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Yes, curtains can be incredibly effective insulators and with a proper thermal lining, they can reduce heat loss by up to 60%! Glass is a very poor insulator, so adding thermal curtains can make a big difference, keeping the warm air in during winter and keeping the heat out during summer.

Yes, thermal curtains keep the cold out in winter by blocking draughts from windows and by adding several layers of thermal material between you and the glass of the window. Thermal curtains are a great way to keep your home more comfortable all winter long.

Yes, thermal curtains do keep out the heat, too! While it’s more common to hear about thermal curtains for use in winter, they’re actually very useful year round, reducing heat gain by up to 33% on windows that get direct sunlight.

Short answer – there isn’t one. Both thermal and insulated curtains help to insulate your home and keep it warmed in winter and cooler in summer with either a thermal coating or a thermal lining. Sometimes places will refer to a thermal curtain as one with a coating applied and an insulated curtain as one with a lining added, but they are effectively the same result and we use the term ‘thermal’ for both.

Thermal curtains reduce heat transfer by about 25% which, over the course of a year can make a big difference to your heating/air conditioning costs. However, it’s worth remembering that thermal curtains don’t produce heat, they only help retain or repel it, so they’re not a replacement for a proper heating and cooling unit.

There are two types of thermal curtains, lined or coated. You can tell if your curtains are thermal but taking a close look at the layers (thermal lined curtains usually have 3 layers of fabric), or at the back of the fabric for an applied coating. You can also check your curtain’s tags for more information.

There are a few main things to consider when choosing thermal curtains, including:

• How much insulation is required

• The location of the window

• Your style and colour palette

Unless you’re highly experienced in interior styling and curtain functionality, we recommend booking a free in-home consultation with one of our experts to get advice on this important purchase.

Thermal curtains are definitely worth the money! They can make a significant difference to the warmth of your home throughout winter.

Installing thermal curtains is just like installing regular curtains, however you’ll want to make sure your rod or track is strong enough to hold them as thermal curtains can be heavier than some other styles. But if you purchase through Russells, you won’t have to worry about it! We make sure your new curtains are installed professionally.

While some materials like wool or heavier cotton have some natural thermal properties, the best materials are specifically made thermal materials. These are usually made of some type of coated acrylic or similar.

When choosing thermal curtains, look for materials that will naturally add insulating properties and consider adding a thermal lining or coating for maximum energy efficiency.

Yes, thermal curtains are ideal for large sliding doors as they’ll add insulation to an area that often loses plenty of heat.

No, blackout curtains are designed to blockout light while thermal curtains are designed to maximise efficiency. There is a bit of an overlap with thermal curtains also blocking most light and blockout curtains adding a bit of insulating properties, but you should decide which function is a bigger priority for your home.

Thermal curtains are not soundproof, but the same insulating properties that protect against the cold, also help absorb sound. So thermal curtains will help with sound transfer, but not to the point of being sound proof.