Do blackout curtains make room hotter or cooler?

Author: Ana Cruickshank  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases. How Much Do Blackout Curtains Cost and Where Can I Get Them?

Do blackout curtains make your room hotter?

By effectively blocking sunlight, blackout curtains significantly reduce heat gain in a room, leading to a more naturally cool environment. This not only enhances comfort during the hot summer months but also results in lower air conditioning costs.

What is the downside of blackout curtains?

CONS: -May take up more space: Blackout curtains are hung from a curtain rod, so they may take up more space than blackout blinds. -Can be difficult to clean: Blackout curtains can be more difficult to clean than blackout blinds because they are typically made of a thicker, heavier material.

Do blackout curtains keep cold air out?

Blackout curtains can also help to reduce noise from outside and, save you some money on heating bills, keeping your room warmer in the winter months, and cooler in the summer months.

What are the best curtains to keep a room cool?

If you're looking for drapery fabric that allows for more air circulation to keep your home cool, choose curtain sheers. Sheers are lightweight, airy fabrics that soften light and let in the breeze, rather than blocking sunlight and heat.

Do Curtains Keep Heat In? TOP 4 TIPS FOR MAKING YOUR ROOM WARMER!

What is the best curtains for hot weather?

Light and breezy linen curtains

Linen is breathable and helps in maintaining air circulation, making it perfect for those hot summer days. Opt for light, neutral colours like white, beige, or pastel shades to enhance the cooling effect.

How to block out heat from windows?

10 ways to insulate windows for summer
  1. Add weatherstripping to your windows. ...
  2. Use window films to reflect heat. ...
  3. Invest in cellular shades. ...
  4. Purchase blackout blinds. ...
  5. Use draft snakes for window insulation. ...
  6. Insulate windows using bubble wrap. ...
  7. Upgrade to energy-efficient windows. ...
  8. Install insulating shutters.

Does shutting curtains keep room cooler?

1: Close curtains and windows

Light coloured blinds and curtains made of a weightier fabric offer the best heat-blocking potential, so go for these if you're thinking up updating yours – but keep hold of any darker ones that you replace, so you can switch back once the temperature drops to keep the heat in.

What is the difference between blackout curtains and thermal curtains?

Blackout curtains are constructed in layers using tightly woven fabric and often an additional blackout lining. Thermal curtains, on the other hand, are designed to regulate temperature by providing insulation against heat transfer.

Do blackout curtains block air flow?

As mentioned above as well, these curtains can as well save you on your electricity bills as they can trap your cool air in during the summer months, and thanks to the thermal blackout lining, it helps keep your warm air in during the brittle cold months of New York.

What works better than blackout curtains?

Another popular option for darkening your room is blackout window film. Window film is a total darkness solution for your windows because it blocks 100% of the light.

Do blackout curtains reduce electric bill?

Another benefit of blackout drapery is their ability to reduce your energy costs. In most homes, 10-25% of thermal energy loss is from windows. However, with blackout drapes, your energy bill could be reduced up to 25%. During the winter, blackout drapery will help keep the heat in the room.

What is the life expectancy of blackout curtains?

A broad average would be 12-15 years for good quality made-to-measure blackout blinds, and up to around 5 years for lower-end off-the-peg readymade blackout blinds.

What curtains are best for keeping heat in?

Thermal curtains, also known as Double, Lined or Blockout Curtains, are a great way of providing insulation and maintaining a stable temperature in a room.

Are blackout curtains unhealthy?

Blackout curtains have few health disadvantages. However, manufacturers may produce blackout curtains or roller blinds using polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This material has phthalates, chemicals that can enter and damage the human body through air particles, direct contact, and other methods.

How to keep a room cool that faces the sun?

Increase the Shade

You'll want to do what you can to block UV rays from entering a sun-facing room. Adding window treatments is one of the easiest ways to keep sunlight from heating your living space. Curtains or drapes with a reflective or light-colored backing would do the best job since they won't absorb extra heat.

Do blackout curtains keep heat out in summer?

Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases.

How much of a difference do blackout curtains make?

Blackout curtains, shades and blinds all reduce energy costs by cutting the amount of sunlight and UV rays that enter the room. In addition, they protect furniture and floors from sun damage and fading, which makes these high-cost products more durable.

What kind of curtains block out heat?

Blackout curtains don't just block sunlight – they can also be used as thermal-insulating curtains! Be sure to choose a light color like white, beige, or pastels to ensure that they reflect the light instead of absorbing it.

How much cooler can blackout curtains make a room?

Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the amount of heat which is transferred via your windows by as much as 24 percent, keeping the rooms where they're installed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This will allow you to use your heating and cooling system more efficiently and save energy.

How to cool down a room without AC?

Open windows on opposite sides of the house to take advantage of natural airflow patterns and create cross-ventilation. This air flow pushes hot air out and lets cooler air in. To enhance the effect, put fans in the windows during the night to pull in more air. Shut your shades and close your curtains.

How to get hot air out of a room?

15 Ways to Cool Down a Room Fast
  1. Close and cover windows during the day or add window insulation. ...
  2. Open windows at night. ...
  3. Create a cross breeze. ...
  4. Close doors to any unused rooms. ...
  5. Ensure your ceiling fans are turning the right way. ...
  6. Improve ventilation throughout your home. ...
  7. Switch to energy-efficient lights.

What is the best window covering to keep heat out?

Insulated cellular shades are typically considered to have the highest R-values of all window coverings. The air pockets in the honeycomb cross-sections act as insulators, increasing the R-value and reducing the conduction of heat through the window.

How to make house hold heat better?

  1. Install a programmable thermostat. ...
  2. Make sure heating vents are open and not blocked. ...
  3. Add a door draft stopper. ...
  4. Insulate windows with plastic film or bubble wrap. ...
  5. Seal your windows. ...
  6. Open curtains on a sunny day. ...
  7. Put your ceiling fan on reverse. ...
  8. Keep interior doors open.

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