(Almost) all blackout blinds are also thermal blinds, but not all thermal blinds are blackout blinds in their turn.
But what's the difference between blackout and thermal curtains? In short, blackout curtains are primarily designed to blackout a room by reducing the amount of light that can enter through the window. Thermal curtains, on the other hand, are primarily designed to reduce heat loss from a room's windows.
Thermal lining fabric has a thin, rubberised backing to it and is therefore effective at reducing heat loss. Blackout lining has an additional acrylic layer to prevent light passing through the fabric.
Thermal curtains can also dampen sound, block out sunlight, and reduce energy bills. While both blackout and thermal curtains have insulating and blackout qualities, the primary function of thermal curtains is to insulate the room.
Thermal blackout blinds keep the heat on the inside…
This is particularly true for people who chose thermally insulating blackout blinds specifically to try to block draughts from windows, or that have windows that seems to leak heat like a holed bucket leaks water.
Let's start by clarifying what a 'Thermal Blind' is, for us, it's a blind that is specifically designed to help either trap heat in your room, preventing it from escaping, or to help keep your home cooler in the winter by reflecting sunlight away from your window.
Your thermal curtain can also be blackout. Thermal curtains are made of 100% polyester, wool or cotton, doubled or triples-layered heavy fabric, with a thick backing of insulate material, most of the time they would have a polyester-film vapour barrier.
In terms of energy efficiency, both room darkening and blackout curtains can be beneficial with 100% blackout curtains providing the most energy savings. Because they block out all light, they can also block out heat, which can help to keep a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
For example, if you require insulated industrial curtains for several years, then chances are the thermal insulated curtains are a better investment. The longer you use the insulated curtains, the more money you are going to save in regards to energy loss.
So when your thermal curtains are shut, you're blocking sunlight from entering your house and producing heat. Thermal curtains can help minimize heat coming into your house on hot summer days, but their overall effectiveness in keeping your home comfortable in the summer is pretty minimal.
Yes, very much so. Thermal blinds are a great pick for rooms that get horribly hot in summer, whether or not they also get overly cold in winter.
By creating a complete barrier in front of the windows of a building, blackout blinds pose a secondary and most welcome benefit – energy saving through thermal insulation. About 30% of the heat lost from a room is via the windows.
These shades are constructed with either a single or double layer of hollow cells, which not only block light, but also improve insulation and muffle noise.
Black blinds tend to hold onto heat rather than being a good insulator or barrier against it, so if you're trying to keep a room cooler in summer and are looking for blinds that can help to do this, black blinds aren't the best idea.
During the winter
Many people don't realise that just as a lot of heat comes to your home through your windows in summer, just as much escapes during colder months, even with double glazing. Blackout blinds can reduce heat loss by up to 25%, making your home more energy efficient and keeping your energy bills low.
The best blackout blinds are honeycomb cellular pleated perfect fit blinds in blackout fabric. These fit onto/into the window itself and totally negate the issue of any potential light leakage. The second-best blackout blinds are Roman blinds.
Curtains are soundproof and offer better insulation
Because blinds require slats to function, heat can easily escape through the slats.
Benefits of thermal curtains
Thermal curtains, however, take things a step further by reducing a room's energy loss by up to 25 percent, explains Deconovo, which might not sound like a lot, but it can lead to significant savings on your yearly energy expenditures.
Yes, your curtains should be floor length in most situations. Not only does it look more modern and stylish, there are some practical benefits as well, like added insulation light blocking around the window to keep out drafts.
Blackout curtains can make a room hotter if they are not installed properly or if they are made from heavy, heat-absorbing materials. However, in most cases, blackout curtains can actually help to keep a room cooler by blocking out sunlight and reducing the amount of heat that enters the room.
Blackout blinds or curtains
One tip is to close the curtains in the morning before it gets too hot, and to open your curtains and windows in the evening to allow in the cooler air. A rule of thumb is to open the windows when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature.
With blockout blinds, you cannot see out and no one can see in, the fabric is not see-through. Compared to sheer blinds where both you can see out and people can see in. Blockout blinds, also known as blackout blinds, are perfect for media rooms, bedrooms, living rooms or rooms with a television.
Heavy microfiber is an excellent fabric to use for blackout curtains, mainly if a triple-weave technology is used. It can cut out light up to 90%. This blackout curtain can also balance the temperature of the room using its insulating features. Polyester is a good fabric for blackout curtains.
Just because it's called blackout lining it isn't black in colour! Lining to make black out curtains is available in white and cream. It also has thermal qualities, so it will help reduce heat loss from your room and minimise the amount of cold air entering via the windows.
CONS: -Can be difficult to clean: Because they are installed on the window, blackout blinds can be more difficult to clean. -May not provide as much insulation: Blackout blinds may not provide as much insulation as blackout curtains.