With energy bills rising, discovering affordable, efficient ways to keep your home warm can make a huge difference.

And with so much warm air lost through your windows – energy efficient blinds could be the perfect way to reduce heat loss, and save you money in the long term.

So how do blinds help you keep the warmth in, and what are the best blinds for energy efficiency? In this guide, we’ll explain it all, and give you the facts you need to find the right blinds to keep you warm this winter.

What are thermal blinds?

Thermal blinds can be any that help insulate your windows, or they can be blinds with a specific “thermal” lining.

Thermal linings are typically a thicker material lining to your blind, and can sometimes include a foam or acrylic layer as well to provide an extra insulating air pocket.

For example, some blinds come with an additional lining for extra insulation and some provide insulation because of the way they are structured.

That means that most blind types can be improved or enhanced so that they can be better for keeping the warmth in, but some blind types will naturally perform better than others.

Do thermal blinds work?

Thermal blinds are a highly effective way of reducing heat loss through your windows, by trapping warm air in, and blocking out cold draughts.

Because your windows are a hugely significant factor in your home’s energy efficiency, taking measures to reduce that heat loss can make a big difference to you, and your energy bills.

So, let’s take a look at some of the best kinds of blind for keeping warm this winter.

Different types of thermal blinds

Do thermal blinds really work? It is estimated that specially designed thermal insulation blinds or even standard blinds with a thermal lining or layer of insulation can reduce heat loss by up to 40% from your home, making them a great investment for properties with a large amount of glazing.

Thermal blinds come in a huge range of different styles, as all you really need is a thermal backing or fabric to turn a normal blind into a thermal window blind. Here is a selection of some of the best thermal blind styles available, including a description of how they help keep the heat in.

Thermal roman blinds

Roman blinds are a stylish option and also a popular choice for keeping a room cosy. Roman blinds are available in a variety of fabrics, including thick materials – ideal for keeping heat in a room – and specially designed thermal materials.

What’s more, the Roman style also lends itself to layering two blinds on the same window which offers both a luxurious aesthetic and improved insulation.

Thermal roller blinds

Insulated roller blinds are a kind of roller blind which has been made from a particularly insulating fabric. They are a step up from blackout roller blinds which are also made from a thick, mildly insulating material. 

The thermal material may come in a single layer or multiple layers back-to-back, depending on your requirements. To make sure this kind of blind is as effective as possible, you should choose made to measure thermal blinds so as to reduce the gaps around the edges draughts can still creep through.

Thermal vertical blinds

Vertical blinds can be transformed into heat saving window blinds by making them in an insulating fabric. However, we wouldn’t suggest that these are the best blinds to keep heat in, as the gaps between the louvres can let heat out – even when the blinds are fully closed.

Vertical blinds can still provide an insulating layer against your window, but if it’s your only window shade, it’s not going to be as effective as a lot of other options.

Perfect fit thermal blinds

Perfect fit blinds are one of the most versatile styles, and can come as roller, roman or even venetian blinds.

This means they’re also a great choice for winter – particularly if you’re looking for velux thermal blinds, or thermal conservatory blinds. Because perfect fit blinds sit within the frame of your window, they’re a great choice for tilted, skylight and conservatory window blinds to keep heat in.

But of all the different styles of perfect fit blind, the most effective type to minimise heat loss through your window, is the duette blind, also known as a double pleated, honeycomb or cellular blind.

These are incredibly effective insulating blinds for windows as they have a pocket of air within them that acts as an insulating barrier. Not only does this make them great at keeping the warmth in during the winter, but it also helps keep the heat out during the summer months too.

Thermal blackout blinds

Blackout blinds are often considered to be “thermal” because the thicker material or additional fabric does make them more robust than normal blinds, which naturally makes them better at keeping the heat in.

But it is important to specifically look out for thermal blackout blinds, so you know for certain you’re getting the best of both worlds.

One of the biggest bonuses of choosing blackout thermal blinds, is that it actually enables you to choose from a wide range of different styles, including roller, roman or pleated blinds – as it’s the material that matters, not the blind style itself.

Thermal honeycomb blinds

Duette blinds, also known as honeycomb, pleated or cellular blinds, are specially designed to boost the thermal efficiency of your windows. The blinds trap small pockets of air in their unique honeycomb design which creates an insulating layer between your room and the window. 

This works to prevent heat loss in winter and also heat gain in summer, making these one of the most energy efficient blind styles.

Double pleated, or duette blinds are also a popular style choice for perfect fit blinds, which fit into your window frame. This makes them the ideal choice for conservatory windows and velux or skylights, meaning you can get an insulating blind for almost any window.

Thermal blinds for conservatories

Your conservatory is probably the biggest problem when it comes to losing warmth in the winter. Because there is so much glass, it’s incredibly difficult to prevent heat loss, and even more important to insulate your conservatory windows as much as possible.

Perfect fit winter blinds are one of the best options for this, and it’s also with considering thermal conservatory roof blinds, as so much of your energy will be going straight out of your conservatory roof.

As perfect fit blinds can come as double pleated blinds, this is a great combination for one of the least energy efficient areas of your home.

Thermal blinds for patio doors

Another big cause of heat loss is through patio doors or French windows. Making sure you have the best blinds for patio doors can save you a huge amount on your energy bills.

If you have sliding glass doors into your conservatory, installing insulating blinds can also help prevent losing heat into the room itself. That can also make a big difference to how much heat loss your conservatory generates.

Roof lantern thermal blinds

If you have an orangery, or roof lantern window, then good insulating blinds are essential to help keep your energy costs down.

These roof windows naturally cause a lot of energy loss, because as roof windows, the heat of your home naturally rises up and out of them. A good roof lantern blind can help you minimise that heat loss.

Energy saving blinds for gable windows

Gable end windows are another area where there is often significant heat loss, as they tend to be larger, more expansive windows.

They’re also often more difficult to cover with other window shades such as curtains or shutters due to their complex shape.

However, triangle window blinds, made to measure for your gable windows are the ideal option for insulation and energy saving.

Do wooden blinds keep heat in?

Wooden blinds, including faux wood blinds are a really popular window covering, but if you’re after insulated window blinds, they’re not a particularly great choice.

While they’re made from thick, insulating materials, you can’t really describe them as thermal venetian blinds. That’s because a lot of the benefit from the thicker material is offset by the gaps between louvres and the gaps around the window frame. These provide less of a barrier and can let the cold air through.

Blind combinations for extra insulation

One of the most effective ways to keep in the heat is to have a combination of window shades.

Popular choices include doubling up of blinds, for example having perfect fit blinds within your window frame, and roman blinds outside the recess. Another popular combination is blinds and curtains, or shutters and curtains.

By doubling up your window covering, and having blinds or shutters both inside and outside the window recess, you’re much more likely to keep in the warmth.

Reducing heat loss with smart blinds

Not all the best solutions are actually about the style or material of blind you choose. You can also make a big difference by choosing smart blinds.

Almost all our blind styles can be transformed into smart blinds, which means that the blind has an electric motor that can raise or lower the blind. This motor can be controlled via an app on your smartphone, which means that you can control your blinds from anywhere.

It also means you can set your blinds to be raised and lowered at set times, or manage them through a smart home hub, like Google Nest or Amazon Alexa.

This gives you the ability to lower your blinds as soon as it starts getting dark – regardless of whether you’re actually at home. So you don’t have to worry that your house is getting colder while you’re still out at work.

The best insulating blinds for winter

When you’re insulating your home, your choice of window covering can make a big difference. But having any kind of window shade will certainly help!

If warmth is one of your biggest priorities, then Leamington Blinds can help you decide the style and type of blinds or shutters that will work best, whether that’s thermal blackout roller blinds, shutters with roman blinds on top, or any of our other fantastic options.

Our experienced team can offer you professional advice and guidance when it comes to choosing the ideal window covering for your needs.

With our extensive range, which spans many styles, materials and colours, we have something to meet all interior decorations and rooms of the home. Once you’ve found your perfect blinds, our skilled team can also carry out a professional fitting for you, ensuring your new blinds function smoothly.

Enquire online

If you have any enquiries, contact our helpful team today.

The post The Best Thermal Blinds for Winter (2025) appeared first on Leamington Blinds.

So when it comes to window coverings, energy efficiency and sustainability is a big trend for blinds and curtains in 2023.

So how can your window shades help you reduce your carbon footprint? And what are the best options if you want to make the eco friendly choice?

How to choose eco friendly blinds

There are few different considerations when you’re looking to stay green with your choice of window covering.

One option is to look for energy efficiency.

Heat that’s wasted through your windows is a huge source of energy loss in your home. According to Energy.gov, you can lose up to 30% of heat through your windows.

So being able to dampen that effect and keep the warmth in means that you don’t need the heating on so high or so long. It saves energy, but helps you keep your heating bills down too – a win-win!

The flip side of that is the house getting too warm when it’s sunny outside. There are a range of blinds and shades that can reduce the sun’s glare on your windows, meaning it’s easier to keep cool. Something that can be particularly helpful if you’ve got a conservatory.

Another thing to consider is sustainability.

Choosing a sustainable option such as real wood shutters, or roller blinds made from natural materials can also be a good way to stay green when choosing blinds.

The best insulating blinds

Finding blinds that will help keep the heat in your home isn’t too big a challenge – after all, any type of window covering is better than nothing at all!

But some of the best blinds for insulation include blackout blinds, honeycomb or duette blinds.

Insulating blackout blinds

Blackout blinds are a good choice if you’re looking for energy saving qualities. That’s because they tend to be made of thicker materials, and often come with thermal lining.

There’s also a great choice of different blackout blind styles, so whether you’re after insulated roller blinds, roman or pleated blind options, this is one of the most versatile blind features.

Insulated shutters

Shutters can be a difficult choice if you’re looking for an insulating window shade. Shutters are usually made of a thick, sturdy material like real wood or PVC, which can provide a more dense barrier at the window.

However, the louvred slats in your shutters are highly likely to have gaps between them that can let cold air in. That really reduces any energy saving qualities they might have.

Energy efficient venetian and vertical blinds

Much like shutters, both venetian and vertical blinds have the same problems when it comes to providing a good level of insulation at your windows.

That’s because they are also made up of slats, which can easily let air flow between them. You can mitigate that by using a blackout material for vertical blinds, or choosing a more robust material like faux wood for your venetian blinds.

But they’re still not the best choice if energy efficiency is a big factor for you.

The best blinds for thermal insulation – honeycomb blinds

Honeycomb or duette blinds are brilliant for saving energy, in fact that’s exactly what they’re made for.

The honeycomb structure of these cellular blinds creates pockets of air that provide an extra level of insulation at the window.

This barrier is great for keeping the heat in your room when it’s cold, but also to block the heat from outdoors in the summer.

That makes duette our favourite choice for insulated window blinds.

Blinds that prevent glare

An overlooked factor in looking for energy efficient or eco friendly blinds, is the energy coming in through your windows when the sun’s out.

That means you’re expending energy to cool your rooms, whether you’re lucky enough to have air conditioning, or even if you’re just running a fan.

So if you want to reduce your energy bill, or want to have a greener home, it’s also important to think about how you protect your windows from the sun.

Energy saving blackout blinds

We’ve already talked about how blackout blinds keep the warmth in. But they’re also very good at keeping the sunshine out.

By blocking out more light, blackout blinds prevent heat building up in your room, so they are a good option – particularly for velux and conservatory window blinds, or blinds for french doors, where you’re likely to have a lot of light coming through.

Perfect fit blackout blinds are a great choice for these types of windows and doors, as you can have the material coming right up to the edge of the window for the best coverage.

Day and night blinds

Another good option for controlling the light levels in your room, are day and night, or vision blinds.

The great thing about day and night blinds, is that they can give you a lot more control over the light levels in your room.

Because the different materials let in different levels of light, you can create the perfect balance between keeping the main glare of the sun out of the room, but still accessing some natural light.

Exterior blinds

If you’re really serious about keeping the glare off your windows, then by far the best blinds for you are going to be external blinds.

By having the blinds on the outside of your windows, you’re stopping the sunshine before it even touches the glass.

This can keep your room up to ten degrees cooler!

Exterior blinds are very versatile, coming in a wide range of colours and styles, and they can even be fitted with monitors to automatically adjust to the light and heat levels in your home.

When it comes to protecting your rooms from the glare of the sun, they are by far the most effective option.

Sustainable blinds

Energy efficiency isn’t the only thing to consider when looking for eco friendly blinds and shutter. You also need to consider what your window coverings are made from, and whether they can be recycled.

Sustainable wooden blinds and shutters

When you’re looking at sustainability, natural wood blinds and shutters can be a really good option. For many people, it’s the deciding factor when choosing between real and faux wood shutters.

Of course, not all wood is responsibly sourced, so if you’re considering hardwood blinds or shutters to be environmentally friendly, you should ask your supplier where the materials have come from.

Natural material blinds

Another option if you’re looking for sustainably sourced blinds, is to pick blinds made from natural materials.

Think about cotton or linen blind options, which can come in a variety of styles from your classic roller, to pleated or roman blinds.

These materials are natural, not synthetic, so can be a good option if you’re looking for sustainability.

The best energy saving window blinds

When you’re choosing environmentally friendly window shades, our suggestions are to choose cellular blinds for the best insulation, external roller blinds if you’re concerned with glare, and classic cotton roller blinds if you want to stay sustainable.

But with so many different options and considerations when you’re looking to stay green, you can choose the perfect style for you.

Enquire online

If you’re looking for a little more advice, Leamington Blinds are here to help! Just fill out the form and we can help you decide what blinds or shutters will be best for your home.

The post Energy saving, eco friendly and sustainable blinds appeared first on Leamington Blinds.

Honeycomb blinds

The best blinds for soundproofing are also the best option for insulating: duette blinds. It is their unique honeycomb pocket structure which aids both insulation and soundproofing. The layers of fabric combined with the air pockets serve to dull sound waves. There are several options for personalising duette blinds; blackout materials and double cell options will increase the effectiveness of the soundproofing.

You can purchase these cellular, noise reducing blinds directly from our sister company, Local Blinds Direct.

Roman blinds

An elegant choice of blind which also offers sound-reducing qualities is a Roman blind. Romans can offer a luxurious feel with thick, high-quality fabrics being popular – it is these heavier fabrics which aid sound dampening. The thicker the fabric, the more effective it will be in absorbing sound and dampening its volume before it reaches your interiors. The softer, sumptuous look of Romans make them ideal for bedrooms and living rooms, ensuring you don’t have to compromise on aesthetics to aid sound reduction.

Shutters

Another good insulating window treatment which consequently works well for minimising sound from outdoors are shutters. The slats and frames of shutters are generally made from a thicker material than blinds – whether that’s real wood or a faux alternative – which can result in good sound blocking qualities. What’s more, as shutters are made to fit precisely to your windows, there aren’t any gaps where sound can seep through.

Combine coverings

If you can layer up on window treatments, you can improve the amount of noise reduction achieved – two layers to act as a sound dampening barrier will be better than one. Often, people choose to combine an efficient blind with curtains. For example, if you opt for honeycomb blinds and a pair of thick curtains, you should enjoy a noticeable reduction in sound in your room.

Leamington Blinds supply and fits a terrific range of high-quality blinds to customers in and around Leamington Spa. Our experienced team can provide expert advice, helping you to find the perfect window treatment for your needs and interior style, as well as a meticulous fitting service.

For further information regarding our range, or to organise a free home consultation, don’t hesitate to contact our helpful team today.

The post Can Blinds Reduce Noise? appeared first on Leamington Blinds.

Windows are a large source of heat gain and loss in the home. However, by choosing the right window coverings, you can greatly improve your control of temperature and even reduce energy costs as a result. Let’s take a look at some of the best options for controlling your temperature with blinds.

Keeping Cool In Summer With Blinds

During summer, and particularly for south facing rooms which get a lot of sun, you can find your home becomes hot and stuffy. Although it may seem at first unintuitive to keep your blinds closed in warm weather, blocking the hot, direct sunlight from entering your rooms can keep them from heating up to uncomfortable levels.

Some of the best blinds for keeping your room cool include:

• Aluminium Venetian blinds>: these allow you to let in light whilst simultaneously blocking hot, direct sunshine by tilting the slats. The slats also mean a cool breeze from an open window can be let in without needing the blinds to be fully opened. The metallic material will help to reflect sun and heat back out of your home.
• Roller or pleated blinds with a solar reflective coating: blinds which are available with a solar reflective coating – a covering specially designed to reflect solar radiation and heat – will notably reduce the amount of heat absorbed into your home.

Keeping Warm In Winter With Blinds

Blinds aren’t only useful for keeping your home cooler, they can also help to keep heat in your home during colder months. Whilst you should keep your blinds open during daylight hours to let in any natural heat from the sun, once the dark evenings start to draw in you should shut your blinds to provide an extra layer of insulation for your windows. Not only will this keep warmth inside your home, it can also prevent cool draughts from finding their way into your home.

Some of the best blinds for keeping your rooms warmer include:

• Roman blinds: Romans tend to be made from thicker fabrics than most other styles of blind, meaning they provide a good insulating layer to your windows.
• Duette (honeycomb pleated) blinds:the honeycomb structure of Duette blinds has been specifically designed to offer insulation and achieve better energy efficiency for your home. The honeycomb structure helps keep heat inside in winter and reduces heat gain in summer.

Leamington Blinds are a leading blinds expert in Leamington Spa and the surrounding areas. With a wonderful selection of attractive and functional blinds, we are bound to have something within our stock to match your interiors and meet your needs. Once you’ve chosen your ideal window covering, we can tailor it to your window space and carry out a professional fitting too. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our knowledgeable team today with any enquiries – we’re always happy to help.

The post How To Control Your Home’s Temperature With Blinds appeared first on Leamington Blinds.