Family Owned and Operated since 1924FREE0800 502 333 Monday - Friday: 9am – 5:30pmSaturday - Sunday: 10am – 4pm 367 Blenheim Road, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041. View our location on a map Try our FREE measure service Contact us by e-mail The History of Millers This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with stylesheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so. The latest version of Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome or Internet Explorer will work best if you're after a new browser.Touch a windowpane on a cold day and it’ll feel cold. It’s likely to be as cold as the outside air. When the warm (inside) air hits the windowpane, it cools and the heat escapes outside. There are 2 ways of dealing with this: using curtains to keep the warm inside air away from the windows or improving the heat loss from the windows through some form of double-glazing.

The building code now lays down minimum requirements for new windows – that's almost certain to mean double-glazing. Make sure you’ve blocked draughts – and that you’ve insulated your ceilings, under the floor, and maybe the walls too. Once you’ve done this, the windows will be the cause of most heat-loss in winter and gain in summer. How much is lost (or gained) depends on where you live, the type of windows you have, how big they are, and the direction they face. Fitting double-glazed or secondary-glazed windows (see 'Glazing options' below) is likely to improve winter and summer comfort and also reduce noise. It may also add to the house’s resale value. But it’ll take many years to pay for itself through reduced heating (or cooling) bills. New double-glazed windows are effective. But research has shown that secondary-glazing of existing windows can be just as effective and cheaper – sometimes a lot cheaper. But before you look at glazing options, you should get your curtains working as well as possible.

A good set of curtains can be as effective as double-glazing at reducing heat loss from windows. But if the curtain is open it's not doing anything – a layer of air must be trapped between the window and curtain. What’s more, curtains with a gap at the top and the bottom can form a "reverse chimney". That’s when the cooled air from near the window falls out the bottom of the curtains and is replaced at the top by warm air from inside. This could be worse than having no curtain. Although they’re no longer fashionable, pelmets help seal curtain tops. Sealing at the bottom can be improved by curtains that fall on to the window sills or touch the floor. “Thermal curtains” have a plasticised coating on the reverse of the cloth. The coating helps stop air passing through the cloth – but that’s not the major cause of heat loss with curtains. The fitting of the curtains matters much more than the cloth. For more information see our Curtains report. Secondary-glazing creates an air-gap by inserting a second pane of glass or other clear sheet behind an existing windowpane.

Double-glazing has 2 panes of glass (or a pane of glass and another clear sheet) spaced apart by a gap containing air or argon gas, (which is a better insulator than air).virgo blackout curtains This is then sealed to form an insulated glazing unit (IGU).traverse curtain rods lowes IGUs can have different insulation ratings. curtains johnstown naas The edge-seal of an IGU must not be allowed to remain wet. eclipse curtains patricia curtain single panelThat means these units must be installed in a frame that allows free drainage of water.made to measure curtains cwmbran

The unit can be fitted either directly into new window frames or retro-fitted into an existing window frame once the original glass is removed. This is used mostly in Northern-Europe and North America, where winter temperatures get much colder than here. curtain call costumes unhappily ever after“Triple” glazing uses 3 sheets of glass to create 2 air-gaps. 4 pics 1 word red curtain ticket optical illusionThis gives even greater thermal performance – but it needs an extra-wide frame and creates a heavy window. Become a Gold or Silver member to find out more. Note: this report is a guide only and does not contain test results. Every house is different. So the costs of secondary-glazing and new double-glazing will depend on the type of product and the size of the house.

Become a Gold or Silver member to find out more. We’ve used R-values in our table to show the extent to which different materials or building structures transfer heat.Start your decorating journey with a free measure and quote for your curtains and blinds  Read more Complete your home today with our wide range of furniture including lounge room furniture, outdoor furniture, office furniture, bedroom furniture, and dining suite—we have it all. No home is complete without furniture, and the furniture that you pick can have a really large impact on how you feel in your living space, both with your comfort levels and with the impact that it can make on the visual design of the interior decor. With the range of furniture from Harvey Norman you can create your own style and really customise how you want your home to feel so that it matches your personal style, whether you want a single piece or a whole set! Take a look through our selection of furniture so that you can furnish your lounge, home office, dining, and outdoor area.