When it comes to insulating window coverings, choosing the right product and fabric is only half the battle. Photo: Aurora Designs.
Many Canberrans are paying good money for insulating window coverings but failing to get the benefits they expect because of poor quality material or installation.
Aurora Designs & Window Furnishings director Joel Symmans says, in the battle to keep the heating bill down, finding the best window coverings for insulation is only half the battle. Many people are missing the crucial element of managing heat loss in the ACT’s “notoriously leaky” homes.
Up to 61 per cent of a home’s heating energy can be lost through windows, making the right window coverings one of the best defences.
While double or triple glazing may sound like the gold standard, Joel says good quality window coverings can be a far more affordable way to reduce heat loss and still offer serious impact.
“A good insulating window covering can improve your insulation by up to 52 per cent,” he says. “Honeycomb blinds and curtains are your two main options and you’ll need thick ones in Canberra. Opt for natural fibres like linen, cotton and wool, they do a better job of blocking cold air transfer.”
In today’s digital age, many clients come to Joel armed with Pinterest boards and online shopping carts.
While online research is a great first step, he cautions against purchasing off-the-shelf products.
“Bear in mind the options you’re presented online are often biased to the seller’s repertoire. Or, you might see a beautiful AI-generated picture that makes the product look great and a certain price attached, but that often comes with quite limited specifications,” he says.
“When online products arrive often the fabric is thin, the componentry is substituted for a cheaper model, they’ll sometimes arrive damaged or packaged in enormous amounts of plastic and then you have to book someone on Airtasker to install them.
“Ultimately, you can end up spending far more in the long run for an inferior product.”
The Aurora Designs team goes beyond measuring, offering expert advice on product, fabric, and installation for both function and style. Photo: Aurora Designs.
But even the world’s best product and fabric will fail you if you botch the installation.
Joel says there’s a clear difference between someone who’s just there to measure and someone who truly understands what makes a window covering perform and look its best.
“When someone has been in the industry a long time, their advice is not just about the ‘width and drop’ – they’ll tell you what’s going to look nice and help you save on your bills,” he says.
Joel adds that two-thirds of Canberra homes still have single-glazing timber frames, so going as high and wide with your window coverings as possible is the best way to block the airflow.
“Newer homes are built with bigger windows, because we Aussies want that beautiful light coming into our homes and that can provide a challenge for keeping the heat out in summer and the cold out in winter,” Joel says.
“Fortunately the modern trend is to go high with your window coverings anyway and this can look stunning if installed properly.
“You want the covering to start above the top of the window frame and drop below and bottom and to cover either side generously as well.”
Ultimately, it’s all about getting the most out of the spaces you already have and that doesn’t stop at the back door.
Many Australians invest heavily in beautiful outdoor areas, but abandon them for half the year when the temperature drops.
“And it doesn’t have to be that way,” Joel says.
“There are some great products you can enclose those spaces with. I use an e-zip awning at home and a cost-effective heater linked to our solar system and my family and I use our deck year-round.”
“The bottom line is the right coverings, properly installed, can make all the difference in staying warm, cutting costs and enjoying your entire home, even through a Canberra winter.”
For more information visit Aurora Designs & Window Furnishings.
