With temperatures set to rise, it can be all too instinctive to assume less is more when it comes to keeping cool. But while that may work with clothing, dressing your windows requires an entirely different approach.
While it's fairly common knowledge that closing your curtains can prevent overheating in your home, it seems creating a 'window stack' could be even more successful during the warmer months.
It is in fact very much a case of more is less, reveals our window expert.
What is window stacking?
Although the type of windows you have in your home will go some way to defining your choice of window covering, a window stack isn't limited to just one type of material or fabric.
Instead, it's about layering products in the right way so that they help to keep your home cooler.
Helen O’Connor, product and trends manager at 247 Blinds explains. "A window stack is essentially a strategic combination of window dressings, curated in a ‘stack’ to give homeowners additional control over elements like light, temperatures, privacy and overall feel of their home.”
It's about picking around three different layers of coverings, each with their own set of attributes, which when combined in the right order, give you maximum control over heat coming in, and equally heat going out in the winter.
“Implementing different layers to your windows makes your space so much more dynamic," adds Helen, "playing a specific role in your home’s ‘ecosystem’, and making your home ready for the moments where you want to embrace the sunshine, or keep cool.”
How to create a window stack
There are three main steps to creating a window stack says Helen O'Connor.
1. Start with a controllable base layer
Think of the first layer of your window stack as the, "first line of defence when it comes to managing sunlight," says Helen, recommending a Venetian or slatted blind as the best starting point.
The adjustable slats mean you can tilt and redirect sunlight away from the room, in much the same was adjusting your shutter slats will help to prevent heat from escaping in winter. While homeowners often ask do blinds keep heat in, given they prevent it escaping in winter, it's how you tilt them that makes a window stack work.
"Tilting your blinds slats helps reduce glare and prevents rooms from overheating, especially in south-facing rooms where sunlight is more intense throughout the day,” explains Helen.
2. Add a middle layer that filters light
“Your second layer should soften the light and help regulate temperature without making the room feel dark and heavy," says Helen. The aim is to keep your home feeling light and airy rather than dark and dense.
"For this, a sheer or lightweight curtain or drape works perfectly, without compromising on the overall styling of the room," she recommends.
"A light fabric will help to diffuse harsh sunlight and minimise the circulation of hot air, while still allowing daylight to flow through the space, ideal for keeping rooms bright but comfortable during peak daylight hours.”
Try this technique in south-facing living rooms or bedrooms where the heat can build up during the day, making them uncomfortable to spend time in once you step inside in the evening.
3. Finish with your 'heaviest' layer
“For your final layer, it’s all about insulation," says Helen. And while it's easy to associate the word insulation with warmth, it's a common mistake to forget that it also helps keep homes cool as well.
"A thicker, thermal or blackout curtain is a great addition for when temperatures really climb," advises Helen. "Closing these curtains during the hottest parts of the day, will helps block out excess heat and sunlight, and act as a barrier of thermal resistance that keeps rooms cooler for longer.
"I’d recommend going for a lighter colour of curtain though," she adds, "to further repel the light and heat rather than absorbing it.”
Shop for a window stack
Start with an adjustable slat blind such as this white wooden one that has stylish fabric tapes.
Add a lightweight voile with a semi-transparent finish, such as this fashionable striped voile panel as your mid-layer.
Complete your window stack with a pair of blackout curtains in a light colour for thermal protection.
Window stacking mistakes
Of course, as with any measures for preventing overheating or keeping warm, there's a fine line between too much and too little which can lead to problems. So what should, and shouldn't you do with a window stack?
“A big mistake is not giving your curtains, blinds and shutters the physical space to breathe and move. If your layers are too cramped, different pieces can snag, and you will lose the functionality," warns Helen.
"For instance, if your blind brackets stick out too far, your curtains won't be able to glide smoothly across them, and if bunched-up curtain fabric blocks your blinds or shutters during the day, you won't be able to open them properly.
"To prevent a cluttered and frustrating setup, always map out the exact space each layer requires when pushed back, and keep your handles and control cords on opposite sides so they never get tangled," recommends Helen.
Try a double bracket window pole such as this pack of 3 from Dunelm to make sure there is sufficient space between your final and mid-layer of curtains.
Also make sure you choose the right materials
With the layers each playing their own part in your window stacking system, making sure you use the right materials in the right places is also fundamental to the success of this concept.
“Stacking two blackout-coated items is something I’d avoid," warns Helen. "You’d presume that using two blackout layered window dressings would provide double the efficiency, but in extremely hot situations, the fabric can become slightly tacky and stick to each other, which can tear the blind when pulled apart.
"If you don't want a full three-layered window stack, pairing a blackout blind as the first line of defence, and then a traditionally lined curtain, is usually a better pairing," she recommends.
Find a range of blackout blinds to start your stack at Blinds247.
FAQ
Will window stacking cause ventilation problems?
“As long as your window stack gives a one to two inch gap between the glass and your first layer, and the dressings are well maintained, you shouldn’t have any issues with heat build-up or ventilation," says Helen. "Generally speaking, I’d also advise 'house-burping' – the process of opening all your windows and window dressings for at least ten minutes a day, whatever the weather. This promotes ventilation, and removes the risk of heat getting trapped between each layer," she adds.
"It’s also a useful habit to ensure your window dressings are part of your weekly cleaning regime," she continues. "Often, all they need is a gentle and regular wipe down with a microfibre cloth. This will help you avoid any dust buildup, helping you maintain your window stack through the summer.”
If you're considering a more permanent means of keeping your home cool in a heatwave or during the summer months, you could consider installing air con in your home.
Alternatively, we rate the Meacofan Sefte 10" Pedestal Fan, as well as the Duux Whisper Flex 2 if you want a more portable means of reducing the temperature.
