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.
Can blinds keep heat in your home and stop or lessen the degree to which it escapes out of the windows? Yes, all blinds help to keep the warmth on the inside (assuming that the issue is heat loss from the windows rather than generally poor insulation) but some types of blinds are much better at this than others.
Blackout roller blinds
They help keep the room cool because the hot sun rays cannot get past the window into the room. They also limit cooling costs by blocking out the hot sunlight. Blackout roller blinds have other advantages. In the cold winter months, they keep in the heat.
Curtains are soundproof and offer better insulation
The thicker the curtain is the more insulated they are. However, in summer, blinds are better than curtains for energy efficiency. This is because heat escapes easily through the slats.
The short answer is yes, closing your blinds can help to keep the heat out of your home. When sunlight enters your home through windows, it heats up the air and surfaces inside. By blocking out the sun's rays, you can prevent some of this heat from entering your home in the first place.
The rule you should go by is whether it is hotter outside than inside. If the temperature is higher outside than it is inside, you should keep your windows and curtains closed. This will shut the heat out, and help to keep your home cool.
Sunshine streams in through the window, and the gap in between the window and blinds captures the heat, producing a greenhouse effect. In the winter, this is a desirable effect, and in the summer, when you want it to be cooler in your home, all you have to do is raise the blinds to leave the window uncovered.
The trick is to use the right type of window shades to block the heat and to install them as close to the glass as possible to get the maximum benefit. For insulation purposes, cellular or honeycomb shades are the most effective. The honeycomb shape helps to trap air, reducing your solar heat gain.
Close your blinds
By blocking the sun's light from your space, you won't only keep cool during the heatwave, you'll also be able to enjoy the style of your space to its greatest extent! Whether you select a Roman blind or a roller blind, a well-made window covering will help block out the heat this summer.
Heat Blocking Curtains and Drapes
Darker-colored drapes trap more heat inside, while lighter-colored drapes reflect light. Generally, light-colored drapes with a lining are best for cooling your home.
Insulation. Simply put, this is the best way to cool down a house with big windows. While insulation may be only one word, it needs to be applied in multiple places (and in multiple ways) in order to really be effective in making a home like Jeff's more comfortable so he can enjoy those gorgeous Folsom views.
Spreading tin foil on any windows that receive direct sunlight can redirect the sun and heat away from your home. While it may introduce a somewhat space-age aesthetic to your household, it's a cheap and temporary fix to the problem of extreme heat.
Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as you can. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty. Schedule outdoor activities carefully. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and sunscreen.
Turn Down the Thermostat at Night...
Sleep scientists suggest that for optimal sleeping conditions, room temperature should be between 60 and 67°F. That figure is considerably lower than the daytime recommendation, furthering your heating bill savings while also reaping improved sleep. It's a true win-win.
'From a best practice point of view, we recommend opening blinds at night on west and north-west facing windows to help with nighttime cooling and closing the blinds during the day on east and south-east facing windows to help create a cool refuge from the sun. '
According to University of Salford researchers, drawing the curtains at dusk will minimize heat loss by 15-17 per cent. The number for blinds is a little lower, at 13-14 per cent, but the gap is significant enough to justify closing them.
Typical horizontal blinds have an average R-value of 2.5 while honeycomb shades are better insulators and have an R-value between 3.25 to 5.0. By increasing the R-value of your window coverings you can decrease your energy bills. Window treatments can be the greatest investment for energy savings.
Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the heat that is transferred into your windows by up to 24 percent, again keeping a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This allows you to save on energy and heating bills during the winter months.
On the other hand, blinds will need to be cleaned more often. In addition, blinds are less efficient at keeping in the heat. The window blind slats can easily get damaged, especially if you choose aluminium or plastic blinds. Blind cords can be a hazard around young children.