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.
Although they do not provide a substantial amount of insulation, pairing them with a block out or roller blind will give you absolute control over the insulation of your room without sacrificing the attractive design of your home.
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.
If you want to use blinds to stay warm this winter, the choice is endless. However, blinds will only retain heat when they are not slatted, so roller and roman blinds should be at the top of your shopping list.
When blinds are closed with the slats turned up and the rounded side facing out, the heat is directed towards the ceiling, which helps keep the room cooler. This is the ideal position for blinds in the hotter months.
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.)
Smart Home Cooling Tips. 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.
Closing window blinds can also save energy in the winter. During cold winter nights, heat is lost through windows. Closing the blinds adds some insulation to the windows, reducing heat loss during cold periods. Some blinds also reflect heat back into the room.
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.
With high quality fittings and fabrics a blackout roller blind will help prevent heat loss through the window when fully 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.
Cellular Shades. Cellular shades, or honeycomb shades, are one of the most energy efficient window coverings you can buy. They use a series of honeycomb-like cell pockets to trap air around your windows, keeping your rooms warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Zebra blinds are the best insulators against cold and keep heat from escaping. Thus, they reduce your energy bills over the long run.
Sealing up any cracks and crevices around the edges of windows and doors can be very effective in reducing cool air loss. Install newer insulation: Like sealing air leaks works for preventing both warm and cool air escaping, so does newer insulation in the home.
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.
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.
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.
Thermal Blackout Blinds
Not only will they block out unwanted light they will help lower heat loss and prevent heat build-up. As these blinds are typically roller styles they to are most effective when pulled down.
But what's the difference between blackout and thermal curtains? In short, blackout curtains are primarily designed to blackout a room by reducing the amount of light that can enter through the window. Thermal curtains, on the other hand, are primarily designed to reduce heat loss from a room's windows.
Thermal Blinds are also a great way to save money on your home's energy costs. They are designed to trap heat in the home and to prevent it from escaping so you need to use the heating and air conditioning systems less often. It's estimated you can save 10-25% on your annual energy bill with thermal blinds.
Whether you call them thermal blinds, energy-saving or energy-efficient blinds, they all have one thing in common – they have special properties that direct heat back into a room instead of letting it escape through the windows.
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.