For heavy-duty heat blocking, you'll want thermal drapes that are made with thick materials like polyester and microfiber. These also resist moisture and will minimize it from accumulating in between the window and curtain.
The best fabric to keep heat out of your home is a triple-woven fabric. Many thermal curtains use two layers of this material and work well to keep the room cool. Just because thermal curtains are thick doesn't mean they'll make your home dark; you can find this fabric in many colors and prints.
Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases.
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.
When it comes to choosing a curtain, color can make a big difference. Darker colors absorb more radiant heat from the sun's rays, while lighter colors reflect light.
Blackout curtains and shades will reduce the amount of heat which is transferred via your windows by as much as 24 percent, keeping the rooms where they're installed cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This will allow you to use your heating and cooling system more efficiently and save energy.
White or light coloured curtains and blinds are better at reflecting heat and light away from your home. If you have thick, dark curtains, closing them will only trap heat in the room.
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.
Curtains and Drapes
Studies have found that medium-colored draperies with white plastic backings can reduce heat gain by 33 percent, the DOE says. Hang the curtains as close to windows as possible.
Keep out the cold during the colder months - in the same way thermal curtains can keep your rooms cooler during the summer time, they will also insulate your windows throughout the colder months and minimise the amount of heat that may escape from your windows.
Thermal curtains are an extra layer of insulation you can use to make your home more energy efficient. The best thermal curtains consist of multiple layers of fabric with thick padding that prevents air from circulating from your window into your home.
Yes! Thermal curtains work effectively during both winter and summer. Medium- to light-colored curtains with a white, thermally reflective backing can reduce heat gain during the summer by as much as 33% by reflecting solar radiation. The orientation of the window also affects energy efficiency.
Do Solar Shades Keep Heat and Cold Out? Solar shades can help reduce heat in a window, but they will not block cold. They reduce heat by blocking the amount of sunlight coming into a space, and making the windows more energy efficient.
While, yes, thermal curtains can reduce light by up to 90% and insulate against heat, it's important to note that not all thermal options are alike. For the best insulation, look for a thermal curtain that has at least two layers, triple-woven fabric, and blackout technology to eliminate light and even noise.
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.
Insulated curtains are energy efficiency systems that help prevent heat transfer, block light and dampen noise. They're made up of four layers: A core layer of high-density foam that insulates your windows from heat and sound exchanges. A vapor barrier to keeps the foam from absorbing moisture.
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.
Select blinds that will suit your needs
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.
The benefits are significant. Honeycomb shades can block heat about as well as a 1/8 inch sheet of insulated foam. Their R-value (or, their ability to insulate against heat flow) ranges between 2 and 5.
The air pockets in the honeycomb cross-sections act as insulators, increasing the R-value and reducing the conduction of heat through the window.