As there's varying quality in blackout liners, be sure to hold samples up to a strong light before purchasing to ensure it works sufficiently. What About Blackout Shades and Blinds? These two window coverings work similarly to blackout curtains. Blackout curtains are often favored for larger windows. Shades and blinds are a good way to cover smaller windows. Depending on the brand, blackout shades are comparable in benefits to blackout curtains. Blinds aren't as advantageous in the heating and cooling department, but blinds do give you the advantage to control the light that enters the room.
They are great for a photographer or any artist that works with varying shades of light. How to Hang Blackout Curtains Most blackout curtains are hung like regular curtains. The fabric at the top needs to be situated properly so that it blocks light. Make sure the rod gives the curtain ample space to cover the sides of the window. Some companies make their blackout curtains with vinyl , a material that has health risks associated with it.
Not only will they shut out the warmth of the sun, they'll also protect your curtains from fading. If you're going for the real deal, you can purchase blackout curtains readymade in various lengths. However, DIY and frugal types take note: curtains are one of the easiest sewing projects imaginable. Tailoring them yourself will let you get the precise dimensions and the look you like. Blackout fabric is available as woven or knit in a wide variety of prints and solid colors.
The material, which drapes well, is not especially dark in appearance, but it's lined with lightweight foam or contains a "core" of black sunblock fiber. Whether premade or home-crafted, your blackout curtains will be washable double-check care instructions first! For extra-easy care, hang them back up while still wet so they won't wrinkle. You'll also save electricity by not putting them in the dryer. Hang curtains to completely screen any sunny window; they can easily be opened to admit air at cooler times.
If the curtains come with a white liner, position that facing the glass to deflect sun from your room. This will make your homeowners' association happy as well -- many stipulate only white window treatments should be visible from the street. In fact, hanging thermal curtains outside would be the best way to reduce heat transfer, though HOAs and neighbors might not be enthusiastic about the look.
Be sure to close blackout drapes or blinds well before the sun starts streaming in; don't wait till the room has already heated up. Blackout curtains can have an R value of up to 5, depending on how you use them. Considering most windows have an R value between 1 and 5, and your walls have an R value of at least 13, blackout curtains do help with heat, and can save you hundreds of dollars per year.
The difference between a regular curtain and a blackout or insulating curtain is the backing. Blackout curtains save energy, and installing them throughout your home can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Blackout curtains block light, which can also help block heat in the summertime. But the backing on blackout curtains has insulating properties too. This means they help to keep the cold out during the winter months too.
How much insulating properties blackout curtains have depends both on the curtains and how you use them. Ideally, when you buy curtains, buy curtains that advertise thermal properties as well. If the curtain tells you its R rating, even better. Buy the highest R rating you can find. To get the full effect, you need to attach the curtains to the wall to seal out the window. The best thermal curtains come with Velcro strips for exactly this purpose.
During warmer months, and on unseasonably warm days, you can unseal the curtains so you can use them as normal.
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