Over the past couple of years, there’s been a heightened awareness of smart ways to improve insulation in houses. With rising energy prices making heating a winter luxury, and ever hotter summers making it hard to sleep at night, it’s become impossible to ignore potentially useful solutions.
Here, we go through one of the most frequently overlooked yet most effective ways of increasing energy efficiency – thermally insulating curtains – taking a look at some of the best options to keep your house cool in the summer, and warm during winter.
Thermally insulated curtains
Obviously, the most effective curtains when it comes to energy efficiency are those which are specially lined with an insulating fabric. These linings can either be bought already integrated into the curtains, or if you have a design or fabric that you already love, you can add the lining onto that. These linings are generally made from special materials that prevent thermal energy from transferring for as long as possible.
Wool curtains
While specially insulated curtains will obviously be the most effective, there are other options besides those. It probably won’t come as much of a surprise that thick wool curtains from suppliers such as Woodyatt Curtains are a good option if you’re looking to maintain as stable a temperature as possible in your home. Just the fabric type won’t be enough – you’ll also want to go with a tight weave, so there’s a good air barrier between the curtain and the window pane.
Velvet
Velvet curtains are another great option if you’re looking for a naturally insulating curtain. It’s thick, and the weave is typically quite dense, meaning that it can effectively block even the draftiest of windows. Not only are they practically effective, but they also add to quite a warm atmosphere. After all, it’s a little bit harder to feel the cold when your room is partially wrapped in rich, plush fabric.
Thick cotton
Cotton is one of the most common fabric types, and while a lot of the examples we see in our day-to-day life aren’t of the highest quality, if you get some good, thick cotton curtains, they can be great at increasing your house’s energy efficiency. The best options will have multiple layers, with air gaps between them trapping the heat.
Layered curtains
Ultimately, when it comes to insulation, the more layers of fabric the better. As a result, it can be very effective to use layered curtains; every added layer, no matter how thin, will help to trap a little extra air, helping to increase the thermal efficiency of your home.
In addition to your choice of fabric, it’s important that you fit your curtains to the window properly. This is vital, as it ensures that they’re able to create a proper air barrier between the outside and the inside. Even with the thickest, most energy-efficient fabric possible, if it only covers half the window, it won’t do you any good at all. With the right fabric and the right fit, however, you’ll experience incredibly impressive results.