Energy Efficiency
News & Blog
Who let the draft in?
Maybe it’s that pesky north-facing window that just won’t keep out the cold.
Rather than weathering the winter in a Snuggy, you may want to consider upgrading your window treatments.
Some minimalist homes can feel sterile and industrial, almost like prison cells, but in the hands of a talented designer, they have a serene, zen-like simplicity. A clunky, gaudy, or thoughtless window treatment ruins that aesthetic. The treatments you choose are as critical to the aesthetics of your contemporary living...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...