Tag: Insulation

Categories
Heating & cooling

Why you should consider underfloor heating

In the colder months, keeping warm in a drafty house is often difficult to do. Although you may be tempted to purchase a space heater and make do that way, installing floor heating may be a better option for your home. Under-floor heating is becoming more and more popular and can be powered by several different energy sources. There are several different types available and plenty of benefits to this kind of heating system. Rather than endure the winter months huddled under a blanket, consider the benefits of floor heating.

Different underfloor heating options

This process allows for a heating system to be placed into the floor. This allows warm air to circulate in the home, creating a warm feeling on your feet. There are many methods to doing this, including the use of natural gas, geothermal heat, solar energy, and off-peak electricity. In general, there are three main options that fall under the category of either hydronic or electric. 

Electric floor heating systems

The electric floor heating system is actually the most popular system to date. The popularity comes from two things: easier installation and more places to purchase it from. This kind of floor heating uses electric cables to distribute heat from the underside of your choice of flooring. The heat rises through the flooring, keeping your feet nice and toasty. If you get an electric bill, this floor may work for you, but it may not be such a good choice if you are using a pre-paid meter.

The main forms of electric floor heating systems that are used are in-slab and in-screed. In-slab is exactly what the name suggests. The cables are stored in slabs, and the slabs are heated, driving the heat to the surface. In screed heating systems actually use slabs as well, but the cables are tied around them instead of being run within them like the in-slab systems.

Electric under-floor heating / Source: Shutterstock

Hydronic floor heating systems

The hydronic floor heating system uses hot water instead of electricity to warm the floor and the room. The water is heated in the boiler and then distributed through a slab system under the flooring. This is much more economical to run since the system uses gas instead of electricity. Just like the electric floor heating system, the hydronic floor heating system uses an in-slab or in-screed heating method.

The one thing you don’t have to worry about with either floor heating system is mould or allergen buildup. The cables, cords and tubes are fully closed in, so there’s no chance of condensation or steam escaping them and causing mould to form under the flooring. Both systems are relatively quiet, so you won’t even hear them running, but perhaps the best news of all is that they are both relatively economical to run during the winter as they heat up quite quickly (although the electric floor heating system is much faster).

Benefits

Comfort

One of the biggest advantages of floor heating is that it helps you more evenly distribute a comfortable level of heat throughout the rooms of your house. Instead of pushing heated air through your home, floor heating systems produce an even heat that naturally rises to the ceiling, thus ensuring that the whole room is at a perfect temperature. Using wall-mounted thermostats and special sensors, you can heat up any room in as little as 30 minutes.

A healthier home 

Those who suffer from allergies won’t need to worry about a heating system that kicks up dust mites or recycles stale air and redistributes it around the house. Underfloor-heating avoids all of this, meaning it will not contribute to any hay-fever or allergic reactions.

Contact local heating experts

Affordable 

Believe it or not, floor heating systems are actually much more affordable than they sound. They can run off of any type of energy, whether its electricity, gas or solar power. Additionally, floor heating systems run very efficiently, only needing a small amount of energy in order to maintain the proper temperature in a room. Find out how much underfloor heating costs in our guide here.

Aesthetics 

Another great benefit of floor heating is that it’s completely hidden from the casual eye. Rather than having unsightly pipes or vents popping up all over your home, floor heating is concealed within your floorboards or your home’s foundation. It makes your rooms look more appealing and also gives you the freedom to decorate easier without the need to worry about whether your furniture will block a vent or heating element.

Flooring options

The use of a heating system in your home is an excellent one, and it is not nearly as complex as many think. In fact, this type of flooring can be used under many types of flooring very safely. Once the floor covering is removed and the new system is put into place, you can use virtually any floor covering on top, including:

Bathrooms are a great room for underfloor heating / Source: JNL Designs

Easy installation and maintenance

Under-floor heating systems are usually easy to install and keep running. Under-floor heating can be installed as your home is being built or retrofit into older homes. This heating source does not interfere with floor plans, does not take up any of your precious square footage in your home, and is easy to maintain over a long period of time. 

Is it right for the whole home?

If it is being installed whilst building a new home and it will be used as your primary heating source, then it is absolutely right. Installing it throughout the entire home will help save you money, as an installation company can come out and install the whole lot at once. If you are renovating, there is nothing stopping from you putting floor heating into only certain rooms if you wish. When renovating your bathroom, it is ideal. However, in order to save money, it is best to leave it out of unnecessary rooms such as the laundry etc.

Insulation 

It’s a good idea to have insulation installed with your underfloor heating system, so you can increase its efficiency. It will also lower the operating costs of heating. During the heating installation process, you can also have insulation fitted. It’s beneficial to install it in your roof and walls, too. An insulation expert can assist you in determining the correct insulation for your needs. Your local council can also supply you with recommendations.

Categories
Walls & flooring

How to install underfloor insulation

What is underfloor insulation?

Underfloor insulation is an extra layer added underneath floorboards to prevent hot or cold air from escaping the home. Insulation can come in various different materials, such as polystyrene board, batt insulation and reflective foil.

Benefits of underfloor insulation

Floor insulation has many benefits. The main reasons why homeowners choose to install insulation in floors include:

Soundproofing

Your flooring can allow sounds and reverberations to filter through. With an insulating barrier between floorboards and the outside, the acoustics of vibration and sound waves is limited, resulting in a quieter environment.

Energy-efficient

By insulating your floors and ceilings, energy savings of up to 45% is possible. Whether you have hardwood floors with joists or a concrete slab, your floors are responsible for a considerable amount of heat loss. 

Saves you money in the long run

Underfloor insulation will keep your home warmer in the winter and cool in the summer. The need to use heating and air conditioning will be significantly reduced, which will save you money when it comes to your energy bills. Even though underfloor insulation costs money to install, it should pay off in the long run when you spend less on heating and cooling. 

Easy to install 

There is not a lot of complicated installation requirements that comes with under house insulation. Fitting insulation between floor joints can be a simple procedure. Different types of insulation include:

  • Fibreglass/wool batts
  • Rock wool batts
  • Polyurethane foam
  • Polystyrene panels
The insulation must be fit securely in-between the joists / Source: Shutterstock

When can a home’s floors be insulated?

A home’s floors can be insulated any time, provided there is enough crawl space to access under the home. However, it is much easier to have this work done during a home’s initial construction.

Retrofitting

Retrofitting is the process of installing insulation to an already existing home. If your home has joist and stump floors, insulation is made to fit within the wooden slats. However, if your home sits on a slab, an experienced contractor in insulation installation is recommended. An expert will be required to assess whether there is enough space to go in and install the insulation. 

During initial construction

Fitting underfloor insulation is easiest when the home is being constructed. Rigid foam insulation can be glued or fitted between wood sleepers and can also be done on top of finished concrete. Some homeowners incorporate radiant heating coils. A general contractor often has the means to place the installation while installing the floors.

Contact local insulation experts

How to install underfloor insulation

Install the strapping

Strapping consists of wire fasteners that are secured on floor joists. If using on concrete, plastic strapping is recommended. Wiring wrapped around a nail on both rafters is often used in securing. 

Open insulation packets and let it expand

Before fitting insulation pieces between joists, allow them to air out and expand. This will prevent your strapping from being too snug.

Put the insulation in place

Insulation is designed to fit securely between joists to cover any holes or cracks on the surface. Make sure the entire length of the insulation is firmly in place.

What homes would benefit from underfloor insulation?

Homes in colder climates that are prone to heat loss will dramatically benefit from underfloor insulation. Additionally, homes that have a large number of tiled areas will also benefit. Placing insulation under bathroom floor areas can cut your heat loss by up to 40%. Homeowners often take steps to add insulation to ceilings, walls and roof joists, but neglect to realize the heat loss from a floor. 

If you are in the process of building your own home in Canberra or elsewhere, underfloor insulation is an important thing to consider. It will be much easier to install before your home is completed. If you are looking to buy a brand new home, make sure this detail has been addressed. You can also use this feature as a bargaining tool in your offer to buy a house. 

Protective equipment must be worn when handling insulation / Source: Shutterstock

How to hire an insulation expert

Regardless of an existing house or one that is under construction, hiring an insulation expert is always a good idea. You want your home to be as comfortable as possible. Insulation experts have the education and experience to complete the job correctly. While it is not always required to use an insulation expert, knowing that the work has been done accurately and is guaranteed will give you peace of mind.

Licensing per location

Each state has a required license for building classification. Ensure the professional you hire has the correct licensing to complete the job before you agree to work with them. Other factors to check are:

  • Number of years of experience
  • References and reviews
  • Break down of costs

Not every contractor will have experience in insulation installation. Make sure that your candidate has the background knowledge to do a proper job. An energy assessment can also explain how and why installing insulation under your floor can save money and make you more comfortable. A qualified insulation expert will also be familiar with the building codes in your area and can help to keep you up to code.

Categories
Doors & windows

The benefits of double glazed windows

Windows are definitely an item to take care of on your home construction or renovation list, and sooner or later, you will need to choose between single and double glazed windows. It is common knowledge that the latter insulates the home better, although it comes at a higher price. If you are wondering whether it is really worth investing in double glazed windows, the points listed below will help you make the right choice.

How do they work?

The reason that double glazed windows provide good insulation is the trapped air in the space maintained between the two glass panes. This air works in three ways, with the first being to reduce the transfer of hot or cold air between the outdoors and indoors of the home. It also prevents condensation within the home when the outdoor temperature is much colder than that inside. Further, double glazed windows keep all external noise out, thereby making your home more peaceful to live in.

It’s important to note that double glazed windows only provide insulation from hot air temperatures and not from radiant heat. This means that they are not capable of preventing the heat of the sun’s rays from entering your home. If you want to achieve this, you need to get your single or double glazed windows tinted with special UV light-blocking film.

Double glazed windows provide great insulation for bedrooms / Source: MacKenzie Lane Real Estate

The benefits of using double glazed windows

Some main benefits of double glazed windows are:

  • Energy efficiency: Double glazing adds to your home’s insulation, which in turn reduces your electricity accounts.
  • They reduce noise: This is done by reducing sound transmission via your windows by up to 70 per cent.
  • Ability to use a wider variety of window coverings: Glazed windows make it possible for you to use any type of window covering, as there is no need to prevent heat and cold from entering the home. You can opt for any covering, ranging from blinds and lightweight curtains to no blinds at all for those who want to keep their views unblocked.
  • Condensation reduction: double glazing lowers the condensation that usually forms on the interior of your window.
  • Improved security: Security is enhanced as denser glass is used with the conversion to double glazing. There is also an additional pane, which in turn, boosts safety. You can opt to improve security even further with a special glass that has been laminated.

Style and colour choices

Another great benefit is the fact that with these windows you have a variety of options that you can choose from. They are available in many styles including awning, casement, tilt and slide, and fixed.

Double glazed options for your doors

Double glazing is also a great option for glass doors. Double glazed front doors come with a range of options. From single doors and double doors to French doors, there are a variety of stylized doors for you to choose from. Another benefit of opting for a double glazed door is that they are available in traditional as well as modern styles enabling you to select a front door that fits in with the general theme of the rest of your home. 

Contact local window experts

Protective-coated windows

An alternative to double glazed windows is having protective-coated windows. Additionally, you can have a protective coating applied to you double glazed windows for extra insulation. This special coating blocks UV rays and heat to help keep your home cool in the summer, without having to kick on the air conditioner. The protective coating also keeps the heat from escaping your home during the winter so that you can keep your home warm without having to blast the heater 24/7.

There are two main types of special coatings that are applied to protective-coated windows, which are liquid coatings and e-glass coatings. Liquid coatings utilise nano-technology to make a virtually invisible but extremely durable coating that can be applied to any window.

The big advantage of protective coatings is that they can be applied to your existing windows, so you won’t have to spend money buying new glass.

E-glass protective coatings are special coatings that reflect UV rays and heat. Soft coat and hard coat e-glass protective coatings are available. Soft coats can only be used on double-glazed windows. Hard coats can be used on single or double-glazed windows.

The disadvantage to e-glass protective coated windows is that the coating has to be applied at the factory, so you will either have to purchase new window glass or remove your existing windows and send them to the factory to be coated.

Double glazing is a great option for glass doors / Source: S.F.D Caringbah

The price of double glazed windows 

With these benefits, though, comes the cost. Most people compare the price of double glazed windows to regular windows and think that the overall cost is too high. Although the initial installation is pricey, double glazed windows save you money over time because of their energy efficiency. The insulation keeps the warm/cool air inside during the colder/warmer months, which in turn allows you to use your heater and air conditioner less. With electricity bills only growing larger and larger, anything that you can do to stem the tide is worth it in the grand scheme of things. It’s much better to pay a little more now for double glazed windows than pay for your choice in the years to come if you decide not to install them.

Believe it or not, double glazed windows actually cover their own cost pretty quickly and not just where your energy bill is concerned. With double glazed windows, you won’t need heavy curtains (which are definitely expensive). You can opt for a lighter window treatment instead. Whatever your window needs are, double glazed windows are a sensible option for the overall cost and energy efficiency of your home.

Categories
Building & renovations

How to soundproof a room

As the world seems to be getting noisier and noisier, most of us are becoming even more determined to keep as much noise as possible out of our living spaces. With increased traffic outside, as well as high-tech stereos and entertainment centres in our homes – not to mention the smaller yards separating houses, it seems as if were more vulnerable than ever to the noises of our neighbours as well as the sounds produced by the rest of the outside world.

Soundproofing with plasterboard

There are three types of plasterboard that are commonly used for soundproofing:

  • Barrierboard: This Australian-made plasterboard comes from a composite material that reduces outside noise levels by as much as 75 percent. Barrierboard is comprised of two sheets, with a layer of insulation in between. This rigid, 32mm board wont sag or bend, and can be applied directly onto standard walls without having to make construction changes to areas such as doorways.
  • Boral SoundSTOP: Especially engineered for areas with acoustic walls and ceilings installations. Its used in conjunction with the Quiet Living, CinemaZone and PartiWALL systems produced by Boral. One advantage of the Quiet Living system is that is uses the same width as a standard interior wall, so its compatible with standard window frames, door jambs and other features. Likewise, Borals CinemaZone system is specially designed to protect your home theatre room from outside noises while enhancing and controlling the noise levels from the theatre speakers. Note: Boral SoundSTOP is so effective that loud outside voices can only be heard as a quiet murmur indoors. If more sound blocking is needed, you can add another layer to the wall.
  • Gyprock Soundchek: This 10mm plasterboard is made with a thick, sound-reflective gypsum core thats layered with heavy-strength liner boards. It comes in two levels: STC 45, which can make conversations inaudible, and STC 50, which reduces sounds produced by music.

Enhancing your soundproofing

To enhance your plasterboard soundproofing, you can combine it with either wall or roof insulation to add another layer of protection. You can also apply it to solid doors that have been surrounded with protective door seals. If you have an entertainment centre or home theatre, you’ll want to also install soft carpeting and furnishings that are quiet and don’t creak. Additionally, take steps to ensure that light switches and power points aren’t placed back to back, as sound can leak through the gaps that were created for these installations.

Along with plasterboard, ensuring your home is properly insulated will help reduce noise / Source: Active Vac and Insulation

Soundproof doors

A soundproof door is heavily insulated to block out noise and vibrations from the outside. This reduction in noise is achieved with strong acoustic seals and quality insulation. Acoustic doors are made in accordance with standards of sound resistance and should be certified after testing. They are available in a wide range of materials like laminated steel, galvanised steel and also sheet metals.

Different types

Once you have considered your soundproof requirements, you can choose doors in different sizes and types.

The main doors available include the following:

  • Double or single sliding doors
  • Swinging doors, single or double.
  • Smoke or fire doors.
  • Magnamatic or electronic automatic doors.
  • Lightweight or heavy doors.

Soundproof windows

Noise from the street can get in easily through single glazed windows. The glass is thin, but there are also small holes and gaps around the window frame and joints that allow sound to transmit into your home. The sound can also travel through vibration as the noise hits the glass and vibrates through your house. Ensuring that your windows are well-sealed is one step to take, but getting them double glazed provides extra soundproofing.

Double glazed windows

Double glazed windows are completely sealed and do not allow the air to vibrate sound into your home. There are two layers of glass with a small gap between them, which helps to kill the vibration. Additionally, the extra pane of glass means that any outside noise has two panes to travel through before it can break into the peacefulness of your home. Double glazed windows can prevent the transmission of noise by up to 70 percent. New home builds will likely have double glazed windows, however older homes will need to retrofit these.

Contact local glaziers

Other soundproofing tips

In addition to plasterboard, soundproof doors and windows, here’s some other tips to minimise noise where it’s needed; for example a home theatre.

  • Ensuring adequate insulation throughout the ceiling and walls
  • Plush furnishing and carpet, as well as heavy window coverings that can absorb sound
Categories
Heating & cooling

Attic insulation removal and cleaning DIY

This article is going to cover the three steps needed to make sure you remove insulation from your home in a safe and effective manner;

  1. How to prep this attic cleanup
  2. How to safely vacuum the area you are working in.
  3. How to properly dispose of this product.

Attic insulation needs to be replaced immediately if there are signs of rodent infestations. They can spread disease and cause structural problems to your property. Removing the old insulation can be quite a pain to do alone, but if you follow these guidelines, the process will be a lot easier.

If you are doing it by yourself, you need to make sure you focus mainly on your own safety before anything else, whether you are removing loose attic insulation for replacement with new, removing due to water damage, or just changing insulation types! Everyone should know how to remove their own home’s insulation if need be, because if you don’t know how you might end up spending too much money for something that can be done for free by yourself.

If you plan on DIYing your insulation removal, ensure you have the correct protective gear / Source: Enviroflex Insulation

Insulation removal equipment

  • Fully covered clothing
  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  • Large garbage bags/trash bags
  • Tarp or blanket
  • Vacuum
  • Ladder
  • Respirator/dust masks

Proper safety attire for your attic cleaning

Before we begin, let’s go over the proper safety attire. When it comes to insulation, it is important to keep your body protected and keep insulation inhalation to an absolute minimum. You need to protect yourself by wearing the right equipment, dressed in a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and both your safety goggles and respirator. Attic insulation can be dangerous if you aren’t wearing the clothing for the job.

Step one: Know the type of insulation you have 

The very first step in removing loose attic insulation is to determine what kind of insulation you are dealing with. It is important to figure this out because many older homes contain an insulation that has a grey, almost paper-like appearance and is very harmful to your health. If you cannot identify the insulation you are working with you need to find out if the insulation is comprised with asbestos by using a testing kit. If so, the best option for you to remove the insulation is to call for a local insulation expert to remove the insulation. View our Asbestos removal cost guide if you think you might have asbestos in your home.

It’s important to know the type of insulation you are removing / Source: Active Vac and Insulation

When getting ready for insulation removal it is important that you don’t allow any damaged, mildewed, or mouldy insulation to fall and settle throughout your home. To prevent anything from going wrong, make sure that all the doors/attic opening are closed and place down your tarp in the area you are working in and tape it down to secure it.

To work in the attic safely, you should lay down some large wooden boards across the joist so that you are able to walk throughout the attic while removing the insulation. You will want the tarp to be placed in the area you will be unloading the insulation into the garbage bags. You need to have a clear path from where you are unloading the garbage bags full of insulation to the exit so that you aren’t spending too much time handling the bags, keeping minimum interaction.

Step two: Cleaning, vacuuming and disinfection

Before you start this next step, make sure that your clothing thoroughly covers all of your skin and you are wearing gloves and a respirator/mask. You will start by vacuuming all of the loose insulation throughout a small area and empty the canister into the garbage bags until the area is clear of loose insulation, then move on to the next area of the wall. With a wet-dry vacuum you are going to need to dump the insulation remnants from the vacuum canister into the trash bags every five minutes or so while vacuuming. After all of the attic walls are cleared, you then need to vacuum all of the attic joists thoroughly.

Contact local insulation experts

To start this, you’ll want to begin the process at the farthest end of the attic and make your way to the exit going backward. Getting stuck in a corner while you are stirring up insulation into the air is the last thing you want to do. Make sure you also check it twice along the floor joists to guarantee that all of the tiny insulation pieces aren’t infiltrating the air.

If you don’t own or have access to a shop-vac, then another option for you is to rent a HEPA filtered industrial vacuum. They are much higher powered than a standard shop-vac and will get the job done in much less time. It does this because it does two jobs at once; it sucks up the loose insulation and has attached a hose that routes the insulation from the vacuum straight to the trash container or garbage bags outside. This will keep the area you are working in a little bit neater and keep air infiltration to a minimum.

Step three: Insulation disposal

The third and final step in removing your attic insulation is the disposal of it. Disposing of the loose insulation you’ve collected in the garbage bags is important because of the damage that insulation can do to the environment if released. This is why you should contact your city’s waste management center to determine what the best option for dumping your insulation. It might even be as simple as leaving it out to the road with the other household trash bags, but there might be a specific dumb site that they refer you to go to for disposal.

Blown in insulation

Once you finish cleaning up the attic and remove the old insulation, it’s not a bad idea to add in more insulation if you don’t mind working up a sweat. To make sure you use enough insulation and seal up the attic bypasses, it’s still recommended to hire a local insulation professional for a long-term payoff. A proper insulation helps to save energy bills.

Categories
Heating & cooling

Foam insulation: Advantages & disadvantages

Insulation is becoming a standard installation in many homes. Since insulation comes in a variety of types, the choice can be difficult. If you’re considering foam insulation in your house, read on for the advantages and disadvantages to help you make the choice.

What is foam insulation?

Most commonly available in spray form, foam insulation is constructed from polyurethane or soy for environmentally-friendly variants. The substrate can be sprayed onto any surface that needs insulating. After dispensing of the product, it fills gaps and creates an airtight seal that is resistant to water.

Similar to other kinds of insulation, this is designed to block heat in the summer and trap heat in the winter which reduces HVAC usage and therefore, electricity bills and your environmental impact.

Source: Shutterstock

Foam insulation benefits

The greatest benefit of using foam insulation is the effectiveness of the product as it can seep into all the holes and small spaces that standard insulation is unable to do. This significantly improves home sealing. Given its superior filling ability, the insulation prevents insects, rodents, and other vermin from entering. Additionally, it has a higher R-value than the alternative. Furthermore, many types of foam are also fireproof.

The environmental benefit is there are no small particulates that can get into the air like with fibreglass. Also, there is no itchiness with foam insulation. Additionally, it does not absorb water so mould growth is unlikely. Finally, this insulation can improve the structural integrity of your home because it contains similar properties as glue.

Contact local insulation experts

Foam insulation disadvantages

Despite many benefits, there are a few drawbacks which much be considered:

  • Spray foam costs significantly more than the standard insulatio
  • It is a much messier process for installing around the house
  • If too much is sprayed, the walls or ceilings can buckle. Therefore, it is always recommended that foam insulation must have professional installation
Categories
Doors & windows

Your guide to the different types of curtains

With the wide variety of colours, patterns, textures and materials out there, it can be overwhelming to shop for curtains for your home. Before you start shopping, it helps to do a bit of planning first to help you determine exactly what to look for. Here’s a round up of the different types of curtains available.

Lace curtains

These classic curtains are extremely lightweight, so they won’t filter out glare entirely. They can soften light and add privacy though. They’ll also add an air of elegance to even the plainest room. Because of their lightweight design, lace curtains are usually paired with an under curtain, which can aid in blocking glare.

Sheer curtains and voiles

Sheers are made of transparent, lightweight fabrics and can be used alone or with an under- or over-curtain. They’re thin enough to bring in plenty of light and give an airy, breezy appearance. Voile curtains are made from slightly heavier cottons, but are still lightweight enough to keep a room looking cool and airy.

Curtains can make an elegant addition to the decor of your space / Source: Ryan Linnegar Photography

Block outs

As the name implies, block out curtains are window treatments that are designed to stop the stream of sunlight and heat from entering a room. Made from very heavy, tightly woven and opaque fabric they come in a variety of colours and textures – and can be as elegant as they are utilitarian.

Block outs also offer insulation – preventing the heat and chill from entering a room – and noise reduction.

French pleats

These curtains are triple-pleated and pinched in, so that they fan out in lovely, voluminous folds. They’re often used in more formal rooms but, depending on the fabric, can also be used in decorative casual areas, such as the kitchen. They require a specific type of curtain rod to keep their pleats looking crisp.

Source: Ama Studio Interiors

Tab tops

One of the most common curtains, tab tops are versatile and economical. These curtains have large, matching fabric tabs at the top to help hold the curtain rod in place. They come in every colour and fabric and can add a real designer look to a room – easily blending in with many home styles.

Tab top curtains are one of the most economical options you can choose as they require less fabric than pleated or gathered styles. Because the rod is left exposed, remember to factor this into your styling choices – perhaps making a statement with a brass, copper or timber rod, paint the rod the same colour as your walls to make your curtains the focal point.

Café curtains

These curtains are perfect for the kitchen or a breakfast room and can soften light and provide privacy, while adding a decorative touch. Café curtains are positioned inside the window frame and usually hang from the window’s mid-section, although you can add a valance on the top for additional coverage.

Panel curtains

These straight-hanging curtains, which are also known as pole top, casement or rod pocket curtains, have at least one pocket at the top through which the curtain rod is threaded. Because of the complexity of their design, they work better when placed where you don’t have to draw them very often.

Panel curtains are available in a variety of colours, and the style easily blends into many decors, such as modern, country, casual or beach. They can be easily adapted to many different sizes of windows, as well as a device for hiding shelves or dividing a room.

Source: MLD Studio

Beaded

For a funky retro look to your home, beaded curtains may be just the thing. Today’s beaded curtains aren’t just made from acrylic or glass beads; they’re also made from bamboo, mirror pieces, seashells and faux gemstones.

Wrap up

Look at the style of your room — is it contemporary or period? Is it formal or casual and airy? By determining the style of your room and its primary colours, you’ll be able to choose curtains that will provide privacy and insulation and also enhance your overall décor.