Did you know glass windows are responsible for up to 45% of your home’s heat loss in winter, and 95% of passive heat gain in summer? And if your windows aren’t double-glazed or correctly sealed, these percentages can be much more. Having an overly hot or cold house isn’t only uncomfortable – it can have a huge impact on our health.

Luckily, with the help of blinds, we can not only control how much heat is gained or lost from windows but use that control to our advantage. Investing in good blinds and knowing how to use them to manage temperatures can also save you a fortune on electrical expenses.

Keeping your cool

Unless you are trying to grow seedlings inside, no one wants to live in a glasshouse. Even if you only have a few windows per room the sun streaming in can have a similar effect. The best way to manage this is to install thermal roller blinds. Thermal fabrics are designed to withstand the harsh New Zealand sun, as well as help protect your furnishings from any damage caused by ultraviolet rays.

Having an overly hot or cold house isn’t only uncomfortable – it can have a huge impact on our health.

If the temperature isn’t too unbearable and you just want to keep a small amount of sun out, our slated blinds – vertical or horizontal – can be opened or closed at whatever angle or height best suits you. Alternatively, sunscreen roller blinds are also great for reducing sun glares without completely blocking out the view.

If you are out during the day – at work or elsewhere – another key tip is to simply close your blinds before you leave. Keeping your blinds shut means the sunlight and warmth from outdoors is kept outdoors. The colour of your blinds can also help – medium-coloured blinds (not black or white) are the best for minimising heat.

Thermal blockout roller blinds are the most effective, as they are lined with an extra layer of energy-efficient insulation to block out light and heat. A non-thermal blockout roller will also be effective, especially at controlling excess light.

Some like it hot

Thermal blockout roller blinds aren’t just for keeping heat out. They are also great for keeping heat in, which is probably what they are better known for. If you have ever touched the glass of your window or sliding door on a wintery night, you’ll know how cold it is. That chill will also cool down the air around the glass. The lining in our thermal blockout roller blinds traps the cold air behind it so your home will stay cosy. Meanwhile the blinds are also working to keep the warmth inside.

While thermal blockout roller blinds are the best for keeping warmth in and coldness out, you can achieve a similar effect with our standard blinds. Our blinds are all made with top-quality materials so they’ll still work wonders. The blockout rollers and vertical blinds are made with tightly woven fabrics that will be almost as effective.

Make sure you pull your blinds closed before the sun goes completely down to ensure the night’s cool temperatures are kept outside.

Make sure you pull your blinds closed before the sun goes completely down to ensure the night’s cool temperatures are kept outside. If you know you’re going to get home after dark, it’s a good idea to close your blinds before you leave the house. If the sun is shining, however, leave your blinds open during the day so the warm sunlight can shine in. Your windows will slightly magnify the light keeping your home warm.

If your home tends to steam up and get damp, PVC blinds are an eco-friendly way to keep moisture levels down – and they’re cheaper to use than a dehumidifier.

Dual rollers consist of two layers of the blind, both the sunscreen and the blockout layers, so if your house’s temperature is sensitive to outdoor conditions, a dual roller will be your best bet.

New Zealand is lucky to have a diverse climate, letting us Kiwis get the best of both seasonal worlds. But to keep your home and family from being exposed to the extremities, it’s key to install the right blinds.

If you have any other concerns regarding cleaning your blinds, contact us for a recommendation for a professional cleaner. Email info@blindsmith.co.nz call 0800 16 1415