Thermaweave BlackoutKids Blackout CurtainsCurtains TwillBedroom CurtainsBlackout DraperyColored BlackoutDrapery PanelsGreen BlackoutPocket BlackoutForwardYAY! Lime green blackout curtains, i was worried I wouldn't be able to find any and then I'd have to make them! Twill 63" Indigo Long Eclipse Thermaweave Blackout Curtain Insulated PanelOver the last decade, my husband and I have worked to reduce the amount of energy consumption by our household. For example, we’ve done some of this by replacing light bulbs and converting them to LED’s, replacing our homes ancient windows, and insulating our attic. Now that the season is cooling down, I have tested another idea – blackout curtains. Benefits of blackout curtains include blocking light, insulating a window to prevent heat or cold loss depending on the season, and reducing noise issues. Consider blackout curtains a coat for your windows that provide an extra barrier of energy-saving insulation. Blackout curtains are not “pitch black” typically – you can find pitch black insulated curtains easily – but I wanted just enough light to sneak through the edges that you could tell it was daylight outside but still provide a strong insulation factor (see photo right).

I tested the Eclipse Brand Patricia Blackout Grommet Curtain in 63″ in my guest bedroom. While I didn’t study my energy readings to determine if one room caused a noticeable cost difference, I did notice a HUGE difference this summer in the rooms air temperature. Normally our guest bedroom is sweltering in the summer, even with the new window. This summer I tested the blackout curtains and the room has been consistently cooler. Obviously, this will work in reverse with the upcoming winter — providing a warmer room when it is cold outside and the furnace has kicked in. One of the things I have noticed is that my severe degenerative osteoarthritis is really affected by variations in heat and cold. Keeping the house consistently warm through winter has become more important for me than ever from a wellness perspective. My recommendation is to try your own blackout curtain insulation experiment. If you would like to try an Eclipse Brand blackout curtain you can find them at this LINK.

Bundle up people – winter is coming! 14,809 posts, read 9,416,738 times 20,152 posts, read 28,677,193 times 3,535 posts, read 3,115,096 times 2,142 posts, read 3,125,197 times Originally Posted by city living Interesting, we recently bought 2 sets. One was real dupioni silk and the other was a synthetic dupioni. I ironed both and they both came out perfect. I even used steam. Originally Posted by blazerj I have no idea what that means but my guess is expensive?calico curtains avon ct Were they blackout curtains that have that thick coating on one side to block out light?green eyelet curtains 90x90 Ooooo... where did you get those?eclipse toffee curtains I would LOVE to have blackout/insulated dupioni silk!behind the curtains adultos

Originally Posted by Pitt Chick The dupioni silk ones are not blackout, but the backside is heavily lined. The feux one is in the master bedroom (not this color) Flax Gold Vintage Textured Faux Dupioni Silk Single Panel Curtain, 50 X 96 Half Price Drap The "real" one is in a guest bedroom (this color) Restful Green Textured Dupioni Silk Single Panel Curtain, 50 X 96 Half Price Drapes Draper I did also iron the blackout curtains (these are awesome, btw) - Wide Width Grommet Top Thermal Blackout Curtain 100"W X 84"L Panel - Navy - BWW Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned. Here's how it works: Anybody can ask a question The best answers are voted up and rise to the top I live in a rented apartment and I am trying to find solutions to keep the heat in. The apartment has several big windows (the 'living room' has one wall that is 80% windows) and I have to run the heat a lot to keep it warm inside.

Do curtains really make a significant difference? I read through other posts, including about insulation film, but I'd like to avoid that if possible. If it is the best solution in your eyes though I'll take it into account. Curtains or drapes can help insulate a room. One of the main methods is to reduce the amount of air exchange between a cold window and the rest of the room. Air in a room is always trying to equalize itself. The cold air at a window mixes with the warm air in the rest of the room. If you trap the cold air behind a poor conductor (such as an airtight drape) the rest of the room air remains warmer. Most cloth is a poor conductor (not good at transferring heat). This is a good thing. The effectiveness is largely based on how airtight the cloth is and how tightly it fits to the window on all sides - the top and floor as well as the lateral sides. Many curtains are advertised as thermal. In general, they are fairly thick and have an air barrier to block flow through them.

Fitting is as important as the material. In addition to going floor to ceiling, try to tightly fit the curtain to the walls on either side. Further to the other answers, I found Evaluating Window Insulation for Cold Climates by Robbin Garber-Slaght and Colin Craven which appeared in the Journal of Green Building. They test various window treatments and attempt to quantify the improvement by using a two-dimensional heat transfer model. Based on this model, they report a non-trivial (17%) improvement over a bare window when using interior curtains. Their "curtain" for the test was a fleece blanket "firmly attached to the window head and side trim" and hanging over the sill, so not a standard curtain. You can read the paper to get all the details in context. They also mention that curtains used this way can be problematic for collecting water. It sounds like you want a temporary solution to use while the weather is cold and you don't mind covering the windows if it will keep your apt warmer.

Price is important as it is a rental. The most improvement you can get for your money is to buy some 1 (or 2) inch thick Styrofoam sheets and cut it to fit your window tightly. This will give you far more insulation than curtains would as well as blocking airflow which is also a big source of heat loss. If you want to let some sunlight in, you don't have to cover all the windows with Styrofoam, you can leave one window uncovered. Lowes calls it "Expanded Polystyrene Insulated Sheathing" Curtains certainly do help as they block drafts. However, another option is a product called rope caulk. It comes in small strands wrapped on a roll and has the consistency of thick putty. It is non-damaging, and may easily be removed. By pulling a few strands at a time and tucking them into the seams around your window, you can help block drafts. This technique, in addition to curtains, can help make a room a little warmer. One thing to be careful of: in my home, the radiators are underneath the windows.

If you use a full length drape, you're not only blocking drafts, but you are also preventing heat from entering the room. We switched from full length drapes to a heavy "black out drape liner" which is thick enough to stop drafts, but ends above the radiator. I find the best bet is the shrink wrap plastic kits, because on a sunny day the warmth from the sun is way more efficient than simply keeping cold air out (which the plastic does anyway). Unless of course the window is facing north, then the sun won't benefit you but you will still stop the draft from coming in. I installed them throughout my house and it made a huge difference, and my house was built in 97 so its not that old. All windows exchange heat. I can't believe nobody has mentioned plastic window kits. As mentioned in another reply, drafts are typically the biggest problem. Yes, curtains will help, but they don't prevent drafts. The basic plastic sheeting kits that they sell at Wally or Target will do a lot more to keep you warm because they form a pretty decent seal.

You tape them to the window and heat them with a hair dryer to stretch them taught. They are nearly invisble and they form a very good seal. Then put your curtains up after that. I had leftover insulation blue board with silver backing and used this as an insert for my curtain. The curtain I have is doubled so in essence I used it as a pillow case and then stapled the bottom after inserting the board. What a difference with the draft I had. We are currently re doing a trailer for winter use. From what I have read, you want to block the air coming in, keep the heat from going out and retain whatever sunlight heat you can, south facing windows will be your best friends.(Sun rises in the east...a quick way to tell which way is south.) What we will be doing in our trailer is this...Black velvet or cotton curtain material to face the outside...which will draw in the sun heat, and is a heavy material for insulation. We are going with the highest thread count so it's a good insulating material, also, we are doing two layers, the black on the outside facing side and a lighter color on the inside to brighten things up.

(More layers mean more insulation.) Now the best part....we will be putting Velcro all around the windows, then we will be attaching Velcro to a heavy duty plastic wrap, similar to the wrap used in home renos to cover insulation.....it might be called vapor barrier, which we will then attach to the window for a close seal. Top it off with the curtains. This way as oppose to getting the material that seals to the window is better if you want to be able to open your window only....otherwise completely sealing the window is the best way to go...with curtains. Also, white and light colors repel the sun's heat, so if you are able to absorb the heat during the day, consider changing the outside color of your curtains. Sign up or log in Sign up using Google Sign up using Email and Password Post as a guest By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service. Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged insulation windows or ask your own question.