Are Bamboo Blinds Energy-Efficient? Here's What Our Expert Said

If you're going for a natural boho look in your home, you might be considering bamboo for your windows. Bamboo shades offer a chic, natural aesthetic thanks to their organic shape and light wood hue. And, using bamboo as a light block in home windows is an increasingly popular design decision being made in 2025: bamboo chic blinds are even replacing standard shades as a stylish window treatment. Beyond the beautiful aesthetic, there's one major flaw. Experts say that bamboo shades are not actually a good choice for keeping the hot sun out of your home. 

House Digest spoke exclusively with Steve Borodkin, the Owner and CEO of Ultimate Shades & Shutters and long-time expert on window treatments, including shades, shutters, and curtains. He talked about the major pros and cons of using bamboo shades in home windows, first noting that this type of decor dates back centuries and therefore offers a timeless look. "Bamboo shades have been around for thousands of years. First used in Egypt, [the shades were] woven from the grass and reeds that grew along the Nile river, then tied together with papyrus cloth," Borodkin explained. This method of creating the shades has continued throughout history and has led to the other big pro of opting for bamboo. "The benefit of bamboo shades would be in the vast selection of weaves and cloth they come in," he added. Unfortunately, the benefits end there.  

While bamboo shades will give your home a chic and timeless look, they won't exactly help reduce your energy costs at home, expert Steve Borodkin told House Digest. "Bamboo shades are one of the least energy efficient window treatments for heat and solar protection," he said in this exclusive interview. This is thanks to the material, which actually achieves the opposite effect that a homeowner would want in hot weather. Borodkin explained, "Due to the nature of the materials used, (grass cloth, bamboo slices, etc.) they are light filtering and natural, breathable materials. Something [that is] actually transferring the heat."

Bamboo's heat transference property is in direct contrast with newer types of window treatments that are made to keep heat and solar energy out. If you're looking to find a window treatment that's right for you, and want something that blocks the sun and keeps your cooling bill down, Borodkin recommends solar shades. He explained that these shades are "the most efficient window coverings to purchase that will give you the most protection from the sun's harmful rays." The sun and heat protection comes directly from the type of material. "These shades are made in different weaves and fabrics that have actual efficacy ratings," Borodkin told House Digest. "With solar ratings on both UV and AV from 1% to 10% . . . [They] all cut the heat down by 85% minimum. They now come with a solar panel powered motor, as well. Totally sustainable and cost effective."

If you still want the look and feel of bamboo shades, don't fret — there are ways to incorporate the shades without necessarily raising your air conditioning bills. In his exclusive interview with House Digest, expert Steve Borodkin said "Some manufactures offer [bamboo shades] lined with either blackout or light filtering cotton/poly fabrics." That means some of the problems are solved, and the shades will be effective at blocking or better filtering the sun. "This does reduce the amount of light," Borodkin confirmed. However, he warned that this fix "does nothing to reduce the amount of solar energy lost as the sunlight and heat makes its way through the window itself."

The other way to keep using your bamboo shades is to move them to lower light areas of the home, like a basement or a window that doesn't get much sunlight. "Most of our clients either use bamboo shades in rooms that don't need privacy and want an open and airy feel to the room, using their look and feel for aesthetic reasons," Borodkin told House Digest. You can also pair your bamboo with solar shades to get the best of both worlds. Borodkin told us that plenty of his clients do this mix and match technique. "At times they will use these shades as valances, placing a solar product under them."