Draperies Can Help Insulate your Home

Most people never think of draperies or curtains as insulation, but people have been using them to shield their homes from the elements for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In the Middle Ages, for instance, windows were much smaller than we have today, sometimes no more than a crack or hole for looking out of. There was no glass covering them, so they used oil-covered linen or other material, which served the dual purposes of a covering and a home accent, as our draperies do today.

Draperies today serve three purposes: They decorate our homes, insulate them from the cold/heat and provide us with the security of knowing that people can’t see inside our homes. The heavier the material, the better it will insulate your house. If the fabric has a lining, it will provide even more protection. Not only will the lining add to the curtain’s insulating capacity, but it will also make the draperies heavier, hang better and be wrinkle-free. The added weight helps the material hold its shape and the lining will even help prevent sun and moisture damage, extending the life of your draperies. An additional benefit is noise reduction.

There are many window treatments available nowadays. Fabrics with high fiber content, such as cotton and wool, are the best insulators. In addition, there are special materials, which have been manufactured with added thermal protection, and commercial linings are available, which have been treated for fire resistance. They come in all styles, sizes and colors to suit virtually anyone’s taste. You’ll need to shop around to find just the right fabric for each room of your house at a price you can afford.