What type of blinds provide best insulation? Top down bottom up cellular shades, vertical blinds, and honeycomb shades are the best types of blinds for providing insulation. They all have cells that trap air between them to keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Blinds insulate your home by trapping a layer of air between the fabric and the window when correctly measured and installed. This effectively seals the windows, preventing air from escaping through them. Pull up the blinds during the day for the best effect, allowing sunlight to warm the house.
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.
Blinds, shutters or curtains – whichever you prefer for your window coverings – can keep our house warmer in the cooler months by providing insulation to windows and regulating the temperature within our house.
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.
Created after the energy crisis of the late 1970s, cellular shades are the most energy efficient shade. The honeycomb cells are structured to trap air and provide insulation.
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.
Are blinds good insulation? Yes, blinds are good insulation for windows, regardless of the type of blind you use. This is because the closed blind forms a barrier (that is permeable to various extents depending on the blind), which helps to keep heat in, cold out, and to take the edge off draughts from rattly windows.
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.
Window blinds are just as beneficial in winter. If snug against the window frame, they greatly reduce heat loss. They can also be kept open during the day and closed at night, trapping heat and reducing the need to turn on your furnace.
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.
Warmer Environment During Winter
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.
A well fitted blind will reduce this loss figure by up to 16%, depending on the type and style of blind you choose. The BlocOut™ blind from Bloc Blinds has uniquely engineered side rails which will prevent heat loss through your window by up to an incredible 43%.
During this research, one company found that drawing your blinds in the evening can reduce heat loss by as much as 14%. And, if you decided to pair your blinds with curtains, you could further reduce this by an additional 17%. So yes, closing blinds really does help you to save energy!
The Bottom Line. If you are looking for something to Blackout light, we would recommend 100% Blackout curtains. However, if you need something to help reduce the heat loss in a room and not totally darken a room, we would recommend Thermal curtains.
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.
Panel blinds are a stylish thermal blind that are particularly useful as a sliding door or patio door covering. These blinds are made from fabric panels and are great as an insulating blind as they are usually made from a thicker material.
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.
Caulk around windows and doors
Caulk is an inexpensive way to seal windows for winter, and a few tubes go a long way. There is some skill involved with caulking and it might take a little while for you to develop the technique. Get the best look and results by using the right caulk.