Are there any blinds that will help reduce noise levels?

I get asked this question often and the good news is, yes there are several very effective solutions which can really help reduce noise levels and are really good heat insulators as well!

Some of the best solutions are as follows

Shutters

Shutters are brilliant insulators of both heat and noise. Our Vazon, Alderney or Herm Ranges are the best as these shutters are made of much denser material than the others. Obviously though the noise reduction only works when the shutter slats are closed!

Honeycomb Pleated Blinds

Pleated blinds come in a wide range of colours and these blinds have a honeycomb structure which traps a layer of air between the pleats of the fabric. This means that the shape of the blinds absorbs sound making these a practical and stylish choice.

Curtains with Acoustic Interlining

Curtains with a special acoustic interlining can also be a good choice as the lining  absorbs the noise, so the fabric on the outside can be any from our huge range, giving a massive choice of colours, patterns and textures to choose from. You can also team the acoustic interlining with a blackout lining for the ultimate in darker and quieter bedrooms!

Wooden Venetian Blinds

These are the  most cost effective way of achieving some sound reduction although not as effective as some of our other blinds, wooden venetian blinds are a stylish addition to any window

With so many choices there is bound to be one which will help reduce noise pollution and help you achieve a quieter room

For more information visit our Noise Reduction Products Page

Thermal Insulating Window Coverings

As the weather is getting colder, ways of keeping the house warm and cosy are at the forefront of many thoughts.

Just looking out at dark, grey skies can be enough to make you feel cold, so, choosing new thermal insulating window coverings is a great way to help reduce heat loss.

Of course, putting up any type of well fitting window dressings will help reduce heat loss, however there are several styles of window coverings which have better insulating properties. In this blog I am going to discuss some of these, however this is not an exhaustive list.

1) Lined Curtains or Roman Blinds.

Lined curtains and roman blinds have a natural air-gap between the face fabric and the lining which improves the thermal properties of them, and, if you wish to wish to improve this further , then the use of a thermal interlining can make a huge difference.

From personal experience, I have a thermal interlined curtain which I can pull across the doorway separating my Kitchen from my conservatory. Since installing this I have been able o turn down the heating in the conservatory significantly, without the rest of the house becoming cold as a result, which in turn has substantially reduced my heating costs.

2) Plantation Shutters.

These are one of the best types of insulative window dressings, tests which have been done show that installing shutters on a single glazed window can have the same effect on thermal and sound insulation as installing double glazing!

3) Roller or Vertical Blinds with a Solar Reflective Coating.

These type of roller blinds usually have a thin coating of aluminum sprayed on the back of the fabric to reflect more of the heat back out of the window in the Summer months, however, of course, the reverse occurs in the winter and more of the heat generated from your radiators in the Winter will be reflected back into the room. The roller blind is one of the most cost effective solutions.

As I mentioned before this is not an exhaustive list, however these window dressings do represent some of the very best types for thermal insulation

Wishing you the very best, warm and cosy New Year !

The Design Guru x