How do curtains help insulate

Connie Paullis. Kristen Thiebault. Giana Battista. Laurie Kaufman. Jon Stanton. Wil Dalphin. Jeffery DiNardo. My Tan. Evan Olesh. Fred Genito.

Rob Meuse. Michele DiMambro. Erik Nikonchuk. Jen B. Robert Cloutman. Corona Pritchard. Gail Cannon. Department of Energy says curtains can reduce your heat loss by up to 25 percent if you install them properly. One option is to add a cornice over the top of your draperies to help block cold outside air from coming inside through the gap between the top of your curtains and the ceiling.

In addition, you can hang your curtains wider than the window frame; let them cascade to the floor, and install them as close to the windows as possible to seal up small spaces around the edges.

Mary Cockrill's education and certifications in interior design and home staging have allowed her to author numerous home-related articles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a comprehensive major in office administration.

So you know the basics, and you know what options you have in purchasing, but just why might you want these thick, lined curtains? Head over to the next page to read up on the benefits insulated curtains bring to the window. You may have noticed a number referred to as the R-value when shopping for your last windows or reading up on insulated curtains.

This number indicates your window's ability to prevent heat loss or exchange. The higher the number, the better your window will stand up to the elements, keeping your home comfortable and efficient [source: Solar Components].

Higher R-values will often mean you'll have to pay more for the windows, so curtains may be a less expensive way of raising your R-value. There are two major benefits recognized from using insulated curtains. First, insulated curtains help control room temperature. These curtains add an extra layer of protection over your windows -- which are almost always the leading source of heat loss or exchange in your home -- by increasing the R-value of your window [source: Solar Components]. During the warm summer months, these window coverings will block out the sun's heat, so you can use less air conditioning.

Then in the winter, they help hold heat in the house, allowing you to turn that thermostat down. Since cooling and electric heat are big contributors to a household's overall electric bill, the benefits from cutting down on how much you need to use them can be significant.

Second, insulated curtains help soundproof a room. Not only will they keep noises from your yard out, but they'll keep your noises in.

You'll still need to be considerate of your neighbors when blasting the stereo, but the curtain will alleviate some of that noise. The thick curtains absorb sound waves, keeping them from vibrating into your home and ears, or vice versa. For even more helpful information on insulated curtains, be sure to check out the links on the next page. The best curtains for trapping heat will be thick, lined curtains which are heavy.

Some curtains have been specially designed to help minimise heat loss, and these are known as thermal curtains. They include a layer of acrylic foam between multiple layers of fabric to provide even more insulation than a standard fabric curtain.

If you really want to tackle all the sources of heat transfer in your home this winter, you might consider door curtains in some areas too. Patio doors often include large expanses of glass and even though they are manufactured to be as energy efficient as possible, drawing a curtain over them at night will provide extra insulation. Make the most of your curtains this winter and feel the benefit of a cosy home. Can Curtains Block Heat?

Best Curtains for Heat Insulation Most curtains will provide a certain level of insulation, although some will be better than others.