Energy Efficiency of Exterior Doors
Everyone has exterior doors in their home, as doors are necessary for access to and from the house. Doors are also often used for ventilation and illumination too. Doors are something we pass in and out of without much thought. This is understandable, however, if these doors we are not thinking much about are in poor condition (or are very old) they can contribute to more than 40% of a home's air leak related energy losses. This is something we should think about as it costs time and energy.
So, if your doors need replacing it is something worth doing as it can make your home look nicer, but also for the energy efficiency of exterior doors today. Modern exterior doors often fit and insulate better than old ones, and their associated heat losses (or gains) only come from opening and closing the door. This means that the only energy you lose happens when the door gets opened and closed, not just because there is a door.
When choosing curtains you start by picking a fabric type, but I unless you are a talented seamstress, you should buy your curtains and drapes from a professional. Generally you can find a good selection of fabrics, colors and patterns in ready made curtains that come in standard window sizes. However, they only come in standard sizes, so if you have an odd-size window, you're going to have to go custom. Standard sizes are 63" long by 48", 72", or 96" wide per pair. And 84" long by 48", 72", 96" 122" and 144" wide per pair.
Should you choose curtains with a lining? Well that depends. What does it depend on: personal taste and on fabric type. For example, if it is a sheer fabric, lining is usually not used. If you line a sheer, it is no longer sheer, which defeats the purpose. Lining helps most other fabrics, however. If you line it, the drapery will handle more smoothly and give more depth to the pleats. Also, lining a lighter fabric will help it hand straighter. Sun damage can be a killer to fabric, so a good lining will help protect your fabric from fading and sun rot.
Natural fabrics are more prone to rotting, so they should always be lined. Lining your fabric also helps conserve energy, as less energy will be lost through your windows. Last but not least, lining fabrics can help give the outside of your home a more uniform appearance. If all of your fabrics are lined with the same fabric, you can change the color and pattern of the fabrics you use from room to room without changing the color or look of your home from outside.
Choosing curtains should be fun. While you can have them custom made, if your windows are typical sizes, you will have plenty of choices at department stores, and won't need to get custom made curtains. Choosing curtains is personal, and there is no one way to determine what curtain will be right, so consider your climate, your personal taste, and the textures and richness you want in your home.
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Tags: energy doors efficiency cost
