Blinds have come a long way from the plain wood or plastic slats that aren’t easy on the eye and often shut out too much sunlight. Now, insulating blinds exist to help control heat gain and loss in your home.
Insulating blinds usually cost more than ordinary ones, but they are still one of the most affordable ways to heat up your home. Don’t have the budget for insulation or double-glazed windows? Don’t want to increase your electric bills by turning up the heater? Maybe some insulating blinds can solve your heating issues.
There are several ways for blinds to keep your home warm, but they usually have the same idea as your typical roof or wall insulation. Some blinds have a reflective material to control the indoor temperatures. Others use bulk to combat heat loss. While they serve the same purpose, different types of insulating blinds offer varying levels of heat control.
Honeycomb blinds have air pockets that hold stale air to regulate room temperature. They are usually available in single-cell, dual-cell, or block-out options. The first two lets filtered light in, but the pricier dual-cell one offers better insulation. The block-out option also offers wonderful insulation, but they don’t let any light into the room.
Thermal fabric blinds or those woven from thick fabric are also a good choice. They are more difficult to clean, but they are perfect for those who want blinds that also serve as decoration. Common styles include Roman blinds, roll-up blinds, and folding blinds.
Timber blinds are nothing new, but the natural properties of timber still make them great insulators. Wood blinds also offer a touch of classic sophistication for your home. If you want a more eco-friendly material, you can opt for wood composite blinds as well.
Reflective blinds are probably the best in class when it comes to using modern technology. This type is usually composed of a thin sheet of aluminium sandwiched between polyester films. Apart from keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, they also offer glare protection, unrestricted views, and even UV protection.
Like with insulation, you can also check how efficient your insulating blinds are through their R-value. If you want the best insulation from your blinds, go for those with the highest R-values. Just remember that some of the most cleverly crafted blinds are quite pricey, too. To get the best for your home, be sure to get blinds that strike the perfect balance between cost and performance.
Lastly, the perfect fit and flawless installation also help boost the insulation performance of blinds. Hiring a professional blinds and shutters installer can definitely help with that. Post a job now and quickly get up to a dozen free quotes from curtains, blinds, and shutters specialists.