Most of us close the shades when the weather turns cold. It feels logical: shut out the chill, keep the warmth in. But for many Canadian homes, the better move is the opposite. Opening your shades in winter during the day can help warm a room, and closing them at dusk helps keep that warmth in.
This does not mean you should leave windows bare around the clock. It means timing matters. Here is how to use your window treatments as a simple daily routine this winter.
Why Open Shades Help During the Day
Sunlight carries heat. Even a low winter sun can warm a south- or west-facing room through the glass. When your shades are closed, that free warmth never gets in.
On a sunny January morning, you can feel it on your arms. Letting that light in gives your heating system a break, at least for part of the day.
Which Windows Matter Most
South-facing windows get the most winter sun, followed by east and west. North-facing windows get little direct sun, so they are better kept covered during the cold hours.
Why Closing Them at Dusk Matters
Once the sun goes down, a window becomes the coldest surface in your room. Closing your shades or drapes adds a layer between that cold glass and the air you live in. The room feels more comfortable, and you are less likely to reach for the thermostat.
Heavier fabrics help most. Solid drapes and blackout drapes add thickness, while a tight-fitting roller shade adds a clean barrier behind them.
A Simple Daily Rhythm
Open shades once the sun hits the window. Close them about an hour before sunset. In a house with many windows, this is the point where automation earns its keep.
Pick the Right Products for the Job
Different products do different work in cold months.
Roller shades are slim and tidy. They sit close to the glass and are easy to open and close each day. Choose a light filtering fabric for daytime and pair with drapes for night.
Solid drapes and blackout drapes add the most visible warmth. They look cozy, and they suit living rooms and bedrooms alike.
Sheers let in daylight and keep privacy, so they are a good daytime layer in rooms where you do not want a bare window.
Let Technology Do the Routine
The hardest part of this approach is remembering. Motorized or remote-controlled treatments can open at sunrise and close at sunset, so the pattern happens without you thinking about it. Many systems also work with your phone or voice assistant.
My Home Blinds offers exceptional customer service, and our team can help you choose the right level of automation. Our high-end, quality products and competitive pricing mean you can start with a single room and add more later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will open shades make my room colder at night?
Yes, if left open. That is why closing them at dusk is key.
Do thicker drapes really help?
They add a layer of insulation between you and the glass, which can make a room feel warmer. The effect varies with your windows and fabric.
What about privacy during the day?
Sheers or light filtering shades let in daylight while keeping people from seeing in clearly.
Should I do this in every room?
Start with sunny rooms you use during the day, like a living room or home office.
Ready to Find the Perfect Blinds?
Browse our full collection at myhomeblinds.ca and find the right window treatments for every room in your home.
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