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May
17
Winter Warmth
May 17, 2007 |
Even though we are now in May and the temperature is rising, there’s never been a better time to get your home as energy efficient as possible (besides, the following ideas will help hide the current grey skies!). As everybody is aware, the utility companies keep increasing the cost of keeping your home warm and there is a general consensus that we should be looking for more ways to make our homes and offices more energy efficient. Choosing the right type of blind can help make a difference to your bills, especially if you have older timber framed windows which are prone to drafts.
Old wooden framed windows that let cold drafts into your home are a big contributor to heat loss and bigger heating bills in the colder months. Old sash windows are one of the biggest culprits for this as often there is a gap between the two sash sections of the window that allows the winter weather to freely enter your home and rob the heat. The obvious option is to have the windows replaced with modern UPVC Argon filled double glazing but these are expensive and often spoil the look of traditional buildings. This is where we can help. With the right choice of blind you can create a thermal barrier between your window and your room. There are some new blinds with innovative designs that can work wonders when you need a thermal barrier, namely the new honeycomb pleated blinds, the roman blinds and various roller blinds.
The new boy on the block is the pleated blinds with the honeycomb design. This is perfect for finishing off a contemporary decoration or office environment with the clean lines of the blind. The pleats run horizontally across the blind and behind the blind there is a honeycomb of extra pleats. This traps the air behind the blind and creates a triple layer of natural thermal barriers that result in the warm air staying where it’s supposed to, in your room! Another benefit of these pleated blinds is the lightness of the material, it means the blinds are easy to operate and still allow the daylight to come into the room on a day with a typically British grey sky.
Roman blinds in heavier materials are the traditional solution to heat loss. The density of the material stops drafts passing from your window into the room and the heat from your room escaping. The great thing with the Roman blinds is that they fit perfectly into a traditional interior and match period features of the room, such as Victorian or Edwardian sash windows and bay windows. Sumptuous tactile fabrics are a must if you want to curl up and be cosy!
For an office environment or kitchens and bathrooms, roller blinds with thick material would be another option. Blackout blinds are especially suited to this function as they are constructed from a single piece of material that does not have gaps in the fabric weave. This means that the cold air remains on the window side of the blind rather than in the room. The key point to a blackout roller blind is the fact that they are 100% waterproof. This means that they will not suffer from condensation if this is an issue in your home and are extremely easy to clean, a bonus for kitchens and bathrooms as any watermarks and splashes will simply wipe away.
Comments
4 Comments so far
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All we know about window blinds, including tips, tricks and a few trade secrets. News, views and opinions of the staff of www.blinds-bar.co.uk, a UK blinds retailer, who share their knowledge.
I require thermal blinds for room insulation in winter. Which are most effective? I like the sound of transparent ones to use during very cold days, but are they as insulating as the thicker ones?
Hi Diane
The translucent pleated blinds are extremely efficient as a thermal barrier, certainly as efficient as a heavy Roman blind.
Ian
How are the sides and bottom of these blinds sealed to stop air going around the edge?
Hi Dave
The edges are not sealed but if the window is measured correctly then there would only be a 5mm gap either side of the blind for air to pass through. Whilst this will allow some heat loss during the cold months, it is far less than would be expected from most other types of blind in this price range.
The most effective method of covering the window and preventing heat loss is to mount the blind outside of the recess and have the blind overlap either side of the recess. There is still some heat loss but you will have maximised the amount of coverage and protection that a pleated blind can provide.