Recent news predictions have shown that 2015 will see one of the coldest winters in the world. Melbourne has already reported one of its coldest winters in 25 years, as identified by the Bureau of Meteorology. Clearly, it is time to weatherproof your home.
How Your House Loses Heat
An Edinburgh World Heritage Trust study has used thermal imaging to define how much heat a home can lose through its windows. As winters see people cooped up indoors, doors are usually kept shut, making windows the most important exit for heat. While shuttered and curtained windows, or windows with blinds appear blue (depicting low heat loss), those without any shutters, curtains, or blinds drawn shown high heat loss.
Up to 30% of heat is lost occurs through draughts, and a substantial portion of that goes through doors and windows. This means that draught proofing is essential to prevent heat loss.
This is where Shutters and Blinds Come In
Any window dressing not only beauties your home and interior, but also eliminate draughts, and loss of heat. Blinds create a layer between the window and the room, reducing heat loss. Consider the movement of hot air – it rushes up towards cold areas, where it cools, falls, and then circulates as a cold draught.
What Types of Window Dressing is Best for Winters?
Roman blinds, Venetian, or wooden blinds all use thick materials, making them great for insulation and also checking draughts. Venetian and wooden blinds also have slats letting you control how much you want to open them. Alternatively, thick curtains also are great for reducing any draughts. However, you need to close up towards early evening before you start indoor heating to truly get the benefits of these.
Shutters, Your Best Bet
Even better than blinds and curtains are shutters. Once considered a 20th century old fashioned house decor accessory, the shutter has come back in style, and research has shown that it is incredibly effective at retaining heat. Curtains only reduce heat loss by 15%; shutters can check loss by 50%, or even higher! Shutters are a good investment for the summer too, keeping the heat out, and keeping your room cool during the months when air conditioning is necessary. Shutters Australia creates incredibly well fitted shutter blinds, perfect for insulating your home in the winter months.
What Type of Shutters should you Buy?
While you’ll find many decor variations, you need to know your basics first. You can opt for either internal or external shutters, but you must ensure they fit perfectly against the window frame to create an insulated air space. However, internal shutters require a clear space on either side of the window when you open the window during the day. Researchers believe that window shutters are as effective as double glazed windows for insulation, making them a better and cheaper solution for heat loss.
For the warmer months, you can consider awnings for homes, to protect your patio from the glare of the sun, which are available at great prices at http://www.shuttersaustralia.com.au/products/ziptrak-awnings/.