Does the sunlight stream into your house, making it warmer than you’d like? If you don’t have the proper window coverings, you may be fighting a losing battle. Or perhaps you are someone who needs to be able to sleep during the day without sunlight interrupting your rest? An easy, inexpensive solution to these issues is to use insulating blinds or curtains to reduce the amount of heat and light that stream into your home.
With the proper insulating blinds you can feel a marked difference in temperature and a huge reduction of the amount of light. Insulating blinds can also be beneficial in the winter, as they allow less cold air from entering your home. By finding the right blinds for your home, you will save energy and money, and likely get better daytime sleep, as well.
Here, we discuss some of the common terms used when buying blinds and then provide you with a list of some of the best, most affordable options for insulating blinds and curtains.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Insulating Blinds
- OUR TOP PICK: Deconovo Grommet Blackout Curtains
- RUNNER-UP: Utopia Thermal Insulating Window Curtains
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Miuco 2-Panel Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Best Insulating Blinds Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
Best Budget Option  |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
 |
| View Latest Price → |
What is R-Value and Shading Coefficient?
Two numbers are often mentioned when discussing blinds and their impact on your home’s heating or cooling load. One number is the R-Value and the other is the shading coefficient.
The R-Value is an indicator of a given material’s resistance to heat flow and how well it resists heat gain or loss. So the higher the R-value, the better the insulation.
On the other hand, the shading coefficient is a measure of a fabric’s ability to reduce heat transfer from outside the window to the inside. For example, a shading coefficient of 0.35 means 65% of the heat stays outside. A lower shading coefficient translates into less heat gain, more reflected heat, and lower cooling costs for you.
Factors that affect your home’s heating load include the size and positioning of the windows, the types blinds or curtains you use, and properly designed shades.
Review of the Best Insulating Blinds
We think buying blinds for your home should be a rewarding, enjoyable experience, so rather than letting you waste time looking for the right blinds, we’ve scoured the market for the best ones. Here are some of our top picks:
Best Overall
Deconovo Grommet Blackout Curtains
Specifications
Material: 8 x 11 x 11″
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Review
These thermal insulated blackout curtains from Deconovo are silky, soft, and feel very nice. They are available in three different size options (42×63 inch, 42×84 inch, 42×95 inch) and are sold in one panel per package. They come in a variety of colors and can reduce light effectively, with darker colors reducing the light better.
Each curtain panel has six silver color grommets that slide smoothly across the rails. These curtains help ensure your privacy and add an elegant look to any room. They are machine washable.
Bottom Line
A great choice of curtains for their good looks, easy care, and blackout properties. You can ‘blindly’ choose these curtains and be sure of a great experience.
Pros
Don’t gather dust
Machine washable
Darken the room effectively
High-quality, expensive look
Cons
Sizes don’t fit some windows
Runner-up
Utopia Thermal Insulating Window Curtains
Specifications
Material: Polyester, Polyester Blend
% of Light Blockage: 99%
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Review
Utopia’s thermal insulating curtains are made of 250 GSM, (Grams per Square Meter), of polyester fabric and come in a set of two panels that effectively block out unwanted light and insulate well. A panel will easily fit on standard curtain rods and also slides onto hooks.
Each panel comes with seven hooks and measures 52 inches wide by 63 inches long, covering a total area of 104 inches by 63 inches. There are seven back loops per panel and two matching tiebacks are included. The curtains can block up to 99 percent of light and UV rays, as well as filter approximately 60 percent of the outside noise from entering the room.
Bottom Line
These curtains are a fantastic choice for people who need to sleep during the daylight hours and don’t want to be disturbed by noise and sunlight in their rooms.
Pros
Insulates well
Fits both rods and hooks
Blocks 99% of light and UV
Blocks around 60% of outside noise
Cons
None
Best for the Money
MIUCO Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
Specifications
Materials: Innovative triple-weave construction
% of Light Blockage: 98% – 100%
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Review
These curtains come with two panels, each 52 inches wide by 63 inches long. Each panel has eight metal grommets with a 1.6-inch inner diameter. They give a luxury look and hang better due to their design.
Their innovative triple-weave construction helps block up to 98% sunlight and 100% of UV rays, with darker colors being more effective. These blackout curtains can filter approximately 60% of the outside noise, creating a peaceful sleep environment.
They make your house more energy efficient by helping keep the heat in the room during the winter, and vice versa during summer. This could reduce your heating bill by up to 30%.
They are easy to clean and can be machine washed.
Bottom Line
If you’re on the night shift and want to sleep during the daytime, these blackout curtains will keep you from being disturbed by both sound and light during your siesta!
Pros
Machine washable
Block around 98% of sunlight
Block up to 60% outside noise
Cons
Doesn’t work with hooks
NICETOWN Window Treatment Thermal Insulated Blackout Drapes
Specifications
Materials: Polyester
% of Light Blockage: 85%-99%
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Review
These polyester curtains have two panels per package, each 52″ wide x 45″ long. The design of the silver grommet (1.6-inch inner diameter) makes the curtains easy to install and slide.
The curtains are heavy and soft, with an elegant, luxury look. They can block 85%-99% of light, as well as are thermal insulated, soundproof, fade-resistant, and energy efficient. Both sides of the curtains are the same color. They also enhance your privacy, while bringing you great comfort and helping to save on bills.
Bottom Line
If you want to sleep during the daytime, these blackout curtains will keep you from being disturbed by both sound and light. They’ll also help make your home more energy efficient!
Pros
Fits most rods
Fade-resistant
Block up to 99% of light and UV radiation
Cons
Do not provide great insulation
NICETOWN Sliding Door Insulated Blackout Curtains
Specifications
Material: Polyester
We may earn commission from purchases made from our links, at no additional cost to you
Review
These curtains are made of heavy but super soft triple weave polyester fabric. Both front and back are made from the same material.
They are wide enough to cover a sliding door perfectly and block out most of light and UV rays. The high-performance thermal insulation balances room temperature by insulating against summer heat and winter chill, reducing air conditioning costs, and reducing noise too.They come thread trimmed and wrinkle-free, ready for immediate set up on a sliding door, patio door, or any large window.
Bottom Line
These extra wide blackout curtains will fit sliding doors and large windows, to keep you from being disturbed by both sound and light. They’ll also help make your home more energy efficient!
Pros
Good thermal insulation
Great for sliding doors, extra wide
Heavy and super soft fabric, premium feel
Cons
Reports of not providing sufficient insulation
Conclusion
Curtains and blinds help to insulate your home against both heat in the summer and cold in the winter, as well as cutting down on noise pollution and providing shade. Being highly versatile and stylish, they are every interior designer’s dream!
Make sure you select blinds that will look good in your room, but also will have sufficient insulation and shade from the sun so that you and your family are comfortable. Check out some of our top picks for some great deals!
