While shutters do not have a cosy aesthetic, we find that many of our customers love the contemporary aesthetic of shutters. It is also worth noting that shutters generally have a more substantial price tag than curtains. Ultimately, shutters are better insulators against hot and cold weather than curtains.
The University of Newcastle School of Engineering compared the most popular types of window coverings and learned that shutters provide up to 10% more insulation than curtains.
Do shutters keep your house warmer? Yes, by ensuring your keeping your home insulated your home becomes much warmer and you rely less on heating and rising energy bills to keep your home warm. A warm room will remain warmer for longer with less energy if draughts and areas of heat loss are reduced in the home.
In fact, it has been found that having insulted interior window shutters can reduce heat loss by approximately 50%. Saving you a few more pennies to spend on yourself at the end of each month. So, are shutters good for insulation? The answer is a resounding yes!
While shutters do not have a cosy aesthetic, we find that many of our customers love the contemporary aesthetic of shutters. It is also worth noting that shutters generally have a more substantial price tag than curtains. Ultimately, shutters are better insulators against hot and cold weather than curtains.
Solution 1: Solid shutters
When closed, the traditional solid shutter will arguably be the best window covering you can install to reduce heat loss.
“Studies have shown that wooden window shutters are much more effective at reducing heat loss through a window than curtains or blinds.
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.
Warm protection shutters have always been considered a good option in terms of energy efficiency, keeping your rooms warmer than curtains. And there's sound logic behind people using shutters in winter. When in the closed position, fitted shutters can reduce heat loss through windows by over 50%.
Do all houses need shutters? Absolutely not, and many, many houses would look much better without shutters, rather than with “today's” shutters. What do we mean by that? For starters, many shutters today serve no purpose, other than to add an accent color, and to fill in space around windows.
Plantation shutters are one of the best window treatments for controlling sun and heat. We recommend them for rooms that are challenging to keep cool in the summer, like south-facing rooms and sunrooms.
Low-Emissivity Coatings. Low-emissivity (low-e) coatings on glass control heat transfer within the insulated glazing. Windows manufactured with low-e coatings typically cost about 10% to 15% more than regular windows, but they reduce energy loss by as much as 30% to 50%.
White window shutters reflect light and radiant heat, making them an excellent choice for blocking heat. On hot days, white shutters will help cool your home. On the other hand, black shutters absorb light and heat. These shutters will block light, but they will hold on to heat.
The Best Curtains for Room Insulation
The most suitable winter fabric options include blockout curtains and triple weave curtains, both of which have great insulating properties. Blockout curtains offer 100 per cent room darkening, which can be ideal for bedrooms, where natural light may hinder sleep.
But if it's rainy the loss shoots up to 20 per cent. And if it's windy and rainy, expect a massive 30 per cent heat loss. And do not underestimate the power of curtains. Drawing the blinds at dusk can reduce heat loss by 13-14 per cent and curtains from 15-17 per cent, Richard reveals.
Thermal curtains can work as a short-term solution to help keep cold air from leaking through air leaks around your windows in winter. They help trap cold air drafts behind multiple layers of fabric to keep it from moving around the room. However, you do have to keep them closed for thermal curtains to be effective.
Shutters are better than blinds if you're looking for a more durable way to dress your windows, especially if the windows are arched or rounded. Equally, shutters might be the best choice over blinds if you want to add kerb appeal or potentially increase the value of your home.
How do shutters help prevent heat gain? Unlike curtains, internal shutters help by reflecting some of the sun's energy away from the room.
– A roller blind reduced heat loss by 22%. ' – Curtains however only reduced heat loss by 14%. – Shutters were the clear stand out winner with a whopping 51% reduction in heat loss.
Shutters should be avoided on double-mulled windows, picture windows, bay windows, and most dormer windows. Can't afford to replace the shutters? Simply adding shutter hardware is a little detail that goes a long way. A home with properly sized shutters.
Cellular (honeycomb) shades are the best shades for providing insulation. Their innovative design traps air at the window, keeping a room warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Faux Wood Shutters are the most energy efficient shutter option. They are made of PVC or vinyl with a hollow core, which creates an air pocket that resists heat transfer.