4 Easy Steps To Closing Your Energy Efficient Shutters This Winter Season, Austin, TX!

December 29, 2015

Each winter season, residents in Austin are searching for things to do to maximize the energy efficiency of their homes. There’s more to it than covering your windows with any window treatment. Maximizing energy efficiency starts with the right window treatments. Not just any window treatments…shutters!

When closed completely, energy efficient window shutters maintain the house at an agreeable temperature. Here are 4 easy steps to closing Polywood® plantation shutters for maximum energy efficiency this winter, Austin, TX!

Maximum Energy Efficiency Starts With The Right Shutters In Austin

Window treatments such as blinds, shades, and curtains are made from substances that are not good insulators. The materials are usually porous. And they leave some space around the edge of the material that lets in air during the winter. Plantation shutters are the most energy efficient window treatment money can buy in Austin, TX. This is in large part thanks to frame that seals each corner of the window and the rigid material that shutter parts are made of.

Polywood plantation shutters are fashioned with a frame that seals off the sides of the window. They’re constructed from a solid polymer, with exclusive weatherstripping. Together, this means Polywood shutters insulate 70% better than an equivalent solid wood shutter. And they minimize airflow by up to 30%. That’s why they’re the most energy efficient shutters.

Steps To Closing Your Shutters For The Most Energy Efficiency This Winter

1. Close The Panels:

In case the shutter panels are open on either side of the window, simply swing them to cover the window pane. This will create another barrier to the much colder temperatures of Austin winters.

2. Interlock The Weatherstripping

Interlocking The Weatherstripping On Your Energy Efficient Shutters

While shutting the shutters, don’t forget to interlock the weatherstripping. It’s an exclusive item only available on Polywood shutters from Sunburst Shutters Austin. The weatherstripping is strategically placed on the vertical sides of the panels where they meet in the center of your window. Double check that the weatherstripping material interlocks to seal off air and light.

3. Close The Louvers

Closing the louvers on plantation shutters

Most plantation shutters feature a front mounted tilt rod. Push the tilt rod inward and upward to tilt the shutter louvers up. When the louvers are tilted, the plantation shutters are entirely closed. Now, the louvers block light and air, thanks to the way Polywood louvers are made.

For rear mount tilt rods, just move one of the louvers up and the rest of the louvers will follow.

4. Push the tilt rod into the mousehole

Pushing the tilt rod into the mousehole of plantation shutters for energy efficiency

Once all the louvers are tilted upward, push the tilt rod into the mousehole-shaped notch in the shutter frame. This guarantees the louvers are shut all the way. With the louvers completely vertical, the shutters can block more temperature and light.

Watch this video for a demonstration of how to close your Polywood shutters for the most energy efficiency.

Contact Your Local Specialist About Energy Efficient Shutters In Austin, TX

Do you have any questions on how to use your plantation shutters for maximum energy efficiency? Need to buy energy efficient window shutters in Austin, TX? Our specialists have the answers to all your questions and walk you through picking energy efficient shutters. Contact us at 512-549-6077 or fill out the form below to schedule a free in-home design consultation today!

Back to Blog