curtains in Sydney
One of the most common purposes of getting window treatments for your home is insulation. With the extreme weather conditions in Australia, you need a window treatment that keeps your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months, and warm and cosy during the harsh winter months.
Using blinds and shutters in Sydney, which provides a high degree of insulation, is great for saving on your energy bills, and this can be quite a considerable saving in the long run, not to mention that it is also good for the environment.
There are several types of window treatments that are ideal for insulation and energy saving purposes, such as:
Cellular or Honeycomb Blinds – These blinds come with honeycomb shaped cells that trap air within them and provides a layer of insulation. Honeycomb Blinds have the highest R-value (the resistance of windows to heat conduction) of any window treatment. The air pockets in the honeycomb cross section act as insulators and increase the R-value. The larger the pleat size the more air that can be trapped within, and thereby greater energy efficiency. For best results it is recommended to use two or more cell honeycomb blinds.
Honeycomb blinds operating on side tracks are great for increasing the R-value, and those that open from the top and bottom allow for greater control of light. Automated options are also available for these types of blinds.
Cellular blinds are very sleek and chic in style, with limitless options in colours and patterns. Although they are considered to be of minimalist design, they can certainly enhance the look of the room and are very versatile.
Curtains – Over the years, curtains in Sydney homes have remained a very popular type of window treatment. The energy efficiency provided by curtains depends on the fabric type and colour. During hot summer months it is recommended to keep curtains closed where direct sunlight hits the window, in order to reduce heat gain. The same is recommended during cold winter months to reduce heat loss from within the room. During winter, all curtains should be closed during the night to retain the heat.
In order to provide the maximum energy efficiency, experts recommend that curtains (or drapes) should be hung as close to the window as possible, and should fall onto the windowsill or floor to reduce heat exchange.
Curtains in Sydney can be found in a wide range of styles, colours and fabrics.
Shutters – Shutters are a very solid window treatment, made using materials such as wood, aluminium, vinyl or PVC. They are very effective at providing protection from extreme heat, storms, hurricanes and blizzards, and help insulate the room by trapping air between the window glass and the cover. During the cold winter months, shutters act as barriers to trap the warm air inside the room.
Shutters are not only effective at providing insulation, but give greater control of light and privacy, while at the same time enhancing the value of a home with their keen aesthetics. A very popular type of shutter is the Plantation Shutter, that is made with slanted louvres to let in filtered light and are fitted to the window frame.
Solar Shades – Solar shades provide great insulation and energy efficiency, but doesn’t block the view from your windows. These shades are made with an Opaque material that acts as a barrier between the window and the sun’s harmful UV rays, and the fabric comes in varying transparencies.
These shades are normally installed on the outside of the window in order to block out UV rays at the point of entry, and are the ideal solution for Australia’s harsh summer months.
Roman Blinds – Roman Blinds are very versatile as they come in varying shapes, colours and fabrics. They can be made of very thick materials which helps provide greater insulation for the home, however the downside is that in order to gain maximum insulation, the blinds have to be kept closed, thereby losing the view from the windows. You can add a thermal backing to Roman Blinds in order to make them extra energy efficient.
Roman Blinds are a very low-cost window treatment, and coupled with its versatility, they have become a very popular choice among homeowners in Australia.
