In the quest to make your home's interior more environmentally friendly, you probably think first of things like installing energy-efficient appliances and CFL bulbs. Note that window treatments, while less obvious, can be part of your green home makeover, too. Here are some options for dressing your windows in an eco-friendly fashion.

Buy Bamboo
        Bamboo is a fast-growing, biodegradable grass that requires no replanting or fertilizers. It's also versatile: choose from bamboo roman or mini shades, matchstick or roll-up blinds, verticals or shutters. Because they're lightweight, bamboo window coverings aren't very durable and provide little to no insulation, but they're inexpensive, low-maintenance and offer a natural look that complements - and even inspires - many a room's decor. Very similar to bamboo are jute, reed and rattan window coverings.

Go Natural
        Synthetic fabrics like rayon and polyester contain petrochemicals harmful to your health and the environment, so opt instead for curtains made of natural fabrics like silk, cotton, linen, hemp or wool. Be aware of fabrics that have been chemically treated to be stain resistant or fire retardant, and look for those that are naturally pigmented or that have been colored with non-toxic or low-toxic dyes. You may need to add a backing to your natural-fabric drapes to add insulation, or to help darken the room to your liking.

Everything Old Is New Again
        More and more manufacturers are offering consumers window coverings that are either entirely or partially made from recycled materials, and that are either wholly or partially recycable. For example, a can of soda pop could enjoy a reincarnation as a window covering - aluminum is a common material from which recycled blinds are made, as is hardwood. Polyester and natural fabrics like cotton can also be given new life as recycled curtains.

The Real Thing, Only Better
        For some people, there's just no substitute for the look and feel of real wood. If this applies to you, choose window coverings that are made of basswood, a renewable hardwood that's recycable and biodegradable. Any type of wood will do, really, so long as it's certified as coming from a sustainably harvested forest. Alternatively, you can purchase window coverings made from sawdust or reclaimed wood, diverting waste from our landfills.

Energy Savers
        Another way to green your window coverings is to choose more energy-efficient ones, which will help keep your utility bills and carbon footprint down. The energy efficiency of window coverings is measured in R-values. Look for treatments with a high R-value; the higher the R-value, the more effective the treatment is in preventing heat from escaping your home. Its shading coefficient is also important - the lower the coefficient, the less heat entering through your windows. Thanks to their honeycomb-like cell structure that serves to trap air, cellular shades are among the most effective insulating window coverings on the market.