Winter window tips: how to layer sheer curtains for the best of warmth and light
- Kerrin Auld
- Consultant
In short
Sheer curtains let you make the most of the light on short winter days, but on their own they don't insulate. The trick is to layer them with something thermal — thermal curtains on a double track, blockout honeycomb blinds, or a thermal roman blind — so the sheers diffuse daylight while the second layer holds the warmth in at night. Adding a pelmet and closing your thermal layer as the light fades makes a real difference to heat loss.
Sheer curtains are best for filtering light and maintaining privacy, so they're obviously a great spring and summer window treatment solution. But winter isn't all dark and it's worth making the most of the light on shorter days. In fact, letting sunlight shine in through the windows is a key source of natural warmth in winter. So here's how you can use sheer curtains AND insulate your windows.
Table of contents
How do I layer sheers with thermal curtains on a double track?
The thermal curtains that sit behind the sheers would be closed at night for insulation and opened during the day with the sheer at the front filtering the light. We fitted an example just like this which you can see in Shayden's episode of our People & Homes series. On the back track is a James Dunlop fabric that can be used as a curtain or lining; over the top of that, on the front track, is a blended sheer fabric. Alternatively, you could have them the other way around - a thermal in front and sheer curtain behind.
Can I layer sheers over blockout honeycomb blinds?
Honeycomb blinds are also known as 'cellular shades' or 'designers' double glazing'. Consumer NZ found that of all window coverings, thermal lined honeycomb blinds retain the most heat (at around 60%). This is because their cells trap a pocket of air that acts as a barrier, allowing them to regulate the temperature of any space and help keep your home warm. The idea here would be to fit the honeycomb blind inside the window frame (so the sheer can go in front), draw it down at night for insulation, then when it's up, the sheer curtain remains in place to diffuse the light and create a cosy daytime atmosphere.
What about a sheer curtain over a thermal roman blind?
Yes, this would work similarly to the honeycomb blind. But the thing to consider is that a roman blind stacks at the top when drawn open/up and that takes up some of the window and therefore blocks the light. It would be better on a very large window. By comparison, a honeycomb is slimline and when up takes up very little space at all.
A few more tips and tricks
The trick to retaining all that good warmth the sun has brought in during the day is to close the thermal curtains or blinds as the light begins to fade so the heat doesn't escape through the window glass.
What's essential for good insulation at the windows is a pelmet above the curtain rail. This helps create a pocket of air (similar to how double-glazing works), which helps to reduce heat loss.
Read our blog for more ways to reduce heat loss through windows
Styling your sheer curtains
Sheer curtains are a versatile style option. Check out our recommendations on which rooms to try sheers in and various ways to hang them for different effects.
Whatever the look you like, sheer curtains can be made from several different kinds of curtain fabric, available in a variety of colours and pattern options to help you achieve very different looks. Explore our range of sheer curtain fabrics by selecting 'Curtains' and 'Sheers' in the filters.
To get it right, we can bring fabric samples to try in your home - the best place to get the right advice if you ask us. It's free and we come to you no matter where you are in New Zealand. Book your free in-home consultation now.
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Frequently asked questions
Do sheer curtains keep heat in during winter?
Not on their own — sheers are designed to filter light and add privacy, not to insulate. To keep heat in, layer them with a thermal curtain, a blockout honeycomb blind or a thermal roman blind that you close at night.
What is the warmest window covering for winter?
Consumer NZ found that thermal-lined honeycomb blinds retain the most heat of all window coverings, at around 60%. Their cells trap a pocket of air that acts as a barrier, helping to keep the room warm.
Should I use a honeycomb blind or a roman blind behind sheers?
Both work, but a honeycomb blind is slimline and takes up very little space when raised, so it blocks less light. A roman blind stacks at the top when drawn up, which covers part of the window, so it suits very large windows better.
Should I add a pelmet above layered sheer and thermal curtains?
A pelmet is a great finishing touch on a layered setup. By closing off the gap at the top of your sheers and thermal curtains, it stops warm air escaping over the rod, so the layers you have added for warmth work even harder through winter.
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