What kind of curtains to save energy?

Airlane1979 · Post by **Airlane1979** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 12:25 pm

My home uses roller blinds and I would like to change to curtains which would, I think, save energy loss through the windows. A friend advises me that curtains with eyelets, hanging from a pole, would be less effective than the older style with curtain hooks on a flat plastic rail because those would keep the curtains closer to the wall. However, thick, heavy curtains - which would be the best kind - are all with eyelets not hooks. Can anyone advise me?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 1:23 pm

The difference between wall to curtain pole and wall to curtain rail is negligible. Pole mounted curtains are very easy to open/close since they don't jamb up, not to mention you can get a bigger variety of pole mounted curtains than track mounted curtains, as well as the fact come summer time, you can often change them in a few minutes.

aeromech3 · Post by **aeromech3** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 4:07 pm

Some lined velvet curtains would be a good choice.

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Mon Sep 05, 2022 5:46 pm

do you have double glazing??
do you have radiators under the window??
often easier savings can be made for less investment
things like curing draughts and led lighting

toolbox · Post by **toolbox** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:13 pm

As said maybe very little difference, but I prefer tape top curtains the do seem to close the gap better. True the cheaper to produce eyelet ones are everywhere but you can still get tape top at many places.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-te ... s/p5130353

Certainly thermal or lined curtains are best for heat saving.

Anyone remember curtain pelmets made from hardboard cut in a fancy shape as per Barry Bucknell ?

big-all · Post by **big-all** » Fri Sep 09, 2022 5:54 pm

toolbox wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:13 pm As said maybe very little difference, but I prefer tape top curtains the do seem to close the gap better. True the cheaper to produce eyelet ones are everywhere but you can still get tape top at many places.

<a href="https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-te ... s/p5130353" class="skimlinks-unlinked" data-skimwords-word="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnlewis.com%2Fjohn-lewis-textured-weave-recycled-polyester-pair-blackout-lined-pencil-pleat-curtains%2Fp5130353" data-skim-creative="500005" title="" style="">https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-te ... 5130353</a>

Certainly thermal or lined curtains are best for heat saving.

Anyone remember curtain pelmets made from hardboard cut in a fancy shape as per Barry Bucknell ?

yes and boxing in beautiful Victorian and Georgian doors and staircases with hardboard to modernize them

Grendel · Post by **Grendel** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:49 pm

toolbox wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:13 pm
Anyone remember curtain pelmets made from hardboard cut in a fancy shape as per Barry Bucknell ?

They may be considered naff and old fashioned by some but a pelmet can have an impact on the thermal efficiency. As long as the pelmet is closed off at the top it will pretty much stop thermopsyhoning . That is where warm air rises to the ceiling and is then drawn into the gap at the top of the curtain , cools against the window and then drops to floor level thus drawing more warm air in at the top. Added advantage is that it also makes the curtains more light tight if that is an issue too. And of course they don't have to be hardboard , I've got timber ones in our house.