Having trouble paying your nightly visit to the land of nod, now that the sunny season has arrived? Don’t worry; you’re not on your own! The summer sun comes at a price for many of us, when morning time begins to arrive before its welcome, and the moon starts to feel like a long lost friend.

Help is indeed at hand however, in the form of blackout curtains and blinds. The blackout lining option that you can choose with most made-to-measure curtain and blind companies can be a godsend for rooms that are east-facing, for example, because they completely block out the sunlight to give you the good nights sleep you deserve.

As an added bonus, all types of blackout lining have thermal retention properties, meaning that they keep the heat in during winter. Blackout lining will typically cost a little bit more than standard cotton lining would, but the added benefits – both short term with regards to the light, and long term when you inevitably start saving money on your energy bills – are going to be well worth the investment.

Blackout lining is made using a poly/cotton mix (blackout lining made from 100% natural materials doesn’t yet exist). The fabric is then coated in an acrylic layer to increase its light-blocking properties. Manufacturers of blackout lining normally offer a range of colours, but curtain makers, like the Natural Curtain Company, mostly offer white and off-white colours.

One of the fastest and less expensive ways to insulate a room is to place insulated curtains on the windows. They can be very beautiful, perfect for any home and there are so many different styles to choose from. Insulated curtains are a 100% cotton face fabric that is very heavy and insulated on the back lining with strong foam. There are many sizes available in the curtains, including 80 x 84”, 40 x 15”, tiebacks of 24 x 3” and 50 x 2” for wider windows. These curtains are available in many colours, prints and styles. Some of the colours include moss, gold, sage, sienna, navy and linen. There are many reasons why insulated curtains are chosen for window treatments. They provide privacy, keep out cold or hot air and shade a room.

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When an insulated curtain is closed, it will not only keep out bright sunlight but also prevent anyone that is outside from being able to see in. The fabric of the curtains is so thick that a lot of light is not able to get through it. They will not keep out the sunlight completely, but will block most of it. Insulated curtains are made with a 100% acrylic thermal lining; therefore, they block light and noise. The sunlight will be blocked by the insulated curtains when needed to but will also absorb the light and heat on colder days. They will reflect the sunlight, send a warm tint into the room and also provide coolness in a room on a hot day.

With the high costs of heating and cooling homes today, insulated curtains can help to minimize costs. Heat that is lost through windows can be quite costly. The heat that a home looses through windows and doors adds up to 50 percent of the home’s energy costs. With older windows, it is a good idea to place insulated curtains on them to save money on your heating bill.

There are many stores today that carry insulated window curtains. You can shop local stores, retail outlets and online stores. Furnishing stores are also a good place to find a large variety. Stores that are found online have great selections as well as prices that are affordable.

Just as important as the curtains are the fixtures. No matter how nice your curtains are, they will look unfinished or awkward if the proper fixtures are not chosen to complete the look. Luckily, there are many options and one is sure to coordinate with your decor.

There are two categories of curtain fixtures- track and rod. Track fixtures have a cord that is used to open the curtains, which are attached to the rod with curtain hooks. On a rod fixture the curtains are affixed with hoops or hooks and they are opened manually.

There are two main types of track fixtures, sometimes known as rails. A flexible track can be curved to go over arched windows. A fixed track comes in predetermined lengths and you must measure carefully before purchasing.

Curtain rods also come in many varieties. Where as curtain tracks are meant to be hidden by the drapes, rods are part of the design element and special care must be taken when deciding on which to purchase. They come in many different materials and widths. Finials may be part of the rod or may come separate.

Cafe rods are for small windows that will have half curtains on them, such as in a kitchen window. The are narrow rods and usually not overly decorative. Often they come in a brass tone or they are white.

Metal rods are quite decorative, and may have texture and ridges on the rod itself. Wrought iron is a very popular choice, as is brushed steel. Heavy curtains look good on wide diameter wooden rods, which are available in a multitude of finishes. Both metal and wooden rods require a finial if one is not built in, otherwise the rods won’t look complete. Complementary hooks, fabric loops, or rings attach curtains to the rod.

Finials also come in a variety of materials and styles. Finials should match the finish of the rod, so a brass rod would have brass finials and so forth. Finials come in many styles from simple and modern to organic and intricate. Stick with the style of the room and choose a suitable finish to complement your current decorating scheme.

Swag knobs and curtain tiebacks are also available in wooden or metal models and should match the other curtain fixtures if used. Otherwise they should either compliment the window frame or the decor. Tiebacks come in either a knob or hook style and are usually metal, though the knob style can be found in wood. When deciding which swag knob or tieback to get make sure they compliment and do not overwhelm the curtains.

Using interlined or thermally lined curtains or Roman blinds is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to insulate your home. They cut your energy bills significantly, even during the long, cold winter months. They also reduce your electric bills in the summer by keeping out excessive heat. In addition, they keep out more light, as well as noise, than conventional window coverings with their extra “wadding”. Finally, they do all this, yet still look elegant on your windows.

The interlining is usually an extra padding that lies between the facing material and the inner lining. Thermal lining uses a special thermal layer specifically designed to restrict the flow of cold air into the room through the window, in the winter, and out the window, during the summer.

Roman blinds, by design, create a modern, elegant look to your house or apartment. Curtains create a classic look that brings dignity to your living space. When they are thermally lined, functionality and elegance come together to create a comfortably warm yet sophisticated interior environment. You can proudly entertain even the finickiest guests on the coldest evenings.

As with regular curtains and Roman blinds, you can request any type of fabric for the facing material of your custom sewn thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds. And when made and cared for properly, they can last from ten to twenty years, thus further paying for themselves in addition to reducing your energy bills.

You can buy factory made interlined or thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds for less, while still being assured of the highest quality lined items on the market. However, custom designed Roman blinds assure that any window, regardless of proportion, will be precisely covered, corner to corner, with no embarassing gaps between the window frames and the blinds, or sloppy overlap because they are too wide for a particular window.

Additionally, a professional window attachments company will be aware that if you wish to have both the thermally lined curtains as well as the thermally lined Roman blinds, the latter cannot simply be hung on a rod over the window. Their professionals will know that if the curtain rod is placed above the Roman blinds rod over the window, it will not provide the necessary space between the two that would otherwise further help to trap cold air. And, of course, it will look extremely sloppy, which is not what you want for your interior environment.

Thermal lining for curtains and Roman blinds usually runs anywhere from 60 centimeters to 140 centimeters, but again, you can request whatever thickness suits your particular needs. So if you have windows facing north or northeast, you will probably want the curtains and Roman blinds that will be placed over them to be somewhat thicker than those facing south or southwest. In addition, if you have windows that are not on the first or second floor, but rather on a third, fourth, or higher floor, then again, you will want a thicker lining.

And despite the extra lining, Roman blinds can also still be designed with either narrow or wider pleats, depending on your taste. So, if you prefer wider pleats for the dining or living rooms, and narrower pleats for the bathrooms or kitchen, they work equally as well. You do not have to sacrifice warmth for beauty.

It is impressive that interlined or thermally lined curtains and Roman blinds can be so practical and cost effective, while at the same time be so sophisticated and unique. Speak with your window attachments professional to see what exciting creations they can design for you.