While curtains are usually used to shore up your privacy and enhance the home ambiance, they can be used for much more. Installing curtains with thermal insulation can help you save tons in energy bills.
To put things into perspective, they reduce the amount of heat entering the house during summers and come winters, serve as an insulator between the cold outside air and the warm inside air. Such an efficient mechanism prevents you from burning excess energy/electricity for temperature regulation at your home.
How Efficient Are Insulated Curtains?
While thermal protection is provided by simply closing your standard curtains, the density of the fabric distinguishes standard curtains from energy-efficient curtains. Not only do energy-saving curtains (made of high-thread density fabrics) keep draughts and cold air out of your home, but they also keep the heat and warm air in.
Typically, insulated curtains are normal curtains supplemented with additional curtain lining material. This layering, like double-glazed windows, creates thermal air pockets.
While standard curtains can reduce heat loss by 15%, full-coverage thermal curtains are seen to reduce heat loss by as high as 25%.
Types Of Energy-Saving Curtains
Energy-efficient curtains are generally made up of several layers. The outermost layer contains a decorative fabric that complements the home décor and heat-insulation materials such as foam, heavy polyester, or cotton flannel in the middle layer.
While some host special room-darkening properties, others have an inbuilt vapor barrier to prevent moisture from accumulating between the window and the room.
All this said, Wool is a great place to start when it comes to choosing the right fabric for your energy-saving curtains. Wool curtains are timeless and are associated with a comfortable living room or bedroom.
Moreover, many fabrics can be transformed into thermally insulated curtains by using curtain lining material. Curtain linings are generally made of polyester and cotton fabric and effectively increase the opacity and insulation of your curtains without adding weight.
Maintenance Of Insulated Curtains
If you\'re about to buy curtains online, it makes sense to know the maintenance hassles that come with installing them. Some of the more common techniques include vacuuming the curtain regularly to prevent discoloring from dust and other airborne particles and opening the curtains regularly to allow any accumulated moisture to dissipate.
A damp cloth or upholstery cleaner can be used to clean foam-backed curtains. They can also be washed by hand after being removed from the rods. Other thermal window coverings can be washed in the washing machine, cold water, and gentle cycles.
Moreover, light fabrics such as cotton and polyester blends can be dried in the clothes dryer on low heat or air to prevent shrinkage. It is highly advisable to hang them to dry in the shade. On the other hand, heavy draperies should be strictly dry-cleaned.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when thermal curtains used to be dull, drab, and plastic-backed window treatments. A variety of fabrics, textures, and weaves complement any décor you come up with. They make your windows the charming corner of the room while also lowering your energy bills.
Also, when you\'re going through window curtains online, bear in mind that vintage properties, especially those having single glazed windows or sash windows with gaps around the frame, benefit greatly from well-fitted, well-insulated curtains.