Save on energy costs with outdoor blinds
OK, we’ll admit it. Things can be pretty pricey in this lucky country of ours.
And we for one are keen to find ways to beat the bulging budget.
The home can be a big drain on the bank account if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, there are plenty of smart tricks you can use around the house to reduce your household expenses.
Installing our new Bella Vista opaque outdoor blinds is just one such investment.
Cut cooling costs
The fact is our homes are not built to favour the Aussie climate.
Weatherboard homes, for example, can often be too cold in winter; few architectural styles can block out our extreme summer heat.
And that means we must run the heating or cooling full-bore for it to work semi-effectively – a huge expense!
It’s well worth looking at alternative ways to stabilise your indoor temperature.
Outdoor blinds are just one way to keep your home cool in summer and warmer in winter.
Windows may be desirable in any home, but they are the culprit of most heat gain (or loss) in your home.
Simply blocking sunlight can reduce the amount of heat coming into your home by 70 to 80%.
And our Bella Vista opaque or shade blinds, as well as our strong PVC café blinds, are the perfect way to do this.
External blinds add an extra layer of insulation to your home.
For a start, outdoor blinds are thicker than regular indoor curtains or blinds.
That density helps stop the stifling heat penetrating inside.
If you have internal curtains as well, you’ve doubled your barrier against the heat by pulling down your outdoor blinds.
Outdoor blinds are also made of a superior material.
For example our tinted café blinds are made with strong PVC that has a 14+ UV protection factor.
(An added advantage to these home additions is that while you’re keeping the heat out, you’re still letting that gorgeous view in with shade or café blinds).
Outdoor blinds are particularly worthwhile installing in north- or west-facing outdoor spaces, where the majority of the peak day sun hits.
And when it’s winter? Simply retract them to let in the optimal amount of sunlight to warm up your interiors.
To break it down: pulling down your outdoor blinds prevents the sunlight from entering your home.
Without that excessive sunlight, your air conditioner doesn’t have to work so hard.
You won’t just be saving on the electricity bills trying to pump out the excess mugginess; you’ll also help your cooling system last longer!
Save your furniture
You might not have thought of this one.
Anyone who has ever moved house – or even just the rearranged the furniture in a room – knows how frustrating sun damage can be to a home’s interior.
Outdoor furniture exposed to the wear and tear of nature fares even worse.
It can look like this bench pretty quickly:
The sun can damage wooden floors, fade upholstery, dry out leather, and destroy carpets.
Actually, it’s not just regular sunlight. UV light creates 40% of your furniture’s fading.
Visible light contributes 25% and heat another 25% to the damage.
Keep in mind; UV rays stick around whether or not the sun does.
With UV absorbers in their material, outdoor blinds can prolong the life of your furniture.
Ready to renovate?
At Australian Outdoor Living, we want you to get the most out of your new installation. Check out our other outdoor blinds resources below:
Australian Outdoor Living is passionate about helping people love their life outdoors. We offer a range of products, including:
- Outdoor blinds
- Artificial grass
- Roller shutters
- Carports
- Timber decking
- Pergolas, verandah and patios
- Outdoor Kitchens
Have you been thinking about renovating your home? Fill out the free measure and quote form at the top of this article and a member of our dedicated sales team will be in touch.