Energy Efficiency

News & Blog

The honeycomb structure of cellular shades.
No one likes shelling out hard-earned cash (or credit) to the power companies — not even their shareholders. But did you know that a simple change in your window treatments can make a big difference? Energy-efficient window treatments spruce up your space and slash those hefty power bills. According to...
A shattered glass window in a building.

Laminated windows have two or more layers of glass bonded with a durable interlayer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) resin.

This construction creates a sandwich-like structure that makes laminated windows significantly stronger and more secure than standard single-pane windows.

A living room with white shutters and a coffee table.
Window shutters date back thousands of years. Shutters protected the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans from the elements, regulated light and airflow, and provided privacy and security. Mediterranean cultures greatly influenced their design and use. The traditional shutters of Italy, Spain, and France have fixed louvers angled to let in...
A man with sunburned skin lifting up his shirt sleeve.
In the Mediterranean climate of Southern California, the sun is a blessing and a curse. We count our blessings from November to May, but in September, we may be cursing the misery of another protracted summer. Summer sun can be brutal in Los Angeles, with each year seemingly reaching new...
Two men are putting tint on a window.
Every adult Los Angeleno knows what it’s like to drive into a blinding late afternoon sun. Frightening. Frustrating. Extremely unpleasant. That same glare can invade your home if you have large picture windows, an open western or southern exposure, or live in an area with lots of reflective surfaces, such...
Sun-protective glass in an office building
SunScreen solar screening has dramatically reduced cooling costs for the Wachovia Building, an 11-story office building in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Building Manager Bill Highsmith said energy costs have been cut by approximately $3,000 per month since SunScreen was installed in mid-1990. In addition to saving energy, the 800 charcoal SunScreens...