Curtains or blinds?
Neither is better at everything. This is what each does well, and what it does not.
The look
- Curtains
- Curtains give a room a softer, more finished look than a flat blind.
- A sheer curtain filters daylight into a softer glow.
Keeping heat in
In one laboratory test on a single-glazed window, closed heavy curtains and a closed plain roller blind kept in about the same heat. Blockout and sunscreen rollers, venetians and sheers were not in that test, and draughts were not measured.
A second test, by a consumer body on a single-glazed window, found that how closely a curtain fits to the window matters as much as the cloth, because gaps let cold air move.
- Curtains
- In that second test, curtains to the floor kept in more heat than curtains that stopped at the sill.
- Blinds
- In the laboratory test, the roller blind worked better when it was fitted more tightly.
Summer sun
Drawn against the sun, curtains and blinds cut the light and the glare, but take only a little of the sun's heat out of the room.
Light and view
- Blinds
- A venetian blind tilts to let in light while you keep the view.
- Sunscreen cloth comes in a range of weaves, for more or less light, view and shade. You choose one with your installer.
- A blockout roller blind can darken a room and add privacy.
Echo
Heavy curtain cloth takes some of the echo out of a room. No blind was measured.
Cords and chains
Looped cords and chains can strangle small children. Ask for a cleat that keeps the cord out of reach, and move beds and cots away from the window.