Thermal blackout roller blinds - any advice about these?

RainbowsInTheSpray

Hello guys. We've just put in new ordinary curtains across our window recesses and the thought is occurring about whether to install some thermal material, blackout roller blinds behind these, actually into the recesses and closer to the windows themselves.

My query is as to whether these are actually very efficient at blocking heat loss. Has anyone any experience of them?

shiraz99

Don't have any experience with thermal roller blinds but thermal curtains and roman blinds and yes they do have an affect. The window, regardless of how well it's glazed is one of the cooler spots of a room so anything done to insulate the the better. Do you have a radiator below the window, are your curtains full length or just t the window sill?

fenwick458

They work well for me in summer keeping the room cool, but not sure they would be very effective at keeping heat in. I'd say it would make a difference but it's going to be a small %

BUFF

You can also get cellular/honeycomb blinds which are supposed to be insulating.
If standard sizes & colours suit you IKEA is a good starting point.
https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/cat/pleated-cellular-blinds-700225/

RainbowsInTheSpray

shiraz99 said:

Don't have any experience with thermal roller blinds but thermal curtains and roman blinds and yes they do have an affect. The window, regardless of how well it's glazed is one of the cooler spots of a room so anything done to insulate the the better. Do you have a radiator below the window, are your curtains full length or just t the window sill?

Yes, generally the set up is that each window has a radiator 'starting' just below its sill with the curtains reaching down to a couple of centimetres below the top of the radiator The usual disastrous situation, I'm afraid! This is very much why I'm seeking the advice.

twopenny

Poller blinds will have a gap at each end streaming the cold through because of the width of the mechanism
Roman blinds fit better but may block out some light at the top of the window.

I've used detachable thermal blackout curtain linings for decades with very good effect.
I push the curtains onto the sill at the bottom when closed. This works very well letting the heat go into the room.
It may not look beautiful but if you want to be warm and get value from your fuel - then if you're having visitors you don't do that for appearance sake

In milder weather the lining is easily removed and stored. Or retain it to deflect heat. 

shiraz99

RainbowsInTheSpray said:

shiraz99 said:

Don't have any experience with thermal roller blinds but thermal curtains and roman blinds and yes they do have an affect. The window, regardless of how well it's glazed is one of the cooler spots of a room so anything done to insulate the the better. Do you have a radiator below the window, are your curtains full length or just t the window sill?

Yes, generally the set up is that each window has a radiator 'starting' just below its sill with the curtains reaching down to a couple of centimetres below the top of the radiator The usual disastrous situation, I'm afraid! This is very much why I'm seeking the advice.

I'd get some Roman blinds in that case as they'll fit the window a bit better and keep the heat from the radiator from going up into the window as you have it now.

[Deleted User]

@RainbowsInTheSpray i have some here and yes they do keep colder air from coming into the room.

Mine are recessed fitting as no room for outside mounted, if you have the space either side go for outside the frame as it would do an even better job.

Blackout and thermal will keep the hot air from coming into the room in summer too - so these blinds are why i choose to have them everywhere here.
They're an excellent investment.

rob7475

I've installed Bloc blinds in a couple of rooms in my house. They are total blackout as the top of the blind and the sides sit in a casette so no light escapes. I'd imagine they provide some thermal advantage. They claim up to stop up to 43% of heat escaping through the window on their website but I don't know how accurate that is.

https://www.blocblinds.co.uk/?bgredirect=1

fenwick458

I have cassetted blinds, theres a frame that fits in the recess so it's completely sealed 
https://www.blocblinds.co.uk/window_blinds/blocout_info?source=nav

Eldi_Dos

Would the Bloc blinds be recommended for keeping a bedroom dark and cool in the summer for say a shiftworker?