DESIGN NOTES window blinds
Beyond Window Dressing
Thanks to a new generation of gorgeous, hi-tech thermal blinds,
the sun is about to set on your faded drapery.
Words Cindy Lord
Light, glorious light. We don’t need to be
convinced of the positives of windows, which
let in natural light, fresh air and those all-
important views. But in the rush to open up our
homes we sometimes forget windows can also
be solar and thermal disasters, letting in heat
and damaging UV rays in summer and leaking
warmth in winter. Most windows confer as
many problems as they do benefits, and few
windows are complete without an effective
window covering.
One of the benefits of good curtains or
blinds is a reduction in demand for artificial
lighting and air-conditioning, leading
to electricity savings and a decrease in
greenhouse gases. Luckily there is no shortage
of good curtains and blinds on the market.
Efficient window coverings are probably
the biggest non-structural investment you can
make towards home climate control. Roller
blinds and panel glides, venetians and internal
shutters all have their pros and cons. But how
effective are they and which is right for you?
Firstly, let’s look at what you need to consider.
Sun Control
Drawing the curtains has been the traditional
response to the UV problem, but it’s no longer
an open or shut case. Solar shades are widely
available that are designed to reduce glare,
heat and light while allowing outward vision.
The fabrics range in opacity (openness factor
expressed as a percentage) from total block-
out to virtually transparent, depending on the
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openness of the weave and degree of visual
light transmittance (VLT). A low openness
factor (eg 1%) equals higher UV blockage, but
less visibility. A higher openness factor (eg 7%)
gives the reverse.
Interior designer Jessica Nixon of
Okologi Sustainable Interiors spends a lot
of time thinking about blinds. “One exciting
development I’m seeing is blinds with inbuilt
sun sensors and timers for increased climate
control. Motorised blinds that automatically
adjust according to the level of sunlight or
wind, even when you’re not at home, are going
to be part of the smart homes of the future.”
Thermal Insulation
Glass is a very bad insulator. According to the
CSIRO, a window loses 10 times as much heat
as a wall in winter, and in summer a standard
window can add as much heat to a room as
a small radiator. By covering windows you
reduce heat gain and loss. Window coverings
trap air in an insulating pocket between the
pane and the covering, especially when there’s
a pelmet involved. “With blinds you want
pelmets, tracks at the sides and a close fit to
the sill,” says ecospecifier’s David Baggs.
“Blinds that hang free have less impact and
vertical blinds are next to useless.
“And keep in mind that any sun-screening
for thermal benefits works better on the
outside of the window than inside.”
Jessica Nixon says curtains with pelmets
are better in winter, especially in southern
DESIGN NOTES window blinds
L
When compared with the
insulative qualities of curtains,
blinds have always come off
second best – but companies
like Vertilux are working to
redress the balance. Their
Vertilux Fully Enclosed
Kassett range fits completely
over the window with full
length side rails minimising
air and light leakage.
www.vertilux.com.au
states. “Blinds are not as good insulators
because they lack depth. You tend to find
blinds are more efficient at lessening heat gain
in summer than preventing loss in winter.”
Increasingly, however, blind-makers are
addressing the insulation issue. Options on the
market include the Luxaflex Duette Architella
Shade, which uses a honeycomb construction
to trap air. Or there’s the Vertilux Fully
Enclosed Kassett 1.13, which fits completely
over the window with metal side rails for
maximum insulation.
Other solutions include pleated blinds
on tracks, twin roller blinds that trap a layer
of air, and a dual system that combines blinds
and curtains. Says Nixon: “I recommend
translucent blinds that can be used in summer
when you want to block out heat and UV, with
curtains for the added benefit of insulation in
winter and a softer look.
L
“And remember lighter colours reflect Luxaflex have produced
more light and heat than darker ones.” a Duette Architella fabric
which has a polyester
honeycomb construction
Fabrics and Finishes to trap air and increase
the insulative benefits of
The style and fabric of window treatments the material. Blinds installed
have huge aesthetic and thermal impacts. But as fully-recessed or reveal-
mounted – which means
it’s not only about looks and functionality: installed inside the window
frame rather than on the
the materials used have an impact on the
face – will perform better
environment and your health. The most eco- thermally.
www.luxaflex.com.au
friendly are 100 per cent natural products and
those with low volatile organic compound
(VOC) levels. “Most people think of VOCs in
paints, but window furnishings also contain
chemicals that can off-gas into the home over
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 DESIGN NOTES window blinds
“Blinds are not good insulators because they
lack depth, but increasingly blind-makers are
addressing the insulation issue.”
a long period and create toxic environments,”
Nixon says.
Blinds made from 100 per cent polyester
fabrics such as Trevira CS or Mermet
Greenscreen are PVC free and low VOC.
Fabrics with a super-thin aluminised backing
reflect more heat. While polyester is based on a
fossil fuel petrochemical polymer, it does offer
an alternative for consumers concerned about
PVC.
Accreditation
The ecospecifier website (www.ecospecifier.
org) offers a green guide to internal and
external window coverings that considers
embodied energy, life cycle and materials. Look
for a product’s G-rating to determine energy
efficiency. Seek out suppliers and products
with GECA (Good Environmental Choice
Australia) accreditation or the Ecospecifier
GreenTag. Timber products that carry FSC
(Forest Stewardship Council) certification are
also a good bet.
Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds, and
Panel Glides
Roller blinds have surged in popularity, largely
due to the trend to minimalist interiors. Cris
Edwards of interior design firm MEI says there
are some great solar blinds on the market
from Verosol. Vertilux, Hunter Douglas and
Citishade also produce blinds that get Cris’
nod.
“Not only do they have eco-friendly
materials, they have metallised backings
that reflect heat and lower the need for air-
conditioning. And you can still see through
them so you have an uninterrupted view. The
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clean lines give a modern architectural look.
“The negative is they damage easily, and
when used on sliding or French doors it’s not
easy to get in or out when they’re down. Panel
glides are another sleek option, but block about
a third of your window if they can’t be stacked
on a wall.”
Bamboo Blinds
Bamboo blinds are lightweight, affordable and
made from a renewable resource. “They used
to have a reputation for being cheap and nasty,
but we’re seeing more used in high-end beach
houses to give a retro look,” Edwards says.
The downside is they are difficult to roll up
and down, they don’t last a long time and they
are not good insulators.
Venetian Blinds
Venetian blinds offer good light control and
they’re robust and easy to maintain. Blades
range from 20mm to 100mm in metal, PVC,
man-made compositions, laminated or solid
timbers. The downside is they are not good
insulators.
“Don’t buy anything that is not FSC
certified because you can be almost guaranteed
it’s Asian rainforest,” warns David Baggs. “Be
wary of uncertified western red cedar. It comes
from North America and there’s no way to
ensure no old growth forests are in the mix.”
Internal Shutters
Internal shutters are often referred to as
plantation shutters. “Timber shutters are an
alternative to venetian blinds, but they are
more expensive,” says Edwards. “The same
rules apply as when buying timber venetians
DESIGN NOTES window blinds
– check the source and sustainability.” You
should also check that the slats can be
interlocked so they can insulate against drafts
as much as possible. D
These blinds are from
Mermet’s Greenscreen range
Fabric window furnishing and are a transparent
polyester blind used for heat
Curtains and custom fabric roman blinds fall reflection. The Greenscreen
into the decorative tradition and are making a Vela Met range has a thin
metallised layer to even more
huge comeback. effectively reduce heat glare.
“Obviously solid or lined fabrics block out These fabrics are low VOC,
PVC-free and recyclable.
all the light and offer really good insulation,” www.mermet.com.au
says Cris Edwards. “Sheers give good privacy
while maintaining the view but are not so good
at insulating. A combination of the two is a
good idea – sheers for day and total block-out at
night. A double track is easy to install.”
Her fabric of choice is hemp, followed by
linen, cotton and lastly synthetics. “I do a lot of
sheers in hemp, which is naturally UV resistant
and resistant to mould, mildew and bacteria.
It looks a lot like cotton canvas and comes in
sheers and solids in a multitude of colours.
Hemp has been made in Australia for a long
time, but it’s new to home interiors.” (For a
D
look at hemp fabrics, see www.hemptech.com. Curtains may be the best
au and www.hempgallery.com.au.) solution over a doorway
which needs to be opened
“Linen is made from flax and is another on a regular basis. These
eco-friendly choice. Cotton is not so good – it curtains are fitted from ceiling
to stair – to reduce draughts
uses tons of water and pesticides.” – and are made from a thick
The downside of natural fabrics is they insulative material. Photo by
Rhiannon Slatter
do not stand up to UV radiation as well as G
synthetics and may need to be replaced sooner. Internal timber shutters
are becoming increasingly
popular, but there are few
models on the market that
insulate effectively. Look for
models that are made from
sustainably sourced
renewable materials. This
window could benefit from
the addition of curtains in
winter to reduce draughts.
Photo by Rhiannon Slatter
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