Window shades and blinds seem to go against the grain of natural thinking. Firstly, they’re usually made from non-organic materials and secondly they exhibit that the homeowner has taken little thought for their garden planning. A few well-located deciduous trees or vines and shade on your windows will be your last concern.
For instance, our main bedroom faces west where we get all the afternoon sun in the warmer months that could turn the room into a sauna. Instead, we planted a trio of silver birches that act as natural window shades during the summer yet allow warmth into the room in winter. And, the best part is that they require very little maintenance – if any at all.
There are very few situations where a deciduous tree or creeper couldn’t help shade your windows. Even in an apartment an overhanging trellis could easily accomodate a creeper that offers relief during summer.
Window shades can be quite expensive, especially if the most of your windows are facing east or west. On the other hand, the alternative option – planting and growing a deciduous tree to offer shade can cost as little as $50 (maybe less) per window – that’s some very cheap window shades. The ongoing maintenance off your window shades is also another concern and can be quite time-consuming. Compare that with raking a few leaves and the odds are certainly stacking up in the non-evergreen’s corner.
Bamboo window shades
For those who don’t have room outside their windows to plant trees or vines, the next best option is selecting blinds that come from organic sources. Many shades are constructed from aluminium or non-renewable hardwood timbers adding to the environmental woes.
However, there are some smart operators that now offer bamboo window shades constructed entirely from renewable, organic bamboo. They’re tough enough to last as long as hardwood timbers and still light enough to give aluminium a run for its money.
Hunter Douglas window shades are one company that not only offers bamboo as an option but also create reed, grass and natural replaceable woods. But, they’re not the only ones. Many are now moving away from materials that can’t be accessed organically and along with their fabric blinds offer consumers more choice in keeping their homes environmentally friendly.
Honeycomb window shades
Honeycomb window shades are another organic blind for a very different reason. They take the natural honeycomb shape and apply it to their window shades which offers a vast reduction in energy loss from the window itself. Also known as cell window shades, these blinds offer a hexagonal core flute that reduces the loss of warmth in the home and keeps it cool in winter.
This is a novel idea as it mimics natural ideas offering incredible results.
