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What Does It All Mean? Understanding the Terminology

R-Value
You may have heard it before: R-Value. But what exactly is it and what does it mean?

Very simply, R-value is a measure of a given material's resistance to heat flow - how well it resists heat gain or loss. In short, the higher the R-value, the better the insulation it will provide for you.

R-Value and your Windows

Your windows themselves have and R-value. A typical window has an R-value ranging from 0.9 to 3.0. (To put this in perspective, the insulation that is used to build a home today has an R-value in the low 40s).

Several factors influence the R-value of your windows:

• Type of glazing material.
• Number of layers of glass.
• Size of the air space between the glass layers.
• Thermal resistance of the frame and spacer materials.
• "Tightness" of the installation.

R-Value and your Window Treatments
The window treatments you select also have an R-value. The higher the R-value, the more insulating benefits you'll receive. Adding cellular shades to your windows can block as much as 62% of the heat transfer through a window panel.

This article was provided by Comfortex Window Fashions for American Blinds Wallpaper and More.

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