Journal · Expert advice
As Winter Approaches, Keep the Cold Out with Sway Curtains
With energy costs climbing and winter settling in, the gap between what you pay to heat your home and how warm it actually feels often comes down to your windows. A heater running against a draughty window is working twice as hard for half the result. Here’s how blackout curtains, blinds, shutters and sheers each perform when it comes to stopping heat loss, and what actually moves the needle on your bill.
With energy costs climbing and winter settling in, the gap between what you pay to heat your home and how warm it actually feels often comes down to your windows. A heater running against a draughty window is working twice as hard for half the result. Here’s how blackout curtains, blinds, shutters and sheers each perform when it comes to stopping heat loss, and what actually moves the needle on your bill.
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Blackout curtains cut the most heat loss of any window furnishing, making the biggest dent in a winter heating bill.
- Roller blinds sit close to the glass and seal well at the edges, giving solid draught protection for less than full drapery.
- Plantation shutters form a rigid barrier that can outperform soft furnishings against larger or older single-glazed windows.
- Layering any of these with sheer curtains adds a second sealed air pocket, and that’s where the real energy savings show up.
How Sway Curtains help you stay warm
A well-fitted window furnishing can make all the difference. Thermal-lined curtains or blockout blinds can act like a cosy sweater for your windows. They help stop cold air from sneaking in and keep heat from escaping. It’s like adding an extra layer of insulation to your home—one that’s stylish and tailored just for you.
You can even layer sheer curtains with blockout ones for the ultimate combination: soft light during the day and snug, energy-efficient warmth at night. Here’s how the Sway Curtains range can transform your home.
Blackout curtains
Blackout curtains are the strongest energy performer of the group. Their thick weave and dedicated lining do more than block light: they trap a layer of still air between the fabric and the glass, which is where most of a room’s heat loss happens. Fitted close to the wall and sitting past the windowsill, they cut draughts noticeably compared with a standard curtain.
They are also excellent for privacy and total darkness, which is a bonus rather than the main reason to choose them here. For a room that loses heat fast, blackout is the highest-impact single change you can make.
Roller blinds
Roller blinds sit flush against the window frame, which matters more for draught control than people expect. A well-fitted blind with sealed edges stops cold air slipping around the sides of the window, something a loosely hung curtain cannot always do on its own. Thermal-backed fabrics push their performance further again.
They will not match blackout curtains for total heat retention, but for a smaller budget or a room where full drapery does not suit the space, they are a genuine energy upgrade on a bare window.
Plantation shutters
Shutters work differently to soft furnishings. Because they are a rigid, fixed structure, they form a solid barrier against the glass rather than a fabric one, and that can outperform curtains on larger or older single-glazed windows where draughts are the main problem.
The trade-off is upfront cost. Shutters are a bigger investment than curtains or blinds, but they are also a permanent fixture rather than something you will replace in a few years.
Sheer curtains
On their own, sheer curtains are the weakest option here. Their fine, lightweight weave lets light through, and that same quality means they let heat through too, so a sheer alone will not do much for a cold room.
Where sheers earn their place is in combination with something heavier. Paired behind a blackout curtain or blind, they add barely any bulk but contribute to the layered effect below.
Layered solutions
This is where the real gains show up. Layering a sheer or a blind behind a blackout curtain creates a second sealed air pocket against the glass, and two insulating layers consistently outperform any single product working alone. If your living room or bedroom has a large or old window, this is the option worth prioritising over upgrading just one furnishing.
It is a smaller change than most people expect—adding a blind behind curtains you already own rather than replacing everything—and it is often the difference between a room that stays cold no matter what and one that finally holds its heat.
Save energy, save money
With energy costs rising, keeping your home warm can feel like a constant balancing act. Upgrading the window furnishings in your coldest rooms gives your heater a break and can meaningfully reduce what you pay to run it over a Sydney winter. It is a straightforward trade: a one-off cost against a bill that keeps recurring every season.
Make your space winter-ready
Whether you are after full blackout curtains for your coldest room, blinds for a smaller budget or a layered combination that does both jobs at once, our team can help you find the right fit for your windows. If you are after the styling side, our guide to adding warmth and softness covers fabric and colour choices for a cosier room.
Ready to explore your options? Get in touch today, or learn more about Sway Curtains and how we help Sydney homes stay warm every winter.
Written by Diana Taylor, CEO and owner of Sway Curtains Sydney.
Common questions
FAQs
Do blackout curtains really cut heating bills?
Yes. Their thick weave and lining trap a layer of still air against the glass, which slows heat loss significantly compared with a standard curtain or bare window.
Are blinds or curtains more energy efficient?
Blackout curtains generally outperform blinds alone for heat retention, but a well-fitted blind with sealed edges still gives a real improvement over no window furnishing at all.
How much heat do single curtains stop compared with layered options?
Layering roughly doubles the effect, since you get two sealed air pockets instead of one. A single curtain helps, but a layered combination is where the biggest bill reduction shows up.
Do plantation shutters help with draughts?
Yes, particularly on larger or older single-glazed windows. Their rigid structure forms a solid barrier against the glass, which can outperform soft furnishings in the right window type.
Are sheer curtains worth it in winter if they do not block much heat?
On their own, not for warmth. Paired behind a blackout curtain or blind, though, they add to the layered effect without extra bulk or cost.
Ready when you are
See it, feel it and find the right finish for your home.
Visit Belrose or Moore Park, or invite our team to your home for a complimentary measure and consultation.
