If you’re aiming for a natural boho vibe in your interior design, bamboo window treatments might be on your radar. Bamboo shades provide a stylish, organic aesthetic with their natural form and light wood color. Opting for bamboo as a window covering is gaining popularity in 2025, with bamboo chic blinds often replacing conventional shades as fashionable window treatments. Despite their appealing look, there’s a notable downside. Experts indicate that bamboo shades aren’t very effective in blocking the hot sun from entering your home.
Onions Australia had an exclusive conversation with Steve Borodkin, Owner and CEO of Ultimate Shades & Shutters and a seasoned expert in window treatments like shades, shutters, and curtains. He discussed the key advantages and drawbacks of using bamboo shades, highlighting their historical significance and timeless appeal. “Bamboo shades have a history stretching back thousands of years. Initially crafted in Egypt, these shades were woven from the grasses and reeds along the Nile River, then tied with papyrus cloth,” Borodkin explained. This traditional method has persisted through the ages and contributes to another advantage of bamboo shades. “The variety of weaves and fabrics available is a significant benefit,” he added. Unfortunately, the advantages stop there.
How bamboo impacts your energy bill
While bamboo shades can give your home a chic and timeless look, they won’t significantly cut down on your energy expenses, according to expert Steve Borodkin. “Bamboo shades rank among the least energy-efficient window treatments for heat and solar protection,” he stated in this exclusive interview. The material used in these shades actually has the opposite effect of what homeowners would desire in hot weather. Borodkin explained, “The materials such as grass cloth and bamboo slices are light filtering and naturally breathable, inadvertently transferring heat.”
This heat-transferring property of bamboo contrasts sharply with modern window treatments designed to block heat and solar energy. For those seeking window treatments that block sunlight and reduce cooling costs, Borodkin recommends solar shades. He elaborated that these shades are “the most efficient window coverings available, offering maximum protection from the sun’s harmful rays.” The sun and heat protection is directly linked to the material. “These shades are crafted in various weaves and fabrics with actual efficacy ratings,” Borodkin told Onions Australia. “With solar ratings on UV and AV ranging from 1% to 10%… [They] reduce heat by at least 85%. They are now also available with solar panel-powered motors, making them sustainable and cost-effective.”
How to incorporate bamboo shades in an energy-friendly way
If you still desire the look and feel of bamboo shades, don’t worry—there are ways to integrate them without necessarily increasing your air conditioning costs. In his exclusive interview with Onions Australia, expert Steve Borodkin mentioned, “Some manufacturers offer [bamboo shades] lined with either blackout or light-filtering cotton/poly fabrics.” This addresses some issues, making the shades more effective in blocking or filtering sunlight. “This reduces the amount of light,” Borodkin confirmed. However, he cautioned that this solution “does not mitigate the solar energy loss as sunlight and heat penetrate through the window itself.”
Another approach is to use bamboo shades in areas of the home with less light, such as a basement or windows not exposed to direct sunlight. “Many of our clients choose bamboo shades for rooms that don’t require privacy and benefit from an open and airy atmosphere, using their aesthetic qualities,” Borodkin informed Onions Australia. You can also pair bamboo with solar shades to enjoy the best of both worlds. Borodkin noted that many of his clients adopt this mix-and-match strategy. “Sometimes, they use these shades as valances, placing a solar product underneath them.”
