Best Window Treatments for Oklahoma's Extreme Weather
What You'll Learn in This Article:
- ✓ Which window treatments handle Oklahoma's extreme heat, cold, and UV damage
- ✓ How much energy you can actually save with the right shades and blinds
- ✓ Which windows matter most for your energy bills and comfort
Call Edna today at 405-259-5599
to discuss energy-efficient window treatments for your home.
Why Oklahoma Weather Demands Different Window Treatments
Oklahoma isn't just hot or just cold - it's both, often in the same month. You need window treatments that can handle:
- • Summer Heat: Direct sun can raise indoor temps by 10-20 degrees, making your AC run constantly
- • Winter Cold: Single-pane windows leak heat like crazy during ice storms and cold snaps
- • UV Damage: Oklahoma's intense sun fades furniture, floors, and artwork faster than you'd think
Most standard window treatments work fine in mild climates, but Oklahoma's extremes demand better performance. That's where Graber® and Norman® energy-efficient options really shine.
Best Window Treatment Options for Oklahoma
Here's what actually works when you're dealing with Oklahoma's weather extremes:
Cellular (Honeycomb) Shades
The honeycomb design traps air in little pockets, creating an insulating layer at your window. Graber® states up to 74% reduction in heating and cooling energy loss at the window with their cellular shades - that's huge when Oklahoma temps swing from 10°F to 110°F.
Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms, any window where you want year-round insulation. The Graber® UltraLite® cordless system makes them super easy to operate.
Oklahoma bonus: Double-cell shades add even more insulation for those really extreme days.
Edna's helped dozens of homeowners figure out exactly which opacity and cell size works for each room - bedrooms usually need blackout, living rooms can go lighter. She'll bring samples and hold them up in your actual light so you can see the difference. Give her a call; I bet she can help.
Solar Shades
These are the champs for handling Oklahoma's brutal summer sun. Solar shades for patios and large windows block heat while maintaining views and UV rays while still letting you see outside - perfect for those west-facing windows that turn your living room into an oven every afternoon.
Best for: Living rooms, home offices, sunrooms - anywhere you want the view but not the heat. They're especially good for large windows and sliding glass doors.
Oklahoma bonus: The openness percentage matters. A 3% openness blocks more heat but looks darker. A 10% openness keeps things brighter but doesn't block quite as much. Edna brings different samples because it's really hard to tell from a catalog. That's exactly the kind of thing she figures out in about five minutes.
Layered (Zebra/Dual) Shades
These give you flexibility that matters when Oklahoma weather changes every three days. Alternate between light filtering and room darkening just by adjusting the shade - no need to swap treatments when seasons change.
Best for: Bedrooms and living spaces where you want options. Open them up for natural light in winter, close them down when summer sun hits.
Oklahoma bonus: Both Norman® layered shade systems and Graber® layered shade options make great versions of these, and they handle Oklahoma's temperature swings better than separate treatments would.
Roman Shades
If you want something that looks high-end but still performs, roman shades with the right fabric lining can really help with insulation. They're not quite as efficient as cellular shades, but they're way better than nothing.
Best for: Formal living rooms, dining rooms, anywhere you want that custom look but still need some energy efficiency.
Oklahoma bonus: Blackout-lined roman shades work great for bedrooms where you want style and total darkness.
Motorized Options
Here's something most people don't think about - motorized shade systems with remote control and smart home automation aren't just about convenience. When your shades are easy to operate, you actually use them. That means closing them during Oklahoma's hottest afternoon hours and opening them when the sun moves.
Best for: Hard-to-reach windows, large windows, multiple windows in the same room that you want to control together.
Oklahoma bonus: You can program them to close automatically during peak heat hours, then open back up in the evening. Norman® offers motorization for both shades and blinds, while Graber® focuses on motorized shades through their Virtual Cord system.
Since motorized systems need to be built in from the start, Edna can walk you through what's involved and whether it makes sense for how you actually use your shades. Most people are surprised by how affordable it is when you're already getting new treatments.
Which Windows Matter Most in Oklahoma Homes?
Not all windows cost you the same amount in energy bills. In Oklahoma, these are usually your biggest problem areas:
- • West-facing windows - These get hammered by afternoon sun in summer. Solar shades or cellular shades make the biggest difference here.
- • South-facing windows - All-day sun exposure means these need good heat control year-round.
- • Large windows and sliding doors - More glass = more heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter. These windows give you the most bang for your buck when you upgrade treatments.
Not sure which windows are costing you the most? Edna can walk through your home and spot the problem areas in about ten minutes - west-facing windows are usually the worst culprits, but every house is different. Worth a conversation if your cooling bills keep climbing.
What About Energy Bills?
People always want to know about energy savings, and honestly, it varies based on your specific setup. Graber® documents up to 74% reduction in heating and cooling energy loss at the window with their cellular shades. That's at the window itself - your whole-house savings depend on factors like your window size, direction, current window efficiency, and how much of your home's total window area you're treating.
The biggest factor? Which windows you treat first. Focusing on your worst windows (usually west-facing in Oklahoma) gives you better results than treating every window equally.
Edna's really good at walking through these questions - she'll go over the energy-saving options and help you learn what's best for you and your home. She knows which rooms get the worst heat, which windows matter most for energy savings, and where you can save money without sacrificing comfort. Might be worth asking Edna when she comes out.
Have questions about Oklahoma window treatments? See our comprehensive FAQ for expert answers.
🎯 Ready to lower your energy bills and make your home more comfortable year-round? Call Edna at 405-259-5599
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