With the clocks changing a couple of weeks ago and some parts of the country having already had their first fall of snow, everyone’s minds are now in winter mode and keeping warm.
Soft furnishings can play a major part in keeping houses warm, with as much as 25% of a room’s heat being lost from windows and doors with no window treatments.
So what should you be looking to achieve with your windows and doors?
An obvious starting point, to reducing drafts and combatting the cold, is having properly fitted windows and doors as well as, if possible, investing in double-glazing. Then, the next steps are to look at your soft furnishing options.
When choosing fabrics, natural or mixed materials such as cotton, linen and wool are the best insulators. In addition, curtain linings with a high proportion of cotton will help thermally.
There are a number of thermal linings now on the market which are a half way house between lined and interlined curtains, they are thicker than a standard lining and slightly more expensive.
In addition curtains and blinds can also be interlined. An invisible layer of fabric normally made from cotton, interlining feels like a combination of cotton wool and a flannel blanket. Used primarily for its thermal properties it sits between the front and lining fabrics. Its benefits can be experienced in period properties and can make a huge difference where there are only single glazed windows. It is also used in conjunction with silk to increase the fabric’s longevity.
Curtains or blinds should cover the entire window opening. However often radiators are placed under windows which if covered with full length curtains will block the heat and allow it to escape through the windows. A stylish solution is to combine blinds in the window recess with dressed curtains hanging either side of the radiators.
Door curtains, particularly external doors will help to exclude drafts, make sure they fit as close to the floor as possible. In addition using portiere rods enables drapes to sit on the floor and on opening the door it lifts the curtain to clear the floor.
Pleated blinds are also another highly efficient window treatment. Designed with a honeycomb construction, which helps to traps air they provide a modern minimalistic effect which can be softened with dressed curtains if desired. Luxaflex offer a versatile range in many different shades and thermal properties.
It is all very well having curtains and blinds, but use them to their best advantage. Close window treatments before it gets dark and before the heat has started to escape. Conversely, in the morning, open the curtains or blinds to allow the warming sun to enter the room.
And finally, to really finish your room off for a cold winters night, add some lovely scatter cushions and a couple of throws that you can snuggle under whilst watching your favorite film.
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