Blackout Curtains?

**miss_annie** · 10-20-2008, 06:55 PM

So, I have been wanting to get blackout curtains for our living room to enhance my movie-watching experience. I have just been hesitating because I would need six long panels and it could get a bit spendy. However, while researching, I found that they claim to increase energy efficiency in the home... The thick backing is supposed to help keep the cold out and the warm in during the winter and vice versa in summer. This would be GREAT for me because the windows in our apartments are badly installed and very drafty.

Does anyone have any experience with these? Do they really work? Do you think it will make a noticable difference on my electric bill?
I would feel better spending the money on these if I thought I had a chance at getting some of it back, even if it does take awhile!

**Lady_V** · 10-20-2008, 07:04 PM

True, Blackout curtains are pricey. Fleece on the other hand is much cheaper. Depending on the sizes of your windows, you can either purchase cheap blankets or hit the fabric section and get what you need. You can sew it on the back of your existing curtains if they are not sheers.

**miss_annie** · 10-20-2008, 07:16 PM

Lady_V, that is a great suggestion that I never would have thought of

Unfortunately, I do not own a sewing machine and can't even sew a button on properly by hand, so I don't know if I am up for such a big sewing project haha

**ri*smom** · 10-20-2008, 08:17 PM

We have blackout and thermals. I had thermals in ds's room, but it was still too light (southern facing) for him to take his nap so I changed them to blackout and now his room is nice and dark, however they do not have as thick a backing as the thermals. In our bedroom, we have the same brand thermals but they are a dark brown and I think that might be your best bet. The both kids' rooms had cream and blue striped thermals and I think if I had just purchased a solid, dark color we would have been better off. I think they make a noticeable difference in the temp., especially in the summer. They are the Wendy thermals from JCPenney; if you keep an eye out they often go on sale for 40% off--you may get an even better deal with the economy as it is. HTH.

**miss_annie** · 10-20-2008, 09:03 PM

thank you ri*smom that is good news =)
i was actually considering a dark, chocolate brown for our living room anyway so maybe i could go with the thermals... even better if i can get them on sale at JCPenney. i know our local store is always having huge sales with the coupons for extra $$ off if you spend a certain amount so i will have to investigate further. thanks!

**Jilly50** · 10-20-2008, 09:29 PM

I put thermals in my apartment. Worth the expense. My electric bill was lower than its ever been! It made a huge difference . The late afternoon sun hit my patio door and even here in hotter than hell Texas my electric bill was low this year!

toile · 10-20-2008, 10:23 PM

I read that shutters somehow are more efficient for energy but they won't block light as well.

I would love to hear what you end up with because I need a pair myself.

Do you happen to also have dark painted walls?
We have a really cool brown color in our master and it really darkens the room at night.
I have to sleep with it dark as possible etc..

My friend found some really nice dark curtains at Big Lots of all places.
I wish I had grabbed them too.
They totally darken her room and are very nice looking for such a low price.
She mixed them with a very expensive designer bedroom.

**Ilovesewing** · 10-20-2008, 10:25 PM

I threw something together this summer for my kitchen window which faces south as it gets unbearably hot. You see my name reflects my love for sewing, but sometimes even I can't be bothered with the 'functional' items

I happened to have a piece of fabric, either twill or poplin, so it was a heavier cotton that I could double over and it fit the width of my window perfectly. I purchased a tension rod, and without sewing a stitch, hung the fabric over the rod to get a double thickness and hung it up. I liked doing it that way because it does make the room dark, which I hate, so I could take it down when the weather let up a bit.

Maybe a tension rod would work for you?

**cheles2kids** · 10-21-2008, 10:21 AM

I've also been looking into some of these for our bedroom and you could just buy the liners & add them to your exsisting curtains?

Here's a link:
http://www.target.com/Roc-Lon-Euro-P...urtains&page=1

I need to buy some "insulated" curtains for my HUGE den window!
Think the older type picture windows.

It's an older window and really needs replaced, but for now I'm thinking of buying insulated curtains to make do until we can replace it.