Because blinds require slats to function, heat can easily escape through the slats. Whereas, curtains don't require slats so heat is easily maintained. The thicker the curtain is the more insulated they are. However, in summer, blinds are better than curtains for energy efficiency.
While blinds are generally made from thin, hard materials such as wood, metal or plastic, curtains tend to be fabric. Fabric tends to be a better insulator due to the air pockets contained within - especially when you add multiple layers of thicker fabrics together.
When blinds are measured and fitted properly they insulate your home by trapping a layer of air between the blinds fabric and the window. This effectively seals of your windows so that air can't escape from the windows. For the best effect you should pull up blinds during the day to allow sunlight in to warm the home.
Do closed blinds help keep cold out, and can blinds reduce your heating costs? The simple answer to this is yes, but the extent to which it applies is very variable, depending on factors including your windows, general home insulation as a whole, the blinds you choose, and how you hang and operate them.
Curtains will give better light control but blinds may be more practical in a smaller space. If you decide on a blind, have it made longer and wider than the window to minimise light drift. Curtains are best installed close to the ceiling or better still, with a pelmet above to stop light from escaping.
That said, Stewart does embrace a curtain cousin. According to a House Beautiful article about Stewart's Antiques & Garden Show presentation, the media mogul admitted that she often deploys window valances when they suit the home's architectural and interior design styles.
Blinds Versus Curtains
In general, curtains are better for retaining heat in the home. However, by choosing a thermal blind you can reduce heat loss from your home by 20-40%, while thermal curtains reduce heat loss by just 25%-30%.
About 30% of a home's heating energy is lost through windows. In cooling seasons, about 76% of sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows enters to become heat. Window coverings can help with this loss of energy by providing comfort, regulating temperatures, and lowering energy bills.
The effectiveness of curtains vs. blinds in cooling a room depends on their material and design. Heavy, lined curtains can be more effective than blinds in blocking heat, but certain types of blinds, like cellular shades, are also highly effective.
Cellular Shades
honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer. They're one of the best window coverings to keep heat out and to keep cold out.
What type of blind is best for insulation? Roller or Roman blinds can have a thermal option (Romans are best). We do not recommend Vertical or Venetian Blinds as gaps between the slats allow cold air through faster than a thick fabric.
Cellular shades, also known as Honeycomb Blinds, offer the highest insulation due to their design, which traps air between cells, preventing heat transfer between the room and the window.
Thermal curtains are designed specifically to enhance insulation, making them an excellent choice for improving energy efficiency. Fabrics like heavy cotton, wool, and suede are ideal for thermal curtains due to their dense weave, which helps block out cold drafts in winter and keep your home cool in summer.
Fiberglass window frames are dimensionally stable and have air cavities that can be filled with insulation, giving them superior thermal performance compared to wood or uninsulated vinyl.
Because blinds require slats to function, heat can easily escape through the slats. Whereas, curtains don't require slats so heat is easily maintained. The thicker the curtain is the more insulated they are. However, in summer, blinds are better than curtains for energy efficiency.
If you meet the specific energy efficiency criteria for your blinds, you will be eligible for government tax credits.
Wood blinds, vertical blinds, roller or roman shades will all act as a mild barrier to the assertive low temperatures seeping in through your windows. Shutters are also a good option as their frame fits tightly within the window frame to block any air coming in from cracks or damage to the window seal.
When nighttime hits, placing your blind's slats in the down position is best.
On hot days, tilt the blinds upward toward the ceiling to block heat from the sun – this simple action can reduce heat gain by up to 45 percent. On cool days, open the blinds completely or tilt them downward toward the floor to allow heat from the sun into the room. Close the blinds at night to prevent heat loss.
Blinds in Bristol
Blackout blinds do more than just block out light—they can also help make a room warmer. Their ability to insulate against cold in the winter and keep heat out during the summer makes them a versatile choice for improving home comfort.
Duette Blackout Fabrics
Duette blackout blinds provide insulation at your windows, rejecting solar gain in summer and retaining heat in colder months. Duette's honeycomb structure reduces reduces the impact of outside noise.