Posted 14th May 2011
B L O G:
C U R T A I N I N S U L A T I O N If you are one of the many in New Zealand who do not have double glazed windows in your home, like myself. A decent curtain lining is the best and cheaper alternative to replacing your windows. 12% of heat is lost through single glazed windows, while 24% is lost through walls and 42% through the roof. (Home NZ, apr/may 2011) In practical terms after insulating a roof, nice thick curtains are the next best thing to insulate. I am sure most of you would agree that pulling off your plaster board or even sarking in an old villa like my own is quite disruptive and not to mention expensive, if you aren't planning on doing any major renovations anytime soon.
However, the main curtain lining that is normally offered is a 'thermal' lining. These conventional linings and the coatings on your typical ready-mades are unhealthy for you and your home. They are made by coating fabric with a paint-like acrylic, which omits harmful VOCs especially when the sun hits it. Just smell the chemicals coming off a new roll of the stuff or even when you open a pack of ready-mades and you will see what I mean. Thermals, also do not 'breath' and you get that typical growth of mould and mildew on the back of your curtains, creating another health hazard in your home. A much healthier alternative to 'Thermal or Blackout lining' is a woven blackout lining and/or the use of bumf. Currently there are a few woven blackouts on the NZ market, but only one is Oeko-Tex certified meaning the manufacturer has an environmental management programme. Another bonus with this is you can wash it in water, so no dry-cleaning bill and no chemicals. (Although please take into account the wash-a-bility of your main curtain, which if a natural fibre will most likely shrink in the length)
Yes woven blackout lining costs more than 'thermal', but is thicker and in my personal experience warmer and therefore better for your family's health in the long term.
