When thinking about winter curtains, insulated and thermal curtains soon come to mind. Let’s investigate these, clarify some terms and expand your options. Some homes lose 25% of their energy through their windows, so this is a topic worthy of our attention.
We’ll consider:
- The option of changing curtains with the seasons,
- The more common choice of a year-round solution,
- Why lined curtains are better than their bonding-backed cousins, and
- The ultimate comfort of curtain insulation.
Do I Want Winter Curtains or Curtains That Also Work in Winter?
It’s nice to change your curtains with the seasons, but most don’t. Perhaps 95% of our clients install curtains that work all-year round. They don’t want winter curtains; they want curtains that also work in winter.
In response, our focus is on year-round solutions. This is more challenging than providing seasonal options; but with great staff and after years of experience, we’ve gotten very good at this! We bring a wealth of expertise and experience to our curtain-creation consultations.
We should also mention the ‘middle’ option, where you don’t change all the curtains in your home; you just change a room or two. In other words, create an all-year solution for most of your windows, with seasonal options for your priority living areas.
If you’re able to do this, it’s a very comfortable compromise.
Thermal Curtains That Work in Winter and Summer
When you are seeking a year-round curtaining solution, there are a number of factors we’ll need to unpack with you. Our focus will be on the elements and features we appreciate in colder months.
As a starting point, those who seek an all-year solution should keep in mind:
- Colours,
- Fabric, and
- Styles.
Neutral colours are a better choice when curtains are staying up year-round. Beige, ivory, warm whites, creams or cool stony greys are all relatively safe neutral choices. The goal is to use colours that don’t feel too warm in summer months, nor too cool during an uncomfortable winter.
Your fabrics should also strike a balance between the ideals of sheer and breezy lightness in summer and warming highly textured layers during winter. A medium weight fabric is best; something with substance but not bulk, preferably with thermal lining or backing and ideally, with insulation (see below).
When it comes to style, you need to tread a line between conservative restraint and adventurous extravagance. You don’t want to be too daring, but you also don’t want to be bland.
Striking the right balance can be quite a mission, especially after taking into account your furniture, lighting and other surroundings.
The goal is to have curtains that look good, facilitate comfort AND do that all year round. Creating that solution is exactly what we are renowned for! Call us on 0411 557 622 and we’ll explain the journey.
For Those Seeking a Winter Curtains Solution
Changing with the seasons delivers vibrancy and variety to your home. You have the luxury of embracing both warm and cool colours, adjusting as the seasons dictate. You can enjoy the breezy fall of a summer curtain and also delight in the luxurious comfort of multi-layered thermal winter curtains.
It is a richly appealing option for those who can pursue it.
When considering hues, shades and tones, we’ll offer you a broad colour palette, rich with opportunity. We’ll also provide an extensive range of sheer as well as voluminous fabric choices. Identifying both issues and opportunities, we’ll lay before you a smorgasbord of options to consider.
When it comes to selecting your winter option, pay special attention to the thermal curtain considerations that follow – especially interlining (bumph) and insulation options.
Thermal Curtains Perform Seasonally and Year-Round
If you can manage it and your climate justifies it, there is an ultimate winter solution. It includes five elements:
- Pelmets above and enclosing the full length of the curtain.
- Corner returns (so the curtain is hugging the wall)
- A substantive textured curtain,
- Thermal lining, and
- Insulation (or bumph).
Nowadays, pelmets are rarely installed, but some homes can have them cleverly and stylishly installed. The other four elements are attainable for most residences.
Some Thermal Curtain Lining Options
First, let’s explain the difference between thermal curtain lining and thermal curtain backing. Thermal lining is sewn into a curtain whereas thermal backing is glued. To remember the difference, visualise two methods. In the first, the curtain and thermal-backing are laid on top of each other, lined up and then sewn. In the second method, glue is used to attach the lining as a backing to the curtain.
Stitching is used to line a curtain. Glue (or bonding) is used to back a curtain.
But which is best?
Thermal backing is cheaper, but there’s a functional and aesthetic cost. A curtain that is bonded or thermal backed:
- Does not fall as nicely.
- Is vulnerable to degradation over time, as the sun, temperatures as well as wear and tear cause the backing to break up or peel.
- Is easily damaged when bonded surfaces stick to each other, then tear when affixed curtain sections are separated.
- We say thermal lined is better because a thermal lined curtain is essentially double-layered:
- The curtain’s layers fold and fall as one.
- There is no glue used, so the curtain is not vulnerable to glue degradation over time.
- The curtains can be stored or left open without fear of the bonding surfaces sticking to each other.
- There is higher heat retention.
We can offer you a significant range of lined and backed solutions. Phone 0411 557 622 or complete the form and we’ll explain how the process works and the outcomes it can achieve.
Before we can finish, there’s one more solution to consider: insulated curtains.
Insulated Curtains are the Ultimate Cozy Winter Warmer
To reach the peak of winter-warmth solutions, we also need to consider the benefits of insulated curtains.
Insulated curtains have an extra interlined layer. This extra wrap of warmth is known as bumph. Sewn between the face fabric and the lining, it’s the curtain equivalent of throwing on a thermal singlet.
You don’t see bumph, but you certainly feel its impact. Bumph is the curtaining ‘secret sauce’ for visual appeal and heat retention. Bumph is integral to both visual appeal and enduring warmth.
To Begin Your Insulated Curtain or Thermal Curtain Journey
Typically, within four to five weeks of ordering, your curtains will be keeping you warm and giving you pleasure. We can almost guarantee an impressive four-week create-and-hang schedule. When things get busy for us, we make the adjustment – we don’t ask you to!
When it comes to winter warmth and curtaining, a well-considered decision will extraordinarily increase your comfort level. Your decision transforms into a big bear-hug of comfort on a cold and biting day – if you get it right.
We’re in the business of ensuring that happens!
We’ve helped hundreds through the journey: phone 0411 557 622 or complete the form to have us walk alongside you. We’ll explain the process, help you prioritise your goals and then we’ll help you achieve them. You too can enjoy that satisfying warm bear-hug of curtain comfort!
