Using Curtains to Control the Temperature of your Home

Most of us love the sun – but when the temperatures rise, it can get uncomfortable indoors. If you’re suffering in a stuffy home or finding it hard to sleep in the heat, discover how your curtains can be used to keep your house cool this summer. 

Block out the heat 

Blackout curtains aren’t just useful for keeping daylight from seeping into your bedroom (although that’s definitely a benefit when the sun rises before 6am). As well as shutting out the light to help you sleep, blackout curtains can also be a very effective way to keep the house cool and comfortable. This could reduce the amount of heat transferred through your windows by as much as 33 per cent. If the sun streams in through your windows all day, fitting the right kind of blackout curtains (or blinds) to block the heat will make a noticeable difference to the temperature in your home.  

When to close your curtains 

You don’t need to sit in the dark all day, but the best way to minimise the temperature in your home is to start early, keeping curtains closed in east-facing rooms before the heat has the chance to get in. In the afternoon, the sun is in the west, so windows on that side of the house should be covered. If you’re going out, keep the curtains shut while you’re gone. This will prevent the worst of the heat from infiltrating the house, and you’ll come home to a pleasingly cool home. When you do have your curtains open, don’t forget to open your windows for some welcome ventilation. 

Styles and colours 

Although they may conjure an image of utilitarian black drapes, blackout curtains are actually available in a wide variety of attractive colours and styles, so there’s a great deal of choice. Alternatively, if you already have a pair of curtains that you love, readily available blackout lining can easily be sewn onto the back. Blackout blinds are also available, and if you prefer blinds to curtains, there’s plenty of choice in that department, too. Our electric double layered roller blinds are an excellent choice to keep your home cool and shaded, plus, they can be easily adjusted to control the amount of light that enters the room. 

Keeping warm in winter 

Your curtains aren’t just useful for controlling the temperature in the summer. Like all types of insulation, they will help keep rooms cool in summer and warm in winter. To minimise heat loss when the temperature outside is colder than in the house, curtains should be fitted close to the windows, covering every inch of glazing. The thicker the curtain material, the more effectively it will conserve heat in your home and protect against draughts – so you might consider switching your curtain fabric for the winter. Again, timing is everything; curtains should be kept closed during the night, but opened during the day to take advantage of heat from the sun.