way exhaustive as you may find an unconventional option that still ticks all the right boxes.

Cellular Shades

These are also known as honeycomb blinds and they are functional for all seasons. They have air-trapping cells that constitute insulating layers that keep heat in during winter and out in summer. This is best for older single-pane windows that are most common with historic homes in the city.

Thermal/Blackout Curtains

These are thick lined curtains that are perfect for living rooms and bedrooms especially because of their insulation and light control features.  These curtains are best mounted high with the rods extending beyond the window frames to facilitate the reduction of air gaps.

Exterior and Interior Plantation Shutters

These fit into the architectural style of Georgian, Federal and Colonial homes and give the home an aesthetic curb appeal. They also add extra barriers against drafts when they are closed.

Roller Shades with Solar Fabrics

These are ideal for mid-century/modern homes as their low-glare screens help to protect the interior of the home from the sun/UV and reduce the energy needed for cooling while keeping the view intact.

Layered Solutions

This refers to the combination of 2 or more treatments for insulation, style and flexible light control. For example, you can combine the solar roller with the lined drape or lightweight curtain with cellular shade

Practical Tips for Cincinnati Homeowners

The following are some practical tips that will help every homeowner in the region:-

1.      Prioritize South- and West-Facing Windows– This is because they get the highest amount of sun in summer.  Reflective blinds or solar shades are the most cost effective for these windows. 

2.       Insulate in winter – It is best to use heavy lined draperies or cellular shades for North-facing windows to help reduce drafts and heat loss.  Click here for tips on how to insulate your home in winter.

3.      Consider Resistance to Humidity and Mildew– Choose fabrics and liners that are moisture-resistant because the humidity in the region can promote mold growth. Ensure that you clean or wash the drapes seasonally.

4.      Look out for UV Protection – Art, fabrics and hardwood fade with prolonged exposure to the sun. UV blocking liners and solar screens can help preserve the interiors.

5.      Ensure Careful Measurement – It is recommended that you measure the height and width of the window at three points, which is the top, middle and bottom ad use the smallest measurement fir the inside mount fittings.

Conclusion

Window treatments should not just be about aesthetics and that is why we have shared this guide on how to get the best draperies and blinds in Cincinnati. One rule of thumb to always bear in mind is that the best treatment must always combine aesthetics with performance/functionality. 

Photo: RLH Studio

Did you know that natural light is the most important feature most families look for when buying a new home? According to a recent research, more than one-quarter of total people looking for a family home chose “natural light” as the must-have characteristic.

Natural light is a great way to make your home feel lighter, brighter and ultimately more comfortable. The more your rooms are illuminated, the more they will look and feel airy and more spacious. On the other hand, if your corridors and rooms suffer from a lack of a natural light they will look gloomy and unpleasant.

There are many useful tricks to maximize the light levels in your home without using electrical lamps and artificial lights. It’s not so hard to improve your internal ambiance – here are a few tips.

1.  Remove Window Obstructions

Although curtains may look fancy or stylish, window coverings can block light from entering windows. Lighter drapes or smaller curtains can help increase the light. However, there are many other objects that could reduce the illumination in surprising ways. For example, a wardrobe placed beside a window can limit the amount of light that comes from the sides, while a high hedge or a tree in your backyard can block light from entering.

Photo: Home Restoration & General Contracting

2.  Switch Your Traditional Windows With Bay Windows

If your room is particularly dark because all the windows are facing north, you should consider bay windows to replace traditional ones. Bay windows are composed of a center windows flanked by two double-hung windows on each side that allow the light to enter from two additional directions. You will be surprised at finding out how much more light this type of window can let into your room!

3.  Add a Skylight in the Roof

A skylight is a great way to let much more daylight illuminate your spaces naturally. Skylights and lantern skylights are quite costly, but they can be placed on many types of roofs and can save you a good amount of money in electric lighting in due time. If you got the money, you can even fully glaze your roof to massively increase the amount of lights that gets in the house. Be careful, however. Too much glass can cause a greenhouse effect, making your room freezing cold during winter and melting hot during summer.

4.  Install Glass Doors

If you have a backyard or a garden, a glass exterior door can increase the amount of light that gets in certain rooms. Just by adding a frosted glass panel to your front door you can illuminate even the darkest and gloomiest hallway. Many frosted glass panels are reinforced to resist damage and can effectively prevent burglary just like (if not better than) any other wooden panel. You can even think about replacing an entire wall with a patio door to flood your room with light.

5.  Use Taller Glass Doors & Windows

The actual height of your doors and windows matter a lot in determining how much light they can capture. If your doors and windows are glazed to a low height, the room will look small, dark and gloomy. If the light comes from a higher angle, it will look more intense and brighter, so just switch them for full-height glasses. This way, you will dramatically increase the amount of light that will get inside the room.

6.  Switch Your Paint to Lighter and Brighter Colors

Just by introducing some lighter colors to your walls and floor you can make your rooms look and feel much brighter. Remove all that old wallpaper and dark colored trim, and substitute them with softer shades of white and blue. Lighter colors will reflect the natural light that enters the room, while darker colors will absorb it making your room feel darker. If you want to go one step beyond, you can create the illusion of space and height by painting the ceiling a couple of shades lighter than the walls.

7.  Use Glossy, Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces such as metals and mirrors will reflect sunlight and illuminate a room. A good tip is to place a large mirror opposite to a window to reflect all the direct light that enters the room. Always add accessories and furniture with reflective surfaces such as glossy paints and chrome steel fixtures to help diffuse light. Polished ceramic tiles and laminated wooden floors can also serve this purpose excellently. They will also look modern and stylish.

8.  Install a Sun Tunnel

Roof lights and glazed roofs may be too costly for most people with a limited budget, but sun tunnels are cheaper and practical alternative. These clever architectural elements are literally “holes” in your roof that funnel light directly from the outside through a reflective pipe precisely designed for this purpose. They can be installed quite quickly, and could bring to your house all the natural sunshine that you need. The only downside is that you can’t really see the sky because their peculiar structure makes them opaque.

Conclusion

If you want to make your home brighter, you can always wire in some extra lights. Still, nothing can add the warm and pleasant light brought by a ray of natural sunshine. Just follow our tips, and enjoy taking a sunbath every morning in your house.

What are some other ways that you can think of to let more light into your house? Leave us a comment with your illuminating tips in the section below.