Winter in New Zealand is no joke. If your power bill has you wincing every month, your curtains could be a large slice of the problem. Lots of kiwi homes have curtains that aren't doing their job and are basically heating the outside. Let's fix that.
Spot the signs
Walk around your home and look for these tell tale signs:
- Gaps at the sides - if light sneaks in around the edges, cold air is too.
- Curtains that don't reach the floor - even a 5cm gap at the bottom lets warm air escape.
- Single-glazed windows with no curtain lining - a double whammy of heat loss.
- Thin or sheer-only curtains - beautiful but don’t provide insulation.
- Curtains mounted too close to the window frame - cold air pools between the glass and fabric and seeps into the room.
If you ticked two or more of those, your curtains aren't pulling their weight this winter.
Know the fixes
- Add thermal lining to existing curtains where possible - it makes a surprising difference.
- Go floor-to-ceiling - a longer drop traps warmth far more effectively.
- Switch from a rod to a track - ceiling-mounted tracks close flush to the wall, eliminating side gaps.
- Extend your track or rod wider than the window frame - this reduces cold air spill from the edges
- Consider blockout or thermal-backed curtains for bedrooms and main living areas
Hanging curtains correctly makes a huge difference
Even the most beautiful, high-quality thermal curtains won't perform properly if they're hung the wrong way. It's one of the most overlooked parts of the whole process and why a lot of Kiwihomes are secretly losing heat without realising it.
The position of your track or rod matters a lot. Mount it as close to the ceiling as possible to close off that gap at the top, extend it at least 15-20cm beyond the window frame on each side, and always drop to the floor or within a centimetre of it. Get those three things right and you've already solved most of the heat loss.
Having professionals hang your curtains can be the difference between curtains that look good and curtains that keep you warm.
Don't put up with a cold house this winter
New curtains are one of the smartest home upgrades you can make before winter bites - and right now, Harrisons offers interest-free finance for up to 34 months, so you can sort it now and spread the cost. They'll soon pay for themselves in reduced heating costs.
Book a free in-home consultation and a Harrisons curtain expert will measure up, show you fabric options, and help you choose the right solution for every room.
There's no heavy sales pitch and no obligation - just genuine advice to help you get the best out of your home.
