Wider Thermal Curtains

FreeBear

Heat loss through a suspended timber floor is something in the region of 10-15% (in a totally uninsulated property). As you improve the thermal performance of the roof, walls, and windows, this percentage increases.. But to lift a floor to insulate underneath is a major task, made more difficult if you have tongue & groove boards. And where you have a staircase to contend with, the difficulty increases.

I have a late 1920s home, and have insulated the loft (300mm+), fitted new windows & doors all round, and slowly insulating the solid brick walls on the upper half (bottom half is cavity). Not an easy task, but the one room that has been insulated so far is much, much warmer. Insulating under the floorboards is something I'm going to have to leave. Instead, a mix of 5mm woodfibre boards (laminate underlay) and thick foam underlay plus carpet is helping to keep the heat in.

Danny30

@FreeBear one last question. If I change the poll to eyelet curtains, then would you think the 228cm eyelet curtains would be wide enough? pole length is around 285 cm. I assume so as 2 x 228cm would be 4.56m of curtain?

Northern_Wanderer

Danny30 said:

@FreeBear one last question. If I change the poll to eyelet curtains, then would you think the 228cm eyelet curtains would be wide enough? pole length is around 285 cm. I assume so as 2 x 228cm would be 4.56m of curtain?

You need 1.5 - 2 times the width of pole for curtains depending on the fullness of gather required. Pencil pleat curatins are limited in options as most are eyelet nowadays. Eyelets let in more light around the gaps usually. If you get a new pole, you have to allow for stacking the curtain at sides, not always good to replicate current pole as most people make mistakes here. Most curtain retailers have very informative guides to help you get the right size of pole and curtains. Also, the placemet of the pole and brackets is important for the best look. Another suggestion could be to buy two sets of curtains and find a seamstress to join two curtains together. This could be a saving as made-to-measure can be extortionate.

RedFraggle

On wide windows where I don't need a large drop I usually buy 2 pairs of smaller curtains. Tends to also give better access to a bit of fresh air at night in the summer as I can leave gaps where opening windows are. 

Danny30

Thank you for the above. I can't seem to find a eyelet curtain rail that is suitable for bay windows that allows 2 curtains to fully open and close. We made that mistake in my daughters room and the curtain doesn't close past the brackets.

Would something like this be sufficient 

Ashton 4m Eyelet Metal Bay Pole Dia. 28mm | Dunelm

Northern_Wanderer

Danny30 said:

Thank you for the above. I can't seem to find a eyelet curtain rail that is suitable for bay windows that allows 2 curtains to fully open and close. We made that mistake in my daughters room and the curtain doesn't close past the brackets.

Would something like this be sufficient 

Ashton 4m Eyelet Metal Bay Pole Dia. 28mm | Dunelm

You will need to get a pole that fits your bay window dimensions. Also, with the extra weight of big curtains / thermal linings, you will have to check the pole is strong enough to hold the extra weight.

https://thehomeofinteriors.co.uk/product-category/curtain-poles/bay-window-curtain-poles/page/2/?orderby=price 

has some good guides about measuring etc and if you call them they can help advise. I have bought fromn them before.