Have you wondered if your curtains can block cold and warm your space?
Choosing curtains is about more than the aesthetic of your room. They are a great way to keep your area warm in winter and keep those pesky utility bills down. You will need to consider the fabric of your thermal curtains, their size, and how well they fit. If you have a radiator, you will need to work around this to choose the best thermal curtains.
Curtains can help insulate your space and regulate the temperature in your room. But you need to select the right one for the job.
In This Article We'll Discuss
Can Curtains Block Cold?
Keeping your house warm in winter can be as simple as installing the right curtains. Thermal curtains are a great way to insulate your home.
They help your house keep heat by creating a barrier between the windows and the rest of the room. Thermal curtains create an air gap trapping cold air between the curtain and the windows. This keeps warm air in the rest of the room. Cloth is a poor conductor of heat. This is ideal in a curtain as you don’t want the heat to transfer from one space to the next.
Using thermal curtains helps stop draughts. When paired with sheer curtains, they can help you take advantage of thermal heat.
Do Curtains Provide Any Insulation?
The simple answer is yes, the right curtain does provide insulation for your home.
Curtains made of one layer of fabric will not get the job done. Instead, you must invest in a thermal curtain to keep your home warm and toasty. Thermal curtains have four layers of fabric designed for keeping warmth in. With this design, a thermal curtain can help reduce heat loss in your home by up to 25%.
They have a decorative outer fabric which is the pretty one you will see in your space. Then there is a thermal material which is often a foam, felt, or even flannel or cotton batting. These insulating materials will help your curtains keep your space warm. Behind the thermal layer is a backing. This fabric protects the other layers from the sun. There is also a vapor barrier layer.
To provide the best heat retention, a floor-length curtain is best. Some thermal curtains have a magnetic strip that helps them fit close to your windows. This helps keep warmth inside your space and traps the cold air behind the curtain. When choosing a thermal curtain, it is essential to pick the right fabric with several layers. Tightly woven fabrics like velvet, suede, tweed, and tapestry fabric work well for insulation.
A pelmet is an excellent addition to your thermal curtains that will help your room retain heat better. It stops warm air from escaping through the top of the curtain, making your room warmer.
Do Curtains Regulate Temperature?
Curtains can help you regulate the temperature in your space. Air is constantly trying to equalize itself. So if you trap cold air between the curtain and the window, it will keep your room warm. When cold air escapes around the curtain, it can make the temperature of your room colder.
Are Curtains Warmer than Blinds?
Curtains are warmer than blinds, depending on how well they fit. Curtains that are floor-to-ceiling and insulated will keep your space warmer. Curtains that are short, thin, and don’t fit well will not provide adequate insulation.
Vertical blinds can keep your room warm, particularly when they are made from vinyl or wood. When properly fitted, they create a seal over the window. This effectively traps cold air between the window and the blind. This will keep your room warmer. Blinds often don’t seal well and allow draughts to make your room colder. Blinds also contain one material layer, whereas a thermal curtain has four.
Do Dark Curtains Make a Room Cooler?
Blackout curtains can make your room cooler and reduce heat transferral up to 24%. Dark curtains can trap heat inside your room and make your space warmer.
Do Curtains Block Heat From Radiators?
Radiators can be an effective way of heating your space. But if you install your curtains incorrectly, your radiator will be useless.
Radiators are often placed underneath the window. This is a problem when choosing how to hang your curtains. For example, if you install long curtains covering your radiator, your room will not warm up. If you use a shorter curtain that rests above the radiator, it will work better.
Curtains trap air between the window and the back of the curtain. By putting your curtains over your radiator, you trap warm air between the curtain and the window. This prevents it from reaching the rest of the space.
What to Expect When Adding Curtains for Insulation
When adding thermal curtains to your space, there are a few things to look out for:
- First, you will want to look at the R-value of your curtains. This is the insulating property of your curtains. Regular curtains have an R-value of 1, while thermal curtains can have an R-value of as high as 6. Obviously, the higher the R-value, the warmer space will be.
- The type of curtain is also essential. If you choose a lower-performance curtain with thin fabric and one layer, the warm air will flow behind the curtain and create a draught. This will mean your space loses heat, and your curtains will be ineffective.
- Consider adding a pelmet to your thermal curtains. This helps trap warmth and prevent it from escaping.
- Your thermal curtains should be floor length to maximize the heat retention properties. They should also have at least two layers of fabric but preferably four.
- The size of your curtain also matters. You want a curtain that fits your window. It should give you extra inches above the frame and reach the floor. This creates a tighter seal over your windows, preventing cold air from escaping.
- You also want a curtain rod that keeps the curtains close to the windows and doesn’t allow for a big air gap.
- You can expect to pay a hefty price for thermal curtains as they are more expensive than normal ones. But remember, these are investments and will keep your monthly heating bills down.
Curtains Can Warm Up your Space and Save you Money
Thermal curtains are a great way to improve the heat retention of your space. They will also save you money every month. There is no need to endure another frosty winter if you choose the right thermal curtains for your space.
Do you have large windows that need covering? Does your area need some thermal curtains to warm it up? Hopefully, you found some helpful advice to help you choose the best thermal curtains for your room.