Winter window treatments are not a new concept; people have been covering the windows of their homes for many years using whatever they could find that would fit the bill. Extra quilts, blankets, bedding and plastic coverings have been used to cover windows during cold weather for as long as people have been putting windows in homes. Nowadays, many places offer a wide variety of affordable and attractive winter curtains to fit your window covering needs. Winter curtains found at many outlets are available in a variety of fabrics such as cotton duck in both solids and stripes, faux silk, antique satin and attractive prints. So you no longer have to make a fashion compromise in your home to save on heating bills.

Outrageous heating bills that come during the coldest season of the year are often ridiculously high and can even be unaffordable for many families. Using thermal window treatments such as these can save you a lot of money on heating costs. In addition to being energy efficient, thermal window treatments also block 99% of outdoor light, providing you with effective blackout curtains that also work as a noise reduction method. Thermal curtains use an insulating material to create a barrier between the window and the room in order to keep the colder air out and the room temperature warmer without working with pesky window plastic wrap kits.

Compare these window treatment costs:

• Homemade thermal curtain-$40-70
• Custom made curtain (installed) $70-200
• Double paned window (installed) $150-500

While replacing the windows for energy efficiency is the best idea, thermal curtains will help until that more costly job can be completed.

By investing in thermal curtains you can save a lot of money on your heating bills this winter. Thermal window treatments such as acrylic foam backed winter window curtains in the Eclipse Thermaback brand and the Weathermate Thermalogic brand by Commonwealth are good choices that will serve your needs well. The choices available such as interlined thermal window curtains by Lorraine Home Fashions and triple weave thermal curtains like the Thermaweave brand by Eclipse allow you to decorate your windows to suit while still benefiting from heat-saving thermal window treatments.