DIY A Heat Blocking Curtain For Lower Bills This Summer

Summer's here, and if your electricity bill has been creeping up, your windows might be to blame. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 76% of sunlight that hits your windows turns into heat inside your home, forcing your air conditioner to work harder and sending your cooling costs through the roof. In fact, air conditioning alone accounts for nearly 12% of total home energy costs, and in the hottest months, that percentage can soar even higher, per the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But before you resign yourself to sky-high bills, there's some good news. Blackout curtains can actually help keep your home cool in summer, as can their thermal and reflective counterparts.  

While some homeowners turn to expensive, energy-efficient window installations, a well-made heat-blocking curtain can deliver similar benefits for a fraction of the price. The concept is simple: Instead of letting the sun's rays penetrate through glass and heat your space, these curtains absorb, reflect, or insulate against incoming warmth so that you enjoy a naturally cooler home without cranking up the AC. At the end of the month, this means more money in your pocket. The best part? With a little DIY magic, you can make your own heat-blocking curtain using budget-friendly materials that work just as well as store-bought options.

If you've ever used a car windshield sunshade, you already know how effective reflective materials are at bouncing solar heat away. The same principle works for your windows, and making your own heat-blocking curtains using reflective fabric is easier than you might think. All you need is an emergency blanket, a foam reflective pad (or even a couple of windshield blockers), some fabric, a pair of scissors, and fabric glue or some sewing skills, and you'll be set for a cool summer.

Start by measuring your windows so you know exactly how much material you'll need. Once you have the right dimensions, cut your chosen reflective material to fit. Now, lay your chosen curtain fabric down with the reflective layer on top. Make sure the reflective surface is facing outward before securing the edges with fabric glue or a simple sewing stitch. Use hook-and-loop strips, curtain rings, or even a tension rod to hang your DIY curtain. There are certain mistakes you need to avoid when hanging your curtains, and when it comes to temperature control, it is especially important to make sure your curtains cover the entire window and fit tightly. Heat can slip in through the smallest gaps, so a little extra attention to coverage can go a long way in keeping your home cool.

You've been eyeing some blackout curtain alternatives because no light means no heat, right? If you're unsure if a DIY blackout curtain can do the same job as a reflective one, then the short answer is yes. However, they don't work quite as well as reflective curtains. Blackout curtains are made with thick, tightly woven fabric that helps insulate your home, trapping cool air inside and keeping warm air out. They're great for reducing heat gain, but unlike thermal curtains, they don't actively bounce heat away before it enters your space. This means that while they help, they won't be quite as effective at keeping your home cool on the hottest days. On the other hand, thermal curtains are better designed to help your space stay cool in summer because they direct the solar heat away from the window.

So, which one should you go for? If lowering the cooling bill is your top priority, a thermal curtain that reflects solar heat will give you the most bang for your buck. But if you want better light control, a blackout curtain might be the better pick. And, if you really want to maximize energy savings, there's no rule saying you can't combine the two — a reflective heat-blocking layer in front of a blackout curtain will give you the best of both worlds. Either way, your windows don't have to be the reason your electricity bill spikes this summer.