How Curtains Provide Insulation. Good curtains stop cold air from entering your home by creating an air gap between the room and the window. Ideally, they also prevent any flow of hot and cold air which would create a draft.
Curtains or drapes can help insulate your rooms as they reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room.
Curtains help with heat retention by limiting the flow of air between the warm and cold areas of a room. Even double-glazed windows will afford heat with a chance to escape, but a set of heavy curtains will form a barrier that'll limit the flow of air from the main room to the window.
Thermal curtains feature a layer of acrylic foam between the double or triple layers of fabric to provide insulation, making these curtains ideal for winter months or drafty windows. Thermal curtains can also dampen sound, block out sunlight, and reduce energy bills.
The clever use of blinds, curtains, and other window treatments can help keep your house cool and your bills in check. The Department of Energy says the smart management of window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77 percent. (And, as a bonus, these same practices can reduce heat loss in the winter.)
Insulated Cellular Shades
For leaky windows, insulated cellular shades, sometimes called honeycomb shades, are one of the two most effective window treatments for keeping out the cold air and keeping in the heat.
Using conventional drapes and curtains made of heavy material reduces heat loss through windows. Closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss by up to 17 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using curtains with thermal lining can reduce heat loss by up to 25 percent.
There's a lot to love about blackout curtains: They keep the light out so you get a great night's rest, they help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter (saving you money and helping the environment), and they can even reduce noise if you live in a busy area.
It's important to try to use as much natural - and free - heat (in the form of sunlight) as possible. Window shades and curtains should be kept open during the day, advise Age UK. Closing your curtains as soon as dusk falls will maximise your house's potential to retain that heat.
For many, opting for a set of thermal curtains can help you keep out the cold and heat—all without adding more money to your electric bill.
Ideally, you should use both types of curtains and change them from the cold to the warm season. Blackout curtains will keep your house cooler during the sizzling hot summer days, while thermal curtains will keep warmth from escaping out of the windows.
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.
Prevent heat loss in the winter
During the day: Open your window coverings during the day to let the sunlight warm your home naturally. In the evenings: Prevent heat loss in the evenings by closing the blinds and keeping the cool air out.
If passersby can see into your house and either valuables are on display, or the room visible is a functional, private, family space, by all means you should keep your curtains closed.
Blackout curtains are made from a lighter triple weave fabric which is designed to block out light, compared to Thermal curtains which are made from 3 layers of thick fabric, in most case using 100 % cotton, polyester, or wool, and to protect them from UV rays, the back part of the curtains are coated with acrylic foam ...
In heating seasons, tightly installed cellular shades can reduce heat loss through windows by 40% or more, which equates to about 10% heating energy savings.
Closing curtains at night traps that heat in your home, and you'll be able to turn the thermostat down and use less heating. Both of these methods reduce the strain on your home's heating and air conditioning system, saving significant energy and money.
Be aware that not all types of blinds will keep the cold out, slatted blinds won't but roller and roman blinds will, as long as they cover the whole window when they are closed.
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.
Whether to keep curtains open or closed is always a tricky decision. Leaving them closed during the day makes it look like there's no one at home so best to leave them open and get security lighting. Try not to leave valuable items, such as your TV, stereo or computer, where thieves can see them.
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.
Keeping the curtains open. People tend to keep curtains open during a day and close curtains when they leave a house. However, your house should never look unoccupied even if the property is empty. That's the reason why you have to leave your curtains open when you go away in the morning.
Curtains are not outdated. They are keeping up with the trends and can my used in modern as well as traditional interior design. Curtains are classic decorative and functional window treatments. They are multifunctional, versatile, affordable, and efficient to use for our windows.
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.