Do Thermal Curtains Work?
Extreme weather is not fun to deal with, especially if you live in an area where it either gets too hot, too cold or possibly even where you experience both extremes! However, thermal curtains have been created just for these purposes so that you’re able to keep your home at the temperature that you like. But do they even work?
Thermal curtains work great as long as they’re the right size and installed correctly. Furthermore, you will need to address any significant insulation issues regarding your windows in order for your thermal curtains to do their best job. You can install them on your own or have a professional do it.
Since thermal curtains tend to be on the more expensive side, it’s understandable why you want to know whether they even work in the first place! You’ve come to the right place, where we will discuss this in detail.
Do Thermal Curtains Actually Work?
Thermal curtains have been scientifically proven to work! However, you have to make sure you’re buying the actual product and not a knock-off.
Energy-efficient window coverings can considerably lessen the amount of heat that passes through windows, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. According to their estimates, up to 30% of a home’s energy can escape through the windows.
Thermal drapes typically have multiple layers of fabric. These layers include a heat-blocking foam layer, as well as reflective film, and vapor-stopping fabric. These lined curtains work as a barrier against the cold and a heat trap.
What Exactly Are Thermal Curtains?
To keep air from getting into your residence through the windows, thermal curtains are made of additional fabric and have thick cushioning.
They feature many layers of materials to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Though there are other two- to four-layer draperies available, these curtains frequently have three layers.
The backing of these types of curtains consist of a lining that protects the rest of the curtain from the heat of the sunlight.This is what faces the window.
Vinyl, reflective films, and cotton fabrics are used to create backings. They shield the middle part as vapor barriers from the condensation around windows. But some curtains have four layers, which act as a vapor barrier. In the summer, light-colored backings are ideal since they reflect heat and light.
And within the center layer of the curtain is a heat-resistant fabric that can be made from wool, foam, or even thick cotton. The last layer that sits on your side of the window is typically made of silk, cotton, wool or polyester.
Do Thermal Curtains Protect Your Home From Heat?
Because of the way that thermal curtains are made, they protect your home from heat. Similar to how thermal curtains significantly cut down on heat loss via doors in the winter, they can likewise prevent warmth from entering a house in the summertime.
Can You Use Thermal Curtains As Insulation For Your Windows?
Thermal drapes are effective when used as insulation for your windows; that’s the whole point of why the were created in the first place.
High-quality curtains can preserve heat inside the house by reducing heat loss by about 40%, especially if they are floor length and adjacent to the wall and window panes.
The quantity of cross ventilation in between cold windows and the rest of the room is lessened by effective thermal curtains.
Does It Matter How You Install Thermal Curtains?
For thermal curtains to function appropriately, installation must be done correctly. They will stop the flow of heat or cold if they are set against the window the right way.
What Is The Best Way To Install Thermal Curtains?
Because it matters exactly how you install the thermal curtains, we decided we would point out the very basic concepts and steps in this article, so you can get the best experience.
- Ensure the textiles are in line with the window frames and that each side is completely sealed before you hang the curtains. Place the textiles close to the window frames and seal their bottoms, sides, and tops before hanging thermal curtains. They operate best on the window seal or floor and can limit thermal transmission by up to 19% when the window is closed correctly.
- Install a valance above your windows to control air intrusion. Use velcro, magnets, or magnetic tape to fasten the curtain to the window frame or nearby walls for the best results. Make sure your center curtain overlaps widely to prevent warm air from leaking through cracks and into the space. Use at minimum two layers of curtains to maximize the dead-air space’s thermal efficiency. This will also help you control light and air.
- Open your windows during the day when the sun is shining, especially during the winter. Additionally, moving your curtains will lessen moisture buildup on the windows. To enhance their insulation, close your curtains as soon as the sun sets.
- Cover windows that receive too much sunshine during the summertime. Draw the drapes on windows that receive a lot of sunshine throughout the day or when it’s hot outside. This prevents the coolness from fading from the sun’s rays and keeps the interior cooler.
Which is Better: Blackout Curtains or Thermal Curtains?
Choose blackout curtains if the primary problem is natural light, and the house is already well-insulated. Thermal curtains are preferable if the problem is drafty windows, but you don’t mind the light from outside. However, each curtain can help to at least somewhat lessen each difficulty.
How Much Money Can You Save With Thermal Curtains?
Utility bills can be reduced by up to 7% annually by using insulating your window coverings. While this number doesn’t seem very significant, it definitely adds up over time.
If every window is perfectly sealed with thermal curtains, you can even increase the amount you save if you can avoid running your air conditioner or heater for very long.
How Do You Choose A Good Thermal Curtain?
Here are some things to think about when looking for the best thermal curtains:
Fabric
There are many different types of materials for insulated curtains. Because they can endure moisture buildup in the space between the pane of glass and the drapes, polyester and microfiber are the preferred material for thermal curtains.
Consider The Size
A perfect curtain should be big enough to cover the entire window frame to effectively insulate. Insulated curtains are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 36 to 52 inches wide and 54 to 108 inches long.
Place the curtain pole close to the ceiling and allow the curtains to dangle to a height of about 1 inch over the floor if you want to add a contemporary touch.
Layers
Since thermal curtains insulate through numerous layers, the more layers your selected curtains have, the greater the heat insulation.
Heavy cotton batting or flannel are two heat-resistant materials composing the intermediate layer, which serves as the insulating layer.
For the best insulation during the summer, a thermal curtain should have at minimum two layers and it should utilize blackout technology. Make sure it blocks out at least 90% of sunlight.
What Are The Benefits Of Thermal Curtains?
Traditional curtains and drapes can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The energy loss in a room can be reduced by up to 25% with thermal curtains. This may not sound like much, but it can result in significant yearly energy cost savings.
Although the majority of homeowners use thermal curtains to help with their home’s heating demands in the winter, thermal drapes can be just as valuable for a hot, muggy summer. The sun must be totally blocked from entering your home for your thermal curtains to function well when it’s hot outdoors.
Therefore, you won’t be able to take full advantage of natural sunlight on a lovely summer day in your living room because thermal curtains will maximize your home’s energy efficiency.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Thermal Curtains?
While most homeowners can save some expense on their energy bills by using thermal curtains, they may not be the best purchase for every home.
In fact, installing new thermal drapes is unlikely to solve significant insulation difficulties for homeowners because their advantages are small when compared to a full-scale weatherproofing of their windows.
The use of thermal curtains is by no means your only choice if you want to insulate the windows in your house. Thermal curtains, however, might be a fantastic method to save some money if your windows are already quite well-insulated and you don’t mind leaving your curtains drawn throughout the day in some parts of your house.
Just be aware that windows that require severe weatherproofing won’t likely benefit from them, as these will probably need a more long-term fix.
Is There A Right Or Wrong Way To Use Thermal Curtains Once Installed?
Overall, thermal curtains offer a straightforward, cost-effective solution if you’ve discovered that your windows have a chilly draft in the winter or that your heating costs have been rising.
Choose a robust and well-made design, acquire the right size, and position the curtains near the windows for a tight seal if you want to get the most use out of them. The more tightly the curtains are sealed to the wall, the better they will work.
The drapes should be close to the ceiling, window, and floor. Additionally, install a valance to prevent the heat from the room from flowing over the edge of the drape if you are unable to hang them near the ceiling.
You will also want to raise your thermal curtains on sunny winter days to benefit from the warmth of the sun, but ensure to close them after the sun sets.
Open your curtains sometimes for a few hours, even during the colder winter months, to avoid moisture accumulation on the vapor barrier, which can encourage the formation of mildew. While the insulated curtains are still hanging, you can clean them by vacuuming them after spraying them with upholstery cleaning.
When used the correct way, you will experience the most benefit from your curtains, whether that’s keeping the heat or the cold out. They work effectively against both!
Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.
More by Heather Robbins
