If you’ve ever stood near a window in July and felt a cold wall of air roll off the glass, you’ve felt it firsthand: windows are the single biggest energy leak in most Canberra homes. It works both ways too – the same glass that lets heat escape in winter lets it flood straight in come summer.
The fix isn’t a full reno. It’s picking the right internal furnishing for the way you actually use each room. Here’s a fast rundown of three of our most popular energy-saving options, and where each one earns its keep.
Honeycomb blinds - for rooms where temperature swings matter most
Honeycomb (or cellular) blinds work differently to a standard blind. Their pleated, hexagonal structure traps air in individual pockets rather than letting it move freely against the glass – effectively giving your window an extra layer of insulation, in both directions.
They’re worth prioritising in rooms where a few degrees make a real difference to comfort – a nursery, a home gym, a reading nook that’s either an icebox or a sauna depending on the month. Because they come in a range of openness levels, you can also dial in exactly how much daylight gets through without giving up the thermal benefit.
Blockout curtains - for the biggest, hardest-working windows in the house
Bigger glass means bigger losses, which is why blockout curtains tend to deliver the most noticeable difference on large sliding doors, oversized living room windows, or anything facing the western sun. A quality blockout fabric with a proper lining doesn’t just cut light – it adds real thermal mass between the room and the glass, which matters just as much on a sub-zero July morning as it does on a 35-degree evening.
They’re also the fastest upgrade on this list to actually feel the benefit of: draw them at dusk in winter and the room noticeably holds its warmth longer.
Plantation shutters - for a fixed, no-maintenance solution
If you’d rather set it once and stop thinking about it, plantation shutters are the most durable option here. As a solid structure rather than a soft furnishing, they don’t sag, fade, or need replacing as often as fabric treatments – and their adjustable louvres mean you can fine-tune light and airflow through the day rather than choosing between fully open or fully closed.
They tend to suit households after longevity and low upkeep over frequent adjusting, and they hold their insulating performance well across Canberra’s full swing of seasons.
Not sure which combination suits your home?
Every Canberra home catches the sun a little differently, so the right mix comes down to your rooms’ size, orientation and how you actually live in them. Our local consultants can walk through your home, measure up, and recommend the right combination – either in our Fyshwick showroom or on-site at your place.
Visit us at 1/60–62 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick, or call 02 6221 9350 to arrange a free measure and quote.
