Roller blinds Vs blockout curtains

[thisisme]

Blinds Vs Blockout curtains

Which is easier to clean and keep clean?
Which is better at keeping the heat out during summer?
Which is more efficient at keeping light out of a room?

[Julie-Ann]

Originally Posted by thisisme

Blinds Vs Curtains

Which is easier to clean and keep clean?
Which is better at keeping the heat out during summer?
Which is more efficient at keeping light out of a room?

Sheers are the easiest to keep clean as you can put them in the washing machine. Drapes have to be dry cleaned and can shrink 3% if the fabric is not prewashed before making them. Roller blinds are the easiest blinds to keep clean.
Drapes of heavy fabric and blockout lining are the best to keep out the heat. Although the roller blinds made from the Sunscreen mesh materials is very good too.
Heavy drapes with blockout lining is the best for keeping light out. A pelmet helps too.

How is the big decision on this coming along? What have you narrowed it down to?

[thisisme]

Not getting far J-A

Still trying to weigh up what looks/works better.

Our main concern is keeping warmth inside and heat outside...

[Julie-Ann]

Drapes in a heavy material with blockout lining are your best option from a practical point of view. Also with pelmets on top. But do you like this look?

[thisisme]

Where would I find the stats on performance difference between thick curtains and blinds?

I don't want to make the decision based on looks alone

[Julie-Ann]

I don't know where you would find any stats on this. But it is just common sense. Blockout lining keeps heat and light out. That is what it was created to do. Heavy fabric will naturally keep the elements outside because of it's thickness. Drapes are not sitting in the recess like blinds. With drapes going past the sides of the recess they prevent light coming through on the sides. A pelmet stops any of the cold coming through the top of the drapes. heavy drapes are basically closing off the window.
I am sure if you googled it you would come up with the same answer. This is why in cold climates people use heavy drapes and pelmets to keep the cold out and the warmth in. In summer it will do the opposite.
There was this article that Lucia from More Than Curtains wrote for us. That says the same thing as I am saying.

[thisisme]

I wasn't saying that I didn't believe you J-A

I was just thinking in terms of numbers/%

As in... Same house, same conditions one house has blinds, another has heavy curtains. What is the difference in temperature inside each of the two houses....

[thisisme]

I do realise that I might not be able to find such information though

[Julie-Ann]

Oh I didn't think you were saying you didn't believe me. Sorry for the confusion. I just meant that I don't know if there are stats out there. But do you really need stats to know make this decision? Just given that it is common sense that drapes are the best for insulation.
Of course they maybe the best but do you like the style of them?

[Sooty]

Firstly remember you have orientated your house's windows well so you probably have more leeway & can chose something you really like the look of even though it may not rate as high as some other options.

I agree with J-A that heavy curtains with heavy block out linings fitted with a pelmet are the best at insulating windows & the heavier the material the better. But this is a much more formal look & may not be what you are looking for through out your house but would suit your front living areas if you want them to be more formal & these are the windows that probably need the most sun protection.

I'm a big fan of roller blinds as they are sleek & simple & if you want to add shears they retain a modern look. Verosol is a brand used in high rise office buildings which need to meet energy guidelines, the most efficient have a silver backing to reflect heat.

Another option I've been looking at are honecomb blinds as the air pockets create an insulating barrier. I sent away for some samples of this brand http://www.blindsonline.com.au/honey...l-light-filter and will be looking into these further. The small pleat looks nice and aren't like the larger pleats you see in offices, you can open them from the top as well as the bottom so quite versatile. I started looking at these as an option for keeping a room warm in winter as well as keeping heat out in summer. There are other blind places that sell them, google 'double cell honecomb blinds'.