As the subject of global warming and its effect on the earth’s environment as lauded daily by the press and world political figures, it is cleat to most of us that conservation must begin at home. Of course, we need to conserve the natural resources by changing our life style and being ever conscious of our actions and how the affect our surroundings. We can all drive less and reduce our fuel consumption; we can lower our thermostats in the winter and set them higher in the summer and control the radiant heat entering our homes during the warmest months of the year, especially in the southernmost areas of our country. This last contribution to conservation can be made by the acquisition of bamboo shades. Bamboo shades are made of 100% Bamboo, unlike many faux products, and thus demonstrating a greater awareness to the environmental issue.

As previously mentioned, bamboo shades, besides being a 100% natural product, can make a major contribution by reducing the amount of radiant heat and light entering a room. Bamboo shades can lower the average home’s energy bill by as much as 20% for bamboo shades can completely block sunlight yet create a natural look perhaps unobtainable through the use of any other type of window treatment. An additional benefit of full light control is the damaging effect direct sunlight can have on your home furnishings over time.

Bamboo shades also have the ability to provide privacy while at the same time allowing sufficient diffused light to enter the room thus avoiding the use of artificial light and therefore reducing energy consumption. Unlike many other types of window treatments, bamboo shades can be lined to fit any particular need or they can be fabricated without a lining. The effect of a liner in a bamboo shade can fully control the translucency of the shade or used to project a uniform color to the exterior as required by many homeowner and condominium associations yet allow the consumer to choose the desired color to fit a specific interior decor.

Environmentally conscious buyers may wonder if the use of bamboo for window treatment may be damaging to the environment. As a matter of fact, bamboo shades are among the most environmentally friendly type of window treatment available to consumers. Bamboo shades require few, if any, plastic parts for their control mechanisms and they are usually assembled using silicone-based glues. The amount of electricity used in the fabrication process of bamboo shades is lower when compared to other window treatment products. Regarding the growing of the bamboo, the bamboo plant is hearty and fast growing, requires little or no fertilizer and is naturally highly resistant to pest thus hardly requiring the use of pesticides. The process of fabrication is low impact, using mostly human labor instead of energy consuming machinery. Bamboo shades are a natural product and very environmentally friendly.

Disposition of the bamboo shade after its useful life is another factor to be considered when initially purchased. Because they are a 100% natural product and fully biodegradable, the impact of disposal is minimal, especially when compared to other types of window treatments.

In summary, the selection of the proper window treatment can and perhaps should include the effect the materials used in these products will have on the environment, not only during its production but also during its disposal many years later. Selecting bamboo shades, also known as woven wood shades, will add a true natural look to your home environment, with dozens of different patterns and colors available, in addition to the energy savings previously addressed. Certainly a wise and smart choice!

Judith Persit works from home in a design studio and writes about bamboo shades. Learn about shades at her website.