By Belinda Castles
Researcher | Kairangahau
Curtains are essential for a warm, healthy home. Here’s what you need to know if you’re renting.
Does a landlord need to provide curtains?
No, your landlord doesn’t have to provide curtains or blinds. But if curtains were there when you moved in, and they’re listed in the tenancy agreement, the landlord must maintain them to an acceptable condition.
That means if they fall apart through fair wear and tear, the landlord replaces them. Or if the curtain rail breaks or a runner snaps, and it’s not deliberate, the landlord fixes it.
If you can’t hang curtains because you don’t have curtain tracks, talk to your landlord. Landlords must agree to a minor change like installing curtains.
Hopefully, in the future that will change. Parliament is currently considering the Residential Tenancies (Requiring Landlords to Provide Curtains) Amendment Bill. If enacted, it will require landlords to provide insulated curtains or window coverings.
Why do you need curtains?
When warm air hits cold glass, two things happen: the warm air escapes and the newly cooled air forms condensation on the windowpane.
The best way of dealing with this is by keeping warm air away from the window with curtains or blinds, which create a pocket of air between the window and the window covering.
By keeping the warm air in, you can also keep your power bills down.
Which curtains are best?
In previous testing, we found:
Heavy-lined curtains (which have an additional lining layer) retained more heat than thermal-backed ones.
Floor-length curtains retained more heat than ones that stop at the windowsill.
Net curtains were the worst-performing option, but still better than a bare window.
DIY window insulator kits can make a big difference to warmth retention. You can buy them from your local hardware store, and they are a more affordable option than double glazing.
Getting the most out of curtains
Ideally, curtains should touch the floor, and the track and curtain should be wider than the window frame. The most important thing is to cover the whole window and create a seal against the cold air.
Curtains should fit tightly against the wall or window frame. Sometimes changing the type of track they’re hung on can close a gap between the window and the curtain. For example, rods and rails are often installed a few centimetres out from the window, which means there can be big gaps and no seal.
Pelmets – a framework placed above a window to hide the curtain fixtures – can help block airflow over the top of the curtains. But they won’t stop it completely, and we found you can achieve better results with two low-cost hacks. A rolled towel on top of a curtain rail can act like a makeshift pelmet by reducing the gap above the curtain. Pinning an extra fleece layer behind a curtain also improved warmth in our testing.
Open curtains every morning to make the most of the sun’s heat, and close them at sundown to keep that heat in.
Blinds are another option for retaining heat, but they need to be installed snugly inside the window frame to be effective. If they sit out from the window, or if there are gaps between the blind and the frame, they’re not going to keep the heat in. Find out which blinds are best in our curtains and blinds guide.
How do I clean curtains?
Cleaning curtains regularly reduces mould and dust mites.
Unhook them and give them a good shake. If they’re made of light material, you can wash them in your washing machine on a delicate cycle. If they’re made of heavier fabric, handwashing may be a better option.
You can also simply sponge them down with hot water.
Hang them in the sun to dry.
Where to buy cheap curtains
There are a number of options for sourcing well-priced curtains for your home.
Second hand curtains: Most op shops sell cheap curtains. Before you buy, check for mould – it is usually brown, black or yellow.
Cheap, ready-made curtains: Stores such as The Warehouse, Spotlight and Kmart often sell ready-made curtains, or ready-made detachable lining, for less than $100. Measure your windows before you go shopping to make sure you get a good fit.
Free, upcycled curtains: Curtain banks upcycle donated curtains and give them out for free to low-income households. Some may require an agency referral to access their services.
Find a curtain bank near where you live with the Citizen Advice Bureau’s online curtain bank directory.
A renter's guide to a warmer home
Our free guide provides advice and tips on what you can do to make your home warmer, cosier and cheaper to heat.
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