As the cold winter months approach, the importance of effective insulation is vital, with a third of winter energy bills here in New Zealand attributed to heating the home. When it comes to keeping your home warm and cosy while minimising energy consumption, choosing the right window coverings is paramount. Here at Lahood Window Furnishings®, we're proud to offer Luxaflex® Duette® Shades - a solution that not only enhances your home décor but also provides unparalleled insulation benefits.
Honeycomb Blinds Top in Consumer NZ Testing
In testing conducted by Consumer NZ, honeycomb (also known as cellular) blinds such as Duettes were the clear winner for heat retention, retaining 63% of room heat and saving the most cost.
The Secret is in the Unique Design
Duette Shades are the original honeycomb blind and the secret to the unparalleled performance of honeycomb blinds lies in the unique cellular structure, with two or more layers of pleated reinforced fabrics forming special compartments, trapping cold air and preventing it from entering the room. Fitting snugly within window frames, further testing by Consumer NZ reveals honeycomb blinds provide up to 33% more insulation than double glazing.
Up to 45% of Heat Lost Through Windows.
Wendy Muir, a Lahood Design Consultant, blinds specialist, with more than 20 years experience in window furnishings, emphasises the core benefit of Duette blinds: "The main advantage of honeycomb blinds is that they're specifically designed to improve insulation. With between 42% and 45% of heat loss happening through windows, it's no surprise they're a practical and popular option." By reserving heat and saving energy, Duette Shades help reduce dependence on heaters during winter and air conditioning units during summer. This not only saves you money but also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing harmful emissions. For those seeking the ultimate in cellular insulation, Duette Architella® Shades are the pinnacle of performance and are perfect for single-glazed windows in particular. Utilising cell-within-a-cell construction, these high-performance shades create three air pockets, achieving even greater gains in energy efficiency.
The Smart Benefits of PowerView® Automation
In addition to manual operation, all Duette shades come with the option of PowerView Automation to allow effortless control via remote, voice or Smart app. You can enhance efficiency, convenience, and savings by scheduling your blinds to open and close automatically, maximising comfort and energy efficiency in winter and beyond.
The Designer’s Alternative to Double-Glazing
But insulation is just one piece of the puzzle. Duette Shades also look great and have enhanced functionality. "Everyone wants to improve the aesthetics of their home décor without compromising on functionality. Luxaflex Duette shades excel with both and so are a popular choice with architects and designers," explains Wendy. Available in a wide range of contemporary colours the Duette® Shades fabrics are made from a dust repellent, exceedingly durable spun-bonded polyester, which comes in Blockout, Translucent and Sheer fabrics depending on the level of privacy and light required. For the ultimate in versatility, the Day-Night shades combines block out and light-filtering filtering fabric panels sewn into the one blind. The Duette shades also offer unique configurations, allowing you to raise the shade from the bottom to allow light at the top and privacy lower down, in addition to the normal top-down configuration.
No Better time to Start Insulating
As we prepare for the colder months ahead, investing in Duette Shades is a decision that not only enhances your home's aesthetic appeal but also delivers unmatched insulation benefits, energy efficiency, and comfort. "With Luxaflex Duette Shades fitted throughout your home, you'll be able to enjoy a comfortable living environment all year round, regardless of the temperature outside," says Wendy.
