Should I get curtains?

leeruddecology

Hi in my living room I have 3 windows the biggest of which is 2m wide and about 1.9m high. The other two combined equal about the same. All of which have the papery thin blinds

My windows nearly cover the length of my living room and are double glazed. My kitchen and living room are open plan with the kitchen at the North with no windows.

They are also south facing and I'm on a second floor flat, although it's a garage beneath my home.

I notice every day my other rooms bedrooms and bathrooms are generally 18 degrees in the morning while my living room is typically 16 degrees. This was the case before the heating went on a week or so back.

I have blinds in the living room and I wondered if these are poor insulators of heat. Should I put up curtains as well? I would have to get a rail etc.

I live in the South East. I've also used 8 kWh for hot water and heat in the past 24hrs!! My thermostats are set to 16 degrees in each room and the water is set to 55degrees.

My living room does increase by a couple of degrees throughout the day.

Nada666

Yes it would be worth using curtains - not so much for the drop by morning but for the fact that they will keep more heat in when your heating is on so will cost you less to keep the room at your chosen temperature.

(Blinds to me are simply a way to direct sunlight during the day (and eyes)).

(Although I am sure thermal blinds are available nowadays as an alternative - depends on your decor (and architecture) which is more suitable - most prefer the homeliness of curtains.)

Richie-from-the-Boro

Help Yourself - Heat Loss Reduction Values are ish !

- secondary glazing + insulated shutters 77%
- secondary glazing + heavy curtains 66%
- stand alone insulated shutters 60%
- double-glazing 55%
- honeycomb blinds 36%
- modern insulated roller blinds 22%

marleyboy

I have blinds and curtains for the same reason. Curtains act as a good insulator so long as they are heavy enough.

leeruddecology

Very interesting posts. Thanks.

I'm thinking I need to get some lined curtains.

I'm so seeing what Heat loss reduction would be for double glazing, heavy curtains and them papery blinds. I'm assuming double glazing (55%) is better than secondary glazing alone. So if secondary glazing and heavy curtains is 66%. It must be much higher. But It looks as if insulated blinds would be better than heavy curtains. Hmmm

Ken68

The ideal is EXTERIOR insulated shutters, not only to preserve heat but also reduce condensation on the inside of the windows.

Smiley_Dan

Yes, exterior shutters are best.

Generally speaking, blinds are better than curtains because they can achieve a closer fit to the window by fitting them in the recess and don't have gathers which allow for convection currents. Look for "Duette" honeycomb blinds which can be had for very sensible prices online.

@leeruddecology, if you are interested in Richie's post I think it was mostly taken from http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/gcu-technical-_thermal-efficiency-traditional-windows.pdf which is the most oft cited paper. Lots of good stuff there.

leeruddecology

Thanks smiley Dan.

I have vertical blinds at the moment that do sit back in a recess.

I can see how external shutters would be good but not really viable in my rented flat. Stops the cold getting through the window. I guess soon as it's through the window it's going to cause some heat reduction even if their are blinds or curtains etc. so can defo see the value so many when I own my own place.

I am looking into getting lined curtains. I was wondering how much overhang I should there be. 10 of curtain either side of window? Any recommendations on where to go. The range seems to have some good curtains rails. Metal vs wood hmm.

My windows go to floor so I'm assuming that's good as I can reduce the energy going up and behind the curtain. This is especially poiniant as I have underfloor heating.

SailorSam

I think curtains make a world of difference helping keep in the warmth. I've got blinds all around and except for the kitchen & bathroom i've also got curtains.

Smiley_Dan

You have to minimise all gaps around the curtain.

Ideally you'd not have vertical blinds - the continual breaks for each panel of blind reduces their effectiveness.

Richie-from-the-Boro

The curtains are little to do about the curtain and all to do about the linings, you can even buy retrofit linings. At the end of the day you get what you pay for [avoid eyelet] a pleat track with pleat curtains and pleat liners will minimise heat loss and allow for however many curtain changes you want because the liners do the real work - thicker liner is better.