November 13, 2025, 12:19 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Thermal curtains act like an additional layer of insulation and can be installed in just a few steps. They are intended to help reduce heating costs by minimizing heat loss through windows. myHOMEBOOK consulted an expert to determine whether this measure is truly worthwhile and what impact it can have in everyday life.
Overview
What Is a Thermal Curtain?
A thermal curtain helps keep the cold out and the warmth in during winter. In summer, it works the other way around. In many cases, you can hang the curtain in front of a door or window, but it also serves as a room divider. For instance, if you have a living room without a door, warm air escapes, and the living room doesn’t get properly warm. A thermal curtain can prevent this.
Experts also advocate for the use of thermal curtains. A thermal curtain in front of a window acts as additional insulation and makes sense, says Thomas Zwingmann from the Consumer Center of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The expert also supports the idea of using it as a door replacement, for example, to separate a heated living room from an unheated hallway. “If it’s a small apartment hallway, it might not be so dramatic. But if you think of a larger hallway, I could end up overheating the living room. The warmth always moves into the hallway.” By the way, since it’s not a protected term, thermal or heat curtains can come in various designs.
Related: Do My Heating Costs Increase if My Neighbor Doesn’t Heat?
What Types of Thermal Curtains Are There?
There are two types of thermal curtains:
- First, there are reflective curtains. These are coated with aluminum foil and reflect warm air that wants to escape back into the room—similar to reflective foil.
- Then there are insulating curtains. These are made from extra insulating materials and block warm air from escaping and cold air from entering.
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What to Consider Before Buying a Thermal Curtain
- It’s important to know in advance where the curtain will be hung, as they come in different sizes.
- Also, note that the curtain should be slightly larger than the area it covers to ensure it closes at the sides and bottom.
- Price should not be overlooked; a good thermal curtain doesn’t have to be expensive.
- Rooms with high moisture content, like the bathroom or kitchen, should not be additionally sealed with a curtain, advises Zwingmann.
- Be aware that thermal curtains are always opaque. So if you want to mount one in front of a window, it could be quite dark during the day.
- If you want to hang a thermal curtain in front of a window with a radiator underneath, make sure it’s not too long, says Zwingmann. “Sometimes, curtains are extended by half a meter for aesthetic reasons. In this case, half of the radiator is covered and can’t release its heat. You shouldn’t do that, of course; otherwise, you’re heating the space between the curtain and the wall or the curtain and the window, which is exactly what we don’t want.”
How Much Do Thermal Curtains Cost?
There are various offers for thermal curtains on the market. The costs are reasonable, depending on the size. Affordable models are available from around 15 euros, while more expensive curtains start at 35 euros.