Are Wooden Blinds Warm?
With Christmas swiftly approaching, we are undoubtedly in the midst of winter. Keeping our homes warm becomes our seasonal focus - especially as energy prices continue to rise. Finding ways to lock heat into each and every room to create a haven of comfort is key. And, the right window blinds will help you to do just this. If you’ve found yourself drawn to wooden blinds - one of the more traditional options on the market - you may be wondering whether they are warm enough to keep up with the demands of your family this winter. Read on and let our experts here at Lifestyle Blinds help you find the right answer.
What are wooden blinds?
With so many window blind options on the market, it can get confusing to differentiate between them. Wooden blinds are perhaps one of the most visually recognisable. They consist of multiple wooden slats that sit horizontally within a corded frame. Using a twist wand or pull cord, these slats can be rotated in unison to either expose or cover a window. And, in a similar manner to vertical blinds and Venetian blinds, they can also be pulled upwards to let as much natural light in as possible.
Wooden slats are available in both real wood and faux wood designs, depending on your needs. Real wood blinds are ideal for areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, bringing unique comfort and style into your space. If you’re partial to the organic marks and tones of wood but need something that can withstand extreme temperatures or high humidity, faux wood blinds are designed to fit a need. They are manufactured from PVC with a textured wood-like finish that allows you to achieve the same look without the risk of warping or mould growth.
Do they help with temperature management?
Window blinds play several roles within the home, including:
- Light management
- Privacy management
- Temperature management
Due to the multiple-slat design, wooden blinds offer heightened control over natural light. You have more flexibility when it comes to how much of your window is covered at any given time. Open the slats slightly to allow muted light in or draw the blind up entirely to get as much sunlight as possible. Equally, they are an effective option for privacy management too. You can twist the slats to the right angle which allows you to appreciate the depth of night outside without allowing passers-by to see in.
When it comes to temperature control, real wood blinds are the best. Glass is a poor conductor of heat. This means that unexposed windows will allow a considerable percentage of internal heat to pass through and leave the property. It’s estimated that households lose approximately 10% of their overall heat through windows with ⅔ of this loss through radiation through the glazing. Window blinds provide a physical barrier to reduce this significantly. The best blocker would be a solid piece of fabric (we’ll discuss these options later on in this blog). But the right material will also help you to better control heat loss. Real wood, for example, is a natural insulator. When your wooden blinds are closed, they trap heat inside and absorb it. This makes them a popular option during winter and one that can help to effectively reduce your household bills.
Are wooden blinds warm?
So, are wooden blinds warm? Real wood blinds - yes! Real wood blinds will help you to manage temperature loss. This means that your central heating system will have to work less to keep a room comfortable. Equally, during the summer, you’ll be able to lock in the cooler air from the morning and minimise the risk of heat build-up in your home. The best way to benefit from this is to use your window blinds properly. You should:
- Keep your window blinds closed during the hottest parts of the day during Summer.
- Keep your window blinds closed during the coldest parts of the day during Winter
- Open your window blinds at the optimal time during the day (during the colder hours in the summer and during the warmer hours in the winter).
Wooden blinds also have an integral warmth in their design. Wood has natural grains and warm tones that can visually make a room feel cosy. Options such as the Bali Real Wood Blinds or the Soho Real Wood Blinds can pull together the warmer hues in other wooden accents around the room. If you’re working with a larger room that feels cold and uninspiring, wooden blinds will help you transform this instantly.
What are my other options?
One thing to remember when choosing blinds specifically for temperature management is draughts. While wooden blinds have natural thermal insulation that will help to minimise cold, they also feature individual slats. No matter how tightly closed these sit, there will be gaps that allow some degree of heat out of a room. If you are challenged with heat loss in your home and need a more practical option, you should look at thermal blackout roller blinds. These energy-saving blinds feature a solid reel of reflective fabric that traps heat inside in the winter. When rolled down, they will also work to reflect harsh sunlight during the summer, preventing the heat build-up we mentioned above.
The beauty of thermal blackout blinds is the multitude of colours and styles that they come in. You could opt for something rich and luxurious such as the Mirage Solar Dark Blue or go bolder in your design with the Flower Bomb Bright roller blinds. Either way, there’s no reason why you need to sacrifice style when trying to be practical.
Lifestyle Blinds is where you’ll find the widest selection of both wooden blinds and roller blinds to suit your room and its individual needs. We also have a team of experienced professionals on hand to help you identify the right option today. If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of us, please do get in contact here today.
