Thermal curtains in Singapore

What a thermal curtain does

When sun comes through the glass, the floor, walls and furniture absorb it and warm the room. A closed thermal curtain stops much of that light at the window, and a white or pale backing reflects some of it back through the glass. Less sunlight reaches the room, so less heat builds up inside.

What it cannot do is cool the room. Glass that has been baking in the sun stays warm and keeps giving off heat into the gap behind the curtain. A thermal curtain slows heat gain and makes the space near the window more comfortable. We do not quote temperature drops or aircon savings, because they depend on your glass, exposure and habits.

Fit matters as much as fabric

Warm air between the glass and the curtain escapes into the room through any gap. Mount the track on the ceiling or inside a curtain box so air cannot spill over the top, extend the curtain well past the window on both sides, overlap the panels at the centre and take the hem close to the floor.

Close the curtain before the sun reaches the window, not after the room is already warm. On a west-facing unit, that usually means early afternoon.

Weight and care

Thermal linings add weight, so the track and brackets need to suit a heavier curtain, and the stack will be fuller when open. Coated thermal backings can crack if machine washed or tumble dried, so spot clean them or use a professional service. A detachable lining is easier to look after in rooms that get condensation from the aircon.