Roller Shutters Guides & Resources

Blinds vs Curtains Energy Efficiency

Blinds offer a great option for energy efficiency as they cover a large window and present a barrier to heat transfer along with light control. Curtains are traditionally more lightly covered, which allows more light through, but presents less of a barrier to heat transfer. Therefore it is possible that venetian blinds may save you money on your energy costs whereas hanging curtains may not. There are many factors to consider when choosing venetian blinds vs curtains, such as the amount of brightness you want in a single room, window reveal and your budget. Blinds can be more expensive than thermal curtains, but blinds offer to last longer and require less maintenance. Curtains need to be washed regularly to keep them looking fresh, while blinds only need to be dusted. Window curtains are traditionally more lightly covered, which allows more light control through, but presents less of a barrier to heat transfer. They're compatible with other window treatments along with a pair of two window treatments too. They won't occupy floor space. Blinds have a much thicker construction and need to have the slats staggered to allow for even light transfer, adding to your window furnishings. This increases the insulation properties of venetian blinds as they do not allow as much heat loss as a curtain fabric would. Blinds are also more sturdy [than window curtains](/guides/roller-shutters/curtains-vs-blinds), the blinds will last longer and require less maintenance. Curtains are perfect during a winter sun and cold weather. ## Is it better to have curtains or blinds? There's a huge difference between both- One of the main reasons that venetian blinds are more popular than thermal backed curtains on windows is because the blinds block out more sunlight (calculated as r value), also helping reduce glare and the temperature inside. Window Curtains are great at blocking out heat escapes, but not as good at blocking out lights. So depending on your personal preference, you may prefer to use blinds vs curtains. For example, if you have a bedroom that needs to be dark in order to get a good night’s sleep, then you would want to use blinds to provide privacy. If you have a room where you want to let in as much light as possible, then you would want to use curtains. Various options of blinds are available which include cellular blinds or honeycomb blinds, roller blinds, roman blinds, vertical blinds and many more. Just stick them with magnetic tape. It is also important to consider your budget when making the decision between blinds vs curtains. Window curtains are often cheaper than roman blinds. It is also much easier to find a style of curtain panels that you like in your preferred fabric, whereas it may be difficult to find the exact type of blind that you want. Blinds are better if you have young children. Blinds go with any floor type. They're like shutters since they open and close just like shutters. ## How does energy efficiency work? Windows offer a huge point of heat transfer, and only about 15% of their surface area is actually useful for letting in brightness and views. Heat transfer through windows can account for as much as 30% of heating costs during the winter months. So it’s important to choose the best window coverings to suit your needs and help you cut those bills. Here are some ways that you can affect your windows energy efficiency with roller blinds vs curtains. They're more energy-efficient when installed with a tight fit on the side tracks. ## Are blinds considered energy efficient? Blinds are considered more energy-efficient window treatments than curtains. Blinds have a thicker construction and prevent light from entering, which helps to keep the room cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Window treatment curtains, on the other hand, allow more light through and do not provide as much of a barrier to reduce heat gain. This is why roman blinds are often recommended for window treatments in rooms that need to be kept cool in the summer, such as bedrooms and house offices. ## What is the best curtain material for energy efficiency? Curtains are traditionally more lightly covered, which allows more light through, but curtains present less of a barrier to transfer and prevent heat gain. Blinds have a much thicker construction and need to have the slats staggered to allow for even light transfer. This increases the insulation properties of blinds as they do not allow as much heat transfer as a curtain fabric would. So depending on your room's purpose and various energy-efficient options, you may prefer to use blinds or curtains. For example, if you have a living room where you want to let in as much natural brightness as possible, then you would want to use curtains. If you have a bedroom that needs to be dark in order to get a good night's sleep, then you would want to use blinds. ## What are blackout curtains? Blackout curtains are a kind of curtain that is specifically designed to block out as much light as possible. These curtains have a thick lining, blockout fabric and a heavyweight construction, which allows them to prevent nearly all visible light from passing through the fabric. Blackout lining blinds can be very useful in bedrooms, where you want to let in as much natural brightness as possible during the day, but still need to let your body rest at night. These curtains are also useful for house offices, where you may need to work during the day but don’t want any disruptive light sources and get complete privacy. Blackout curtains can be made from a variety of different fabric materials, including cotton fabrics, polyester fabrics, and velvet fabrics. You can find these curtains in a variety of coloured fabrics and styles to match your whole house décor. ## Are blinds or curtains cheaper? Blinds are often more expensive than window treatment curtains. This is because blinds are a more specialised product, such as [holland or roller blinds](/guides/roller-shutters/holland-blinds-vs-roller-blinds), it can be harder to find in the right style and size. Curtains, on the other hand, are a more common item and are available in a variety of styles and sizes. You can also find them in a variety of different materials, which allows you to choose the blinds or window treatment curtains that best suits your needs and budget. ## What is a thermal rating? A thermal rating is a measure of how effective window treatments is at blocking transfer and reduce heat loss. It is measured in terms of how many watts of heat it can block per square metre. The higher the thermal rating, the more effective the window treatments is at blocking heat and reducing energy loss. Window coverings with a high thermal rating are ideal for rooms that need to be kept cool in summer, such as bedrooms and home offices. They are also useful for rooms where you want to keep the temperature consistent year-round, such as nurseries and living rooms. Window coverings with a low thermal performance rating are best for rooms where you want to let in as much natural light as possible, such as kitchens and dining rooms. ## How is energy efficiency measured? There are a number of different factors that contribute to how well a window covering provides insulation to your home. The main factors that contribute to its overall home's heating energy efficiency are below. ### Thermal rating Thermal rating is how effective it is at blocking heat transfer. This is measured in terms of watts per metre squared (W/m2). The higher the thermal rating, the more thermal insulation properties it has. ### U-value How effective it is at keeping cold and warm air from leaking in or out of the room you're using it for. The lower the U-value, the less air leaks into or out of your warm room when it's closed up ### Air leakage Air leakage is how much still air passes through the coverings when they are closed up. The lower the air leakage, the more effective your window covering will be at blocking outside air pockets from passing through it when shut. ### Visible light transmission This is how much visible light passes through the coverings when they're closed up. The higher this number is, the more natural light comes into a room when the window frame coverings are closed up. ### Sound transmission This is how well sound gets transmitted through a window treatment when it's open and shut. A high sound transmission rating means that a lot of noise gets through to a room you're trying to keep quiet in. For more information on home energy efficiency and reducing heat loss, take a look at this guide from [Sustainability Victoria](https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/energy-efficiency-and-reducing-emissions/building-or-renovating/windows-and-shading/reducing-heat-loss-through-windows).