Probably the best blinds to keep the heat in overall are Roman blinds; the good quality lined type. These are made of a very thick material, and are one solid piece of fabric without any gaps for air to get through. They'll be even more efficient at insulating if they come with a thermal blackout lining.
Alongside blocking out the light for some well-deserved rest, blackout blinds can help keep your room warm, as they're made from a thicker material. Available in roller, vertical or conservatory styles, as well as a whole range of colours and designs, they can be a great alternative to thermal blinds.
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 honest answer is all window blinds will help keep the cold out, if you use them properly. It is very simple, close your blinds in the early evening and leave them closed until the morning. This will keep as much heat inside your home as possible.
In the winter, if you have south-facing windows, let the light shine in. The sun will help heat your home naturally, which takes some pressure off your furnace. For other windows, keep blinds and curtains close during the winter to keep heat inside your home.
For the best effect you should pull up blinds during the day to allow sunlight in to warm the home. In the evening, as soon as the sun sets, the blinds can then be pulled down. With the blinds shut, warm air from the natural sunlight and your mechanical heaters won't escape from the home.
Fabric blinds are the most effective at keeping the cold out. Venetian blinds with slats, for example, are better for the summer because they allow heat to escape between the slats. Honeycomb blinds are a form of fabric roller blind that works well as both an insulator and a sun blocker.
In the cooler months, if you want to maintain a warmer temperature without letting in bright sunlight, it's best to close the blinds with the slats turned down. This would keep the rounded side of the blinds facing the room, helping direct the heat towards the center of the room to maintain a warmer temperature.
To maximize energy efficiency in your home, opt for top down bottom-up cellular shades, vertical blinds, and honeycomb shades. These materials provide excellent insulation by trapping air between the cells of the material and keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
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.
What percentage of heat is lost through windows? For most houses, windows typically account for 10% of total heat lost. Around two thirds of this is due to the radiation through the glazing. Air leakage tends to be the next biggest contributor especially from windows with poor insulation.
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.
Because blinds require slats to function, heat can easily escape through the slats. Whereas, curtains don't require slats so heat is easily maintained. The thicker the curtain is the more insulated they are. However, in summer, blinds are better than curtains for energy efficiency.
The best options for optimal energy savings are cellular, roller or roman shades. These window covering options are non-slated, so air cannot pass through as easily, creating an effective seal. Another fun fact about shades is that they can also absorb sunlight during the day.
Yes, very much so. Thermal blinds are a great pick for rooms that get horribly hot in summer, whether or not they also get overly cold in winter.
Window Insulation Film
Window insulation kits are a more affordable way to insulate multiple windows. Using heat control window film doesn't interfere with the look of your windows. Leaving up to 1-inch space from the window frame border, apply adhesive tape to the entire window.
Remember that upward facing blinds do best when you are “up” and awake during the daytime hours; downward facing blinds are best when you are “down” and ready to go to sleep during the nighttime hours.
Cracks in Walls, Windows and Doors
Around 38% of heat loss in your home comes from cracks in your walls, windows and doors (often invisible to the naked eye). In fact, a ⅛ inch gap under a 36-inch wide door will let as much cold air into your home as a 2.4 inch hole through your wall.
Visual gaps around outlets and fixtures
Gaps and holes in your home provide entryways for outside air to enter. These gaps can be spotted quickly… look for gaps where walls and floors meet (especially on exterior walls), around electrical outlets, and where fans and recessed lighting connect to the ceiling.
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.
Which colour of blinds are best to keep your home cool in summer? Light-coloured blinds, particularly white are the best choice for keeping your home cool in summer. Dark coloured blinds, especially black blinds, can have the opposite effect.