With winter approaching, it's time to look at ways you can insulate your home, keeping the warm air in and the cold chill out.  One of the most common questions we get asked is, "What is the difference between blockout and thermal curtains?" 

Both types of curtains have similar qualities, however, there are some differences that you may want to keep in mind while shopping around for the perfect window coverings for your home.

Here is everything you need to know about choosing the right curtains for your space.

What Are The Pros Of Thermal Curtains?

• Thermal linings in the curtain will help keep your room warm and trap cold air from entering through the windows.
• They will likely lead to lower energy bills! What’s not to love about being energy efficient!
• Thermal curtains will also blockout some light and muffle noises because of their thicker lining. 
• Thermal curtains will effectively help control the room temperature. Warmth is effectively contained in the room during the winter, while unwanted sunlight and heat is reflected out of the room during the summer months.
• Some Thermal Curtains are machine washable. 

What Are The Cons Of Thermal Curtains?

• Light can still filter through thermal curtains – if you need a window covering to blockout a room, thermal curtains may not be the right fit for your space. If you have chosen a thermal curtain but still require further insultation, opt in for an attachable blockout lining or lining curtain on a separate track.
• They are not as energy efficient as blockout curtains. Heat can still escape through them.

What Are The Pros Of Blockout Curtains?

• Blocks out light from entering a room, including natural sunlight, and artificial lights such as street lamps and car lights.
• They protect your privacy – even with internal lights on, no one can see in your room from the outside when the curtains are drawn.
• They will provide great heat reduction properties – Less heat will escape through your windows in the colder months, and in the warmer summer months your room will be cooler.
• Blockout curtains have no separate linings.

What are the Cons of Blockout Curtains?

• Blockout curtains, as the name suggests, completely block out light. This may not be suitable for some rooms, so keep this in mind when choosing this type of curtain.
• They are not machine washable.

In summary, the right curtains for your home will essentially come down to your personal preference and priorities. If you are looking for a curtain that will completely prevent light from entering a room, we recommend Blockout. If you are looking for some light bleed through the curtain and you do not have to overly insulate your windows, Thermal curtains may be the right choice. If you are still unsure, our Design Consultants are here to help. Give your local CurtainStudio a call or book a consultation by clicking here. 

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