Blinds and energy efficiency

Windows let in light and views, but they also let heat in and out. YourHome, the Australian Government's guide to sustainable homes, says up to 87% of a home's heating energy can be gained and up to 40% lost through windows. Window coverings can improve the performance of existing windows, especially when fitted well.

This is general information. We don't publish prices or recommend particular brands or businesses.

Keeping heat in during winter

The key is to trap a layer of still air between the covering and the glass. Sustainability Victoria recommends:

• closely woven, close-fitting curtains or blinds;
• a snug fit on both sides and at the top;
• pelmets or solid barriers above the rail;
• tracks that return the curtain to the wall;
• closing coverings when the heating is on, especially at night.

YourHome adds that heavy fabrics and multiple layers help increase insulation.

Keeping heat out in summer

YourHome explains that internal blinds can reflect some heat, and that the external surface should be white or near-white to do this, but they are much less effective than stopping sun before it reaches the glass. External shading, eaves and awnings are more effective.

Using coverings through the day

energy.gov.au suggests opening coverings on sunny winter days to let warmth in, then closing them when the sun goes. In summer, close coverings during hot days and open them in the evening to let breezes through.

Choosing coverings for energy performance

• Lined curtains with a light-coloured blockout backing.
• Curtains that reach the floor and wrap to the wall.
• Cellular or honeycomb blinds, which trap air (ask suppliers about performance data).
• Pelmets above curtains.

Sun, fading and orientation

Windows facing north and west in Melbourne typically get stronger sun, and fabrics exposed to strong sunlight can fade over time. Linings, lighter backings and sunscreen fabrics can help protect furniture and floors as well as the coverings themselves. Think about orientation when choosing fabrics and colours, and ask suppliers about fabric performance in sunny positions.

Thinking room by room

Different rooms ask different things of a window covering. Bedrooms usually need privacy and darkness. Living areas need glare control during the day and privacy at night. Kitchens need coverings that are easy to wipe and won't be damaged by steam or grease. Bathrooms need materials that tolerate moisture. Children's rooms need cordless or carefully secured systems. Street-facing rooms may need privacy during the day as well as at night. Walk through your home at different times of day and note how the light falls, which windows face the street, and where heat or cold is a problem. That list becomes the brief you give to suppliers, and it helps you avoid choosing one product for every window when different rooms need different things.

Noise and comfort

Soft furnishings can help make rooms feel quieter and more comfortable by reducing echo. Heavier lined curtains and fabric blinds may help more than hard materials, though window coverings alone won't block outside noise like better glazing can. If noise is a major concern, ask a glazing specialist about options and treat coverings as one part of the solution.

Motorised options

Motorised blinds and curtains are operated by a remote, wall switch, app or timer. They remove cords and chains altogether, which many households with young children value, and they make large or hard-to-reach windows easier to use. They can be scheduled to open and close with the sun to help with comfort. Ask suppliers about power options (battery, rechargeable or hard-wired), how they are charged, what happens in a power outage, and the warranty on the motor. Hard-wired motors involve electrical work, which must be done by a licensed electrician.

Questions to ask yourself first

Before you start, think about what you want your window coverings to do. Is the priority privacy, darkness, glare control, warmth, looks or easy cleaning? How often will each covering be opened and closed, and by whom? Are there young children in the home? Do any windows have handles, winders or unusual shapes? Do you rent or own? What's your timeframe? Short answers to these questions make it much easier to compare products and quotes, and to explain what you need to suppliers.

Working to a budget

We don't publish prices, because they depend on the product, size, fabric, controls and installation. To make a budget go further, prioritise the rooms where coverings matter most, such as bedrooms and street-facing rooms, and stage the rest. Get written quotes for the same specification from several suppliers so you can compare fairly. Ask whether simpler fabrics or controls would meet your needs.

If you rent

If you rent, check your rental agreement and talk to your rental provider or agent before drilling holes or replacing window coverings. Consumer Affairs Victoria has information about the changes renters can and can't make. Removable options, such as tension rods or freestanding screens, may suit some situations. Keep any original coverings you remove, and take photos so you can restore the property at the end of the tenancy.

Where our information comes from

We base the safety and energy information in this guide on official sources, including ACCC Product Safety Australia, the Federal Register of Legislation, YourHome, Sustainability Victoria, energy.gov.au and Consumer Affairs Victoria, listed at the end of the page. Practical tips about products are general guidance only. Requirements and guidance change, so we show the date we last checked the page. Before relying on any detail, follow the source links.

Use the measuring planner

Our free measuring planner helps you list each window, record inside or outside mount sizes, and print a tidy sheet to take to suppliers. It reminds you about cord safety, and nothing you enter leaves your browser. It doesn't apply manufacturing deductions; suppliers do that based on their products.

Getting help from suppliers

Good suppliers will explain options clearly, bring samples, measure carefully and put everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including why they recommend a particular product, what alternatives exist, and how the covering will be fixed and operated. Ask to see examples of similar installations. If a supplier can't answer clearly, or pressures you to sign on the spot, take your time and get another quote. A clear, unhurried conversation is usually a good sign that the rest of the process will go smoothly too.

Living with your choice

Once coverings are installed, give yourself a few weeks to see how they work through different weather and light. Notice whether rooms feel warmer, darker or more private, and whether coverings are easy to use. If something isn't operating properly, contact the supplier early rather than waiting. Small adjustments, such as tension on a chain or alignment of a shutter panel, are often simple to fix soon after installation. Make a note of anything you'd do differently for the next room.

Accessibility and ease of use

Think about who will be operating each covering. Heavy blinds, high windows and stiff controls can be hard for some people to use, including older people and people with limited reach or grip. Motorised controls, wands, lighter fabrics and splitting wide windows into smaller coverings can make daily use easier. Ask suppliers to demonstrate controls before you order, and consider where switches or remotes will be kept.

Sustainability

Choosing durable coverings, caring for them well and repairing rather than replacing can reduce waste. Ask suppliers whether replacement parts are available, whether fabrics can be cleaned, and what happens to old coverings when they are removed. Coverings that help reduce heating and cooling needs can also help lower energy use, as YourHome and Sustainability Victoria explain. Avoid vague environmental claims and ask suppliers to explain any they make.

Key points

• Windows are a major source of heat loss and gain.
• Trap still air with close-fitting coverings and pelmets.
• Close coverings when heating is on.
• External shading beats internal blinds for summer heat.
• Open and close coverings with the sun.