Keeping houses warm throughout the winter season may be difficult, especially because it is also expensive. Window coverings, in addition to heaters, thermostats, and other interior heating equipment, may provide sleek and stylish solutions while also being cost-effective. They help you save money on your heating costs by reducing the loss of energy from your home.
Curtains and blinds are two common window-covering options across the globe. They considerably reduce energy loss. While both are effective in retaining energy, each has advantages and disadvantages. Let us take a deeper look at each of them to see how efficient they are when it comes to saving energy.
Curtains
Curtains are sized-to-fit fabric window attachments for your interior space. They offer personalized touch and refinement to any space when hung from the rail. They give your space a unique personality and splendor that no other window covering can match. When pulled together, they can prevent a room from losing up to 10% of its heat throughout the winter. Hanging the curtain as soon as reasonably practicable to the window and securing it to the walls on both sides might result in a 25% reduction in heat loss.
The best energy-efficient curtains to use include thermal block-out curtains and triple weave design curtains. Thermal Blackout curtains are constructed entirely of polyester and are simple to care for. They can be quickly and easily cleaned using a machine and a wipeout. They are the ideal answer for an easier approach to reduce heat loss because they are thick and heavy.
If you would like to have fewer light gaps, use 100% block-out linings in dark hues. Triple weave design curtains are likewise made of 100% polyester and offer all of the same advantages as the Thermal Blackout curtains. Because of the triple weave pattern, the curtains are exceptionally heavy and dense, making them energy-efficient.
Here are some features of the best energy-efficient curtains:
- They offer reduced undesired light since the fabric’s thickness renders it an effective light-blocking material.
- Summer heat gain is reduced as the fabric allows for less heat gain throughout the summer.
- Noise reduction is achieved because the insulating drapes are thick, noise is reduced.
- Installation for these kinds of curtains is simple. When contrasted to other window treatments, installing curtains is a breeze. Because of the increased weight of the cloth, the thermal curtains require a thick pole, but they are considerably simpler to use in the winter than competing blinds.
Blinds
Blinds come in a wide range of patterns, designs, and colors, and there are long-lasting and energy-efficient choices for the winter. UV-filtering and energy-reflective roller blinds are available to assist regulate the energy in a space and they can also be used for any season.
Blinds are less difficult to maintain than curtains. Wiping down or vacuuming the slats on a regular basis makes maintenance even easier. Venetian blinds are excellent at preventing heat from exiting a space, making them a convenient and cost-effective alternative during the winter months. With the slats closed, they provide total seclusion as well as simplicity of maintenance.
It’s challenging to handle heat loss through window blinds given the many gaps in-between the slats. Nevertheless, the slats provide versatility in the summer since you can adjust them to reduce glare and solar heat gain, unlike with curtains. On a sunny day, highly reflecting blinds can minimize heat gain when entirely closed and lowered.
During the winter, the fabric layers in Roman Blinds help to minimize heat loss. This is a good alternative in contemporary times, with a wide range of designs and colors to select from. The honeycomb structure of cellular blinds traps heat, reducing and insulating the temperature within a space.
Curtains are more energy efficient
Both blinds and curtains may assist preserve heat by increasing the total insulation of your windows, leading to cheaper utility expenses in the winter. Curtains, however, have been proven to minimize heat loss by up to 37 percent during cold months, compared to the about 14 percent reduction in heat loss you could receive from blinds. The reason for this is because they lack the slats through which heat escapes.
Blinds won’t be the first option that springs to mind when it comes to energy efficiency. However, thanks to modern technology, blinds may now be regarded as a remedy for unnecessary light as well as a fantastic method to keep the heat in the house. Honeycomb blinds are the most insulating, with their honeycomb-shaped grid of air pockets.
Conclusion
Combining blinds and curtains would be excellent for getting the most benefits throughout the cold months. To your selection of blinds, such as the elegant roller blinds, you can add an extra layer of curtains.
Mix and match the two to create a perfect representation of oneself while effectively warding off the harsh winter winds. For a practical solution, choose thick, light-colored materials that touch the floor since they are beautiful and give a boost to your ambiance.
