Whenever winter knocks at your doorstep, most homeowners are searching for some practical and pocket-friendly solutions to make their homes warm and fresh. One so-far underrated solution for homeowners is the thermal curtains that not only increase the comfort ability of your home but also enhance its energy efficiency by holding out cold air and keeping the warmth inside.
In this article, we will generally present how thermal curtains work, why they are a good investment, and how to select the ones that suit you best.
What Are Thermal Curtains?
Thermal curtains, also known as insulated curtains, consist of fabrics used to either block or limit heat and cold from coming inside your home from the outside through your windows. Unlike ordinary curtains that only enhance the aesthetic value, thermal curtains are multi-layered fabrics aimed to achieve aesthetic as well as functional ends.
How Do Thermal Curtains Work?
Thermal curtains are made using a special lining. Foam or flannel is often used to make the lining, which helps to keep things warm in your room by preventing the window and the room from directly communicating with each other. Here’s how these work to keep your home warm:
- Keep Cold Air Out: Curtains to keep cold out with windows and entrance to cold air, most cold drafts often enter your house. These curtains will act like a shield in blocking the cold air from entering your house. The resultant effect of this is preventing constant heating and keeping your room warm at an ideal temperature.
- Retain the Warmth Within: Thermal curtains prevent cold air from entering into the room, thereby retaining the warmth produced within your home. Whether the warmth emanates from a fireplace or a central heating unit, it stays within for much longer periods than it would have otherwise, since no cold draughts are coming into the room and making it lose the heat, to continue making the space warm and cozy, thus saving that energy.
- Energy Efficiency: Thermal curtains will keep your heating system less stressed hence consume fewer amounts of energy to heat and consequently less money spent heating your rooms. Some researchers have even shown that when windows are given the correct window treatment in the form of thermal curtains, a house can save up to 25% in heating costs.
Selecting the Correct Thermal Curtains for Keeping the Chilly Air out
To shop for curtains that help to keep out cold, some attention to certain features would be necessary in particular if you want the maximum efficiency possible. Here is a brief guide on what to look for:
Layering and Insulation
Choose curtains that have layers. The outer layer should be a heavy, closely woven material – polyester, velvet, or suede. The inner layer is what can give you the warmth inside, thick, dense, made of materials like foam or thermal lining. These two layers together provide you with an insulation barrier that keeps out cold air.
Size and Fit
The huge curtains ought to be long enough that it drapes over your window, including the edges of the frame. Generally, non-fitting thermal curtains won’t do very well and let the cold air leak due to gaps. Ideally, the curtains should reach a few inches beyond the edge of the window frame in order to cover it all up.
Style and Functionality
While thermal curtains are very practical, you don’t need to compromise on looks. Today, the market provides such a diversity of designs, colors, and textures that you can easily get something matching your interior.
Many more thermic curtains also feature blackout abilities or soundproofing, which may offer extra benefits to your living space.
Thermal Curtains Keeping Out Heat
Thermal curtains aren’t for winter only! Thermal curtains can be very helpful to keep out oppressive heat during summer. If you are looking for curtains that repel the heat, thermal curtains can be of help to you in a double sense, as they keep in the heat during the warmer months so you save costs on cooling and get a pleasant indoor climate inside your house.
Thermal curtains that keep out heat while temperatures rise during warm periods through doors and windows. It works very well with windows taking straight sun rays for a larger proportion of the day. Just like in winter, thermal curtains control indoor temperatures, and thus your cooling system doesn’t have to work beyond its capacity in trying to cool your house.
Benefits of Using Thermal Curtains All Year Round
There are so many utilities of thermal curtains that save you money as a homeowner during heating and cooling seasons. The following are the year-round benefits you can look forward to:
- Energy Savings: Be it cold outside or sizzling hot, thermal curtains minimize heating or cooling that is too extravagant, hence reducing your energy bill.
- Warmth: Your home appears warm and snuggly regardless of the season since the curtains are draught-free and maintain a constant inner temperature.
- Shielding UV rays: Though the material of thermal curtain is thick, it shields your upholstery and the flooring from the toxic UV rays that decrease fading out and lasts longer.
How to Get the Maximum Performance from Your Thermal Curtains
The right way to use thermal curtains is the only way to get the best out of them. Here’s how you can do it:
- Close the Curtains at Night: One thing with thermal curtains is that they ought to be closed on those cold nights of winter to preserve the heat inside and prevent draughts from entering the room. In summer, close them once in a while during the day when the sun is hot and high.
- Layering of your curtains increases insulation: you can layer them with other window coverings such as blinds or shades.
- Sealing your windows: Thermal curtains do their magic, but they function well only if you use sealed windows. When using thermal curtains, ensure that the windows are properly insulated so as not to leak or have drafts.
Conclusion
Thermal curtains are smart solutions that keep your homes warmer during winter and cooler during summer, consuming energy conservatively. Thermal curtains can make your living space cozier while saving you money on energy bills by having the right curtains put in to keep the cold out and the heat out of curtains. From preparations for the impending cold season to just blocking the summer heat, a perfect balance of style, comfort, and functionality is provided by thermal curtains.
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