Reducing heat loss- shutters/curtains

[jeffrey]

A novelty: it's unusual for me to start a thread on this Forum.

The BBC website today reports (from researchers at Edinburgh World Heritage Trust) that use of external shutters on windows reduces fuel bills and heat loss. It's slightly unexpected- yes, internal curtains obviously assist, but apparently even an outside fitment does too.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11759023

[mind the gap]

A novelty: it's unusual for me to start a thread on this Forum.

The BBC website today reports (from researchers at Edinburgh World Heritage Trust) that use of external shutters on windows reduces fuel bills and heat loss. It's slightly unexpected- yes, internal curtains obviously assist, but apparently even an outside fitment does too.

See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-11759023

Doesn't everyone close their curtains when it's dark outside anyway?

And very few properties in the UK are fitted with external shutters - it tends to be places further south (e.g France/Italy/Spain/Greece) where it is bearable to open windows/go outside in winter and close them...if you had to open the windows to close the shutters in the UK, you'd be letting the heat out for a period at least...

Thermal curtain linings (or thermal people covers) are the answer!

[jeffrey]

Doesn't everyone close their curtains when it's dark outside anyway?
No- esp. not occupants of flats in tower blocks where no-one can look in (which latter is the only reason that many people close curtains).

[mind the gap]

No- esp. not occupants of flats in tower blocks where no-one can look in (which latter is the only reason that many people close curtains).
Hmmm. I am unconvinced. I shall check the next time I go past a tower block at night.

[quarterday]

I came across a new design of internal window blind in which hexagonal pockets of air are created in a thin fabric horizontal blind, this design drastically reduces air flow and thus heat losses without the need for heavy curtaining. Removing redundant chimney flues seems to help dramatically in rental houses, but not necessarily an alteration one would want to make in one's own home

[mind the gap]

I came across a new design of internal window blind in which hexagonal pockets of air are created in a thin fabric horizontal blind, this design drastically reduces air flow and thus heat losses without the need for heavy curtaining. Removing redundant chimney flues seems to help dramatically in rental houses, but not necessarily an alteration one would want to make in one's own home
Have you ever removed a chimney flue?! It's grim. You have black snot for weeks. I think you mean block, rather than remove and if you do, you need to remember to put air bricks in, or you can create a problem with damp.

What's the new blind material called, please?

[Bel]

What's the new blind material called, please?

Bubblewrap?

[Always Problems]

In one of the properties which I rent out in France all the windows (12)have metal shutters which have tiny holes in them and are operated by turning a rod from the inside. Only the bedrooms have curtains. One advantage is that in the summer, when its really hot you can open the windows, lower the shutters and the tiny holes give ventilation and keep the sun out, and in the winter when the shutters are sent down further the holes close up and this stops heat loss.
Unfortunately none of the windows are Double Glazed and the house is freezing as the shutters just dont stop the cold getting to the single glazing. OK the survey mentioned above saying that the use of shutters reduces heat bills is correct insomuch that some shutters are better than no shutters.But give me Double Glazing every time and coupled with the shutters you would have the best of both worlds. The other reason for shutters (operated from the inside) is that it stops burglars (or at least slows them down).