If you live in a cold area and your heating bills are too high, then you should consider using blinds to help retain some of the heat in your home.
The answer is 'yes', certain types of blinds will trap a layer of air between the fabric and the glass, helping to keep out the cold coming in from your windows. Professionally fitted blinds can be an energy efficient way to keep the heat in and the cold out.
Closing your window blinds on hot summer days blocks the sunlight to keep your home cooler and reduce your energy use. Closing them on cold winter nights cuts down on heat loss, so your home stays warmer with less strain on your furnace.
In short, the answer is yes. Blinds, draperies, and window treatments are an effective method for cutting heating and cooling bills, regulating the temperature of your home, and enhancing its overall appearance.
Window blinds—vertical (Venetian blinds) or horizontal slat-type (louvered-type)—are effective at reducing summer heat gain and reducing glare, while providing good daylight indoors.
When completely closed, highly reflective blinds can reduce heat gain by around 45 percent, says the DOE. They can also be adjusted to block and reflect direct sunlight onto a light-colored ceiling, which diffuses the light without much heat or glare.
Blinds can help control home temperature. So, if you want to keep the house cool in summer: you close them during the day. If you want to keep the house warmer in winter: you open them during the day. If you are going away for an extended period (vacation): closed.
Curtains offer better insulation and soundproofing.
In warm weather, however, blinds beat curtains in energy efficiency. Because blinds leak more heat from a room, they also decrease indoor heat gain more efficiently in the summer, by around 45 percent, which can lower your AC bills.
Hanging curtains over blinds adds extra depth and elegance to your windows, as blinds alone can look cold or unfinished. Sometimes hanging curtains on their own is sufficient, but occasionally you need to add extra privacy or light control.
In terms of durability, blinds are likely more durable being made of wood versus cloth curtains, since material that can become moth-eaten, stained or mouldy – as you can imagine, curtains in bathrooms and kitchens have a huge risk of mould and stains because of the constant moisture in the air.
We often get asked the question 'do curtains and blinds work together? ' The answer is, for the most part, 'yes' – when paired, the two can bring out a flexible décor and ensure adequate blocking of light and privacy control. However, there are some style guidelines to follow to get the look just right.
Close your blinds and curtains.
Keeping your blinds closed during the day will reflect a surprising amount of heat radiating in through windows, especially during the time of day when the sun's rays shine directly on your home.
Keep blinds open during the day. Not only will this practice save you some money on energy bills during the winter, but it can also keep you and your family healthier. Read on to find out how sunlight can kill harmful bacteria present in the dust in your rooms.
As has been demonstrated, blinds are very effective at reducing both heating and cooling costs in the house.
The View From Outside During The Day
From outside they do offer privacy due to the fact that the light outside is much brighter than the light inside. As you can see from the picture the person in the room can not be seen. However you can notice the items on the sill due to their close proximity to the blind.
So before you sprint to the kitchen to make coffee in the morning, make sure to throw open all of your curtains and blinds. For all those cloudy days, consider investing in a light therapy box (like this one from Verilux), which gives off light that mimics natural sunlight.
Where do curtains come in? By restricting the flow of air between the warm and cold areas of a space, curtains aid in heat retention. Also, double-glazed windows will allow heat to escape, but heavy curtains will act as a barrier, preventing air from flowing from the main room to the window.
How effective are thermal blinds? Thermal blinds can be extremely effective depending on the type of window and how they are installed and used. The blind will need to be down to be the most effective, so there are no gaps around the edges that lets the warm air escape.
How much do blinds cost per window? The average cost per window is $50. This price is dependent on the material and size of blinds that are chosen. Mini blinds can cost as little as $6, but custom, motorized, or high-end materials can push the price to more than $100 each.
In short, the right blinds for your bedroom will be a style that blocks out as much light as possible. One of the most important things to remember is that most styles of blinds will still allow a small degree of light to escape around the sides of the fabric.
Full-length curtains are best suited for spacious rooms while blinds are a better option for compact spaces and other moisture-laden areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Note that if there are any furniture pieces like a bed, or a sofa below the window then it is advisable to go for window blinds.
Blinds tend to be cheaper than curtains, so are a popular choice for anyone on a budget. But that doesn't mean blinds can't also be aesthetically pleasing. In many cases, blinds are a better choice than curtains, particularly if they are to go in a small room.
The short answer is that blinds are structured window treatments featuring slats that can be tilted open or closed, while shades are a single solid window covering made from softer textiles. Blinds can be horizontal or vertical and are generally available in wood, woven wood, bamboo, faux wood, aluminum, and vinyl.