Anyone who has blinds in their house instead of curtains has been issued a warning.
The choice of curtains or blinds is a key issue for anyone decorating their house.
While curtains are traditional and homely, many going for a modern look have ripped out their big drapery and gone for minimalist blinds, including the type that can slot right into your window’s glass.
But those who choose to opt for blinds, not curtains, are being warned that curtains are better because they insulate your home more effectively, saving you money on you energy bills, which makes them better for the environment too.
Isabel Losada, writing in her book The Joyful Environmentalist, explained: “Blinds. If you are in the luxurious position of decorating your space, choose thick curtains over blinds where possible.
“Curtains are the old-fashioned way of insulating your home as the cold air collects between the window and the curtains, keeping you warmer. Blinds are often made of plastic.”
Curtain and blind specialist Stitched.co.uk backs this up, adding: “It depends on the room. There are no hard and fast rules but from a practical perspective, curtains work better for warmth and added texture, and blinds work well when space is tight. We usually say curtains are good for living rooms and bedrooms, blinds are good for kitchens and bathrooms.”
Reynolds Blinds also confirms that curtains are better than blinds for retaining heat in winter and therefore saving money.
It said: “According to University of Salford researchers, drawing the curtains at dusk will minimize heat loss by 15-17 per cent. The number for blinds is a little lower, at 13-14 per cent, but the gap is significant enough to justify closing them.
“These results have been confirmed in laboratories all over the world, with the US Department of Energy estimating a 10% reduction. If you choose to use electrical tape to secure your curtains to the wall on both sides, this will increase to 25%. Although this may seem to be a drastic measure, it should be considered in places where the back of the curtains is unlikely to be seen.
“Heavier curtains, by extension, prevent heat transfer between the cold air around the window and the warm air in the rest of the room. In general, the thicker the curtains are, the more powerful they are as an insulator.
“The best insulating curtains have a lining added to the back that increases insulation while not limiting airflow and noise transfer. Consider hanging a second pair of curtains behind the first pair, which are specifically designed for this purpose.”
