thermal curtains

**itlw8** · 10-09-2009, 02:29 PM

It looks like the 70's again in the Lowes add they had thermal foam backed curtains and thermal drapery liners... I have not seen those in years. I am going to the fabric store... maybe I can find yard goods to make my own.

Buying the panels might work if I do the same color in more than one room I can cut the long panel off and do 2 short windows.

this is going to be great in rooms I will not put plastic up

At some point I will be able to afford new windows just not this year.

**frugalfranny** · 10-10-2009, 12:15 AM

Penneys has carried them......very limited colors.

I use them.........they are cheap......WASHABLE...and I don't have AC so I use them on my slider, which is on south side of house. Helps in summer and winter. They are much better insulation than just regular drapery and anything helps with our winters. I have new windows but still.........

**Ceashels** · 10-10-2009, 07:37 AM

I have a pair of heavy thermal curtains (from Penny's) in our guest room and one of our front rooms I love them. They block a lot of the morning sun in the summer time and really help keep the room cooler. I look forward to getting a set for our bedroom.

In our office, we have a black curtain (more like a blind) to block out the afternoon sun and that works too. It was a purchase from Ikea for a little less than $30. Both have made a difference in our rooms in terms of light and comfort.

**C@rol** · 10-10-2009, 07:47 AM

Just added some in our bedroom and can tell the difference already. Much cooler when it's hot and when we had a very cool morning we couldn't tell.

Just got another pair to put into the family room.
They are all a very light eggshell so they don't darken the rooms to much but keep much of the sun out. They'll be great this winter.

**Moonface001** · 10-10-2009, 08:22 AM

In Australia thermal curtains are basically the norm. If a store sells currtains they are likely to have thermal ones as well. They are definatley worth their price (obviously on sale is better or quality second hand). If looked after well they will last years and years and will definatley save on energy cost.

**Daisygirl** · 10-10-2009, 09:02 AM

I wanted new window this year, but it is just not in the budget - I have been pricing out thermal curtains to cover my 90 year old windows!

**Jeanna** · 10-10-2009, 01:08 PM

When we moved in to this house every window that had curtains had thermals on them. The only problem was they were about rotten. So the only ones I have now are in the Master bedroom and bath. I also bought a pair from Penny's last year to go on 2 windows above my desk. I would sit there in the winter and feel the cold through the windows. I have plans to cover windows this winter with either blue board, which I can take down on days when it isn't as cold or make window quilts. I think it will depend on if I have time to make the quilts before it gets very cold.

**Grainlady** · 10-11-2009, 07:31 AM

Placing a layer of bubble wrap on your windows (which is applied directly to the glass using a spritz bottle of distilled water) will give you additional R-Value, along with adding thermal coverings (drapes/curtains). Secondary effect from the bubble wrap, NO condensation on your windows.

Bubble wrap window insulation:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects...bubblewrap.htm

I took a class on this subject years ago and here's some of the physics involved. The step that is important to consider when using thermal drapes/curtains for their highest efficiency is to stop the "chimney effect".

To do that, the drapes/curtains need to be placed in a pelmet or cornice (a closed box-like structure that has a curtain rod inside it) that stops the warm air in the room from traveling from the top of the curtain, over the cold window which lowers the temperature, and back into the room through the open bottom. The pelmet/cornice is now the "damper" closing off air-flow.

The Dutch framed windows completely with a box pelmet and hung heavy fabric within the "frame". It was a pretty box of scroll-work of scallops 6-12-inches deep and the frame was about 12-inches wide, so it was decorative as well as useful.

More information: [ame="http://www.scribd.com/doc/11962898/energy-saving-for-windows"]energy saving for windows@@AMEPARAM@@/docinfo/11962898?access_key=key-24u3g3ym134uhigbrlmo@@AMEPARAM@@11962898@@AMEPARAM@@key-24u3g3ym134uhigbrlmo[/ame]

I just made drapes lined with thermal drapes I got on sale to cover the front entrance (door and one side-light), and the French Door on the back (both doors are in the living room). They are topped with oak pelmets that match our oak trim - hubby made them. The drapes have a large grommet in them, which will aid in movement on the large rod and not so much fabric gathered together. The grommets create a natural pleat in the fabric.

I made similar curtains on the entrance door - as much for cold as summer heat, so this year I covered both doors, and WHAT a difference it has made.... Sun reflecting off the white garage doors of our neighbors home would cause the temperature in the entrance of our house to get 5-6°F hotter than the rest of the house.

**PrairieGirl** · 10-13-2009, 12:13 PM

I found this great [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQTuKcYIxiI"]YouTube- How to make thermal curtains[/ame] on youtube and this website that explains how to make them, if anyone is interested!

**shoiji** · 10-13-2009, 02:42 PM

I put them in my bedroom and one to cover the front door. The one covering the front door is on a swing arm. I haven't bought any for the living room. There I cut up some off white blankets and hung them behind my existing curtains.

**redmaples** · 10-14-2009, 08:49 AM

We really need these. We have old windows upstairs & 4 huge picture windows downstairs.

thanks for posting directions.

**tigo** · 10-16-2009, 08:54 AM

I did the window plastic (kit that shrinks up) and am buying thermal curtains also. I found them at Target and Bed/bath/beyond. Both are limited and with the 20% off single item coupons I get in the mail for bbb it hasn't cost more than $30 each window for a curtain. We pay cash for them so right now all rooms but the master bedroom have them.