Thermal roller blinds are so much more than a design feature for your windows; they can be game-changers for energy efficiency, temperature control and the overall comfort of your home. Just ask anyone who’s battled the sweltering heat of summer in a newbuild flat or the drafts of old sash windows in a Victorian terraced house.
Whether you're trying to keep your home cosy in a cold snap or cool in a heatwave, the best thermal roller blinds offer the insulation, light management and the style needed to make your space feel just right.
In this guide, we'll take you through the best thermal roller blinds available, including ready-made and made-to-measure options for various window types and interior aesthetics. So, whether you’re planning a home makeover or looking to make easy savings through the winter months, read on for our picks.
How do thermal roller blinds regulate temperatures?
The use of insulating thick cotton, polyester or wool blends in thermal blinds helps trap air and reduce heat transfer. This means that when they’re closed, they can create an extra layer of insulation that helps keep warmth inside during colder months. Not just a one-season investment, they work the other way round in summer by blocking heat from entering.
Some thermal roller blinds are also designed with reflective coatings that bounce back sunlight and heat to keep interiors cooler. Plus, the majority of thermal blinds are also blackout blinds, controlling the amount of natural light that enters a room, which also goes some way to helping maintain a comfortable temperature.
Then there are cellular or honeycomb thermal roller blinds, which utilise multiple layers of fabric to create air pockets that can act as a further insulating barrier, much like how double glazing works on windows. In the end, the choice to go with this option will come down to personal preference, as though they can add an extra bit of insulation, they often come at the cost of tasteful home decor.
Do thermal roller blinds block out light effectively?
Thermal roller blinds tend to be very good at keeping light out, with most doubling as blackout blinds. Like any blinds, their effectiveness will come down to the material. Look for blinds that use tightly woven fabrics or are laminated with layers of opaque material to prevent any light from passing through.
If you’re someone who can’t get their 40 winks unless shrouded in total darkness, some blinds come with enhanced light-blocking capabilities, such as side channels or overlapping edges to prevent light from leaking through the edges of the blind.
Your choice of mounting option will also have some influence in how they block out light. While opting for blinds that can be mounted inside your window’s recess is a popular aesthetic choice, choosing a roller blind with an outside mount will prevent light leakage and is also likely to be more effective at blocking out cold drafts.
Are thermal roller blinds easy to install?
Installing ready-made and made-to-measure roller blinds purchased online is a manageable task even for the most DIY-challenged reader. Screws and wall plugs tend to come provided, so all you’ll need are basic measuring skills, a drill and a pencil for making wall markings. Larger or heavier blinds may require two people for easier handling, but for standard sizes, you should be looking at dedicating up to 30 minutes of your time per blind.
Best thermal roller blinds at a glance
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So’Home Twilight thermal blackout roller blind
Best: overall
La Redoute’s So'Home Twilight thermal blackout roller blind is a standout choice for anyone looking to strike the balance between style, functionality and value. This French e-tailer has become synonymous with chic home decor at affordable price points, and these thermal blinds are no exception.
Perfect for bedrooms and media rooms, the Twilight blind features a thermal lining that helps insulate your space while providing a full blackout. With eight stylish colour options ranging from classic neutrals to bold hues like denim, ochre and mauve, there’s an option to complement any interior scheme, too.
While their ease of installation is a welcome bonus for those lacking noteworthy DIY experience, as with many polyester roller blinds, the mechanism can take a bit of patience to break in once installed, and may seem a little stiff on first use.
Buy now £25.00, La Redoute
John Lewis Anyday blackout/thermal roller blind
Best for: value
A standout choice for anyone looking to enhance the insulation and style of their home on a shoestring, this ready-made roller blind from John Lewis ticks a lot of our boxes for a fraction of the price of made-to-measure.
Available in five neutral, goes-with-any scheme colours, this blind uses a thermal lining to effectively block out light and help regulate temperatures. They’re supplied with easy-fit universal brackets that work on all wall types, and you can count on John Lewis to ensure the clearest installation instructions of any blind in this edit, including how to cut to size if not quite the right dimensions. It’s useful information to have, given they only come in four sizes.
Buy now £15.00, John Lewis
New Edge Blinds thermal blackout blind
Best: thermal roller blinds on Amazon
If you're in search of a blind that blends practicality with affordability, this thermal blackout number from New Edge Blinds is just the ticket, especially if you're an Amazon Prime member.
Offering impressive insulation and light-blocking performance, these blinds are designed to keep your room dark and cosy while also helping to reduce energy costs by keeping out the cold through winter.
They’re available in a wide range of neutral tones and come in an extensive range of ready-made sizes, so you’re sure to find something that works for every window in the house.
Buy now £19.45, Amazon
John Lewis Foxlease blackout/thermal roller blind
Best: floral thermal roller blinds
Interior designers tend to opt for the opulence of curtains or stacked Roman blinds over roller, but we’re willing to bet many would make an exception for this. The charming floral design from John Lewis is kitsch yet refined, combining statement style with thermal efficiency. The perfect blind for maintaining a cool and comfortable environment all year round.
Buy now £35.00, John Lewis
Furnished thermal blackout roller blind
Best for: ready-made size options
Cheap, contemporary, and with more than 50 pre-cut sizes to choose from, ranging from widths of 45-200cm, there’s a lot to love about Furnished’s thermal blackout roller blind. The polycotton fabric may not scream luxury, but the composition has admirable thermal properties to help prevent cold drafts and stop unwanted cold and heat from entering your rooms.
We’re also big fans of the myriad mounting options this blind offers, including not only inside and outside recesses of windows but also side, top and window face fixings. Our only advice is to steer clear of bolder colours like lime green and red, which can lend to a cheaper-looking finish.
Buy now £16.99, Amazon
Blinds2Go Double DuoLight cordless thermal blind
Best for: large windows
This Blinds2Go blind features a double-layered honeycomb structure designed to maximise heat retention, making it a top choice for energy efficiency.
Its sleek, contemporary look is particularly well-suited to modern spaces, like floor-to-ceiling windows in new-build flats or the expansive bi-fold doors of house extensions – areas that often demand extra temperature regulation, especially during the summer months.
The cordless mechanism not only enhances its sleek, modern aesthetic but also adds an important safety feature, reducing the risk of entanglement for children and pets. As these blinds are made-to-measure, they come at a slightly higher price than the ready-made options in our selection, but the custom fit is worth it.
With a light-filtering lining that allows soft natural light to seep through year-round, we’d suggest reserving these for living spaces rather than bedrooms, where total blackout might be more desirable.
Buy now £19.00, Blinds2Go
Blinds2Go Thermal Luxe dimout biscuit roller blind
Best for: rustic interiors
Looking to create a warm, countrified feel that goes beyond just thermal efficiency? These roller blinds, with their tactile fabric and soft “biscuit” hue, bring a rich, homely feel that stands out from the usual sea of flat-coloured polyester options online.
Ideal for living rooms, dining areas, and cosy nooks, they gently filter natural light while providing excellent thermal protection, thanks to the energy-saving lining laminated on the reverse. A perfect blend of style and substance, they’ll add warmth both visually and physically to your space.
Buy now £19.45, Blinds2Go
Graham & Brown Borneo norse forest roller blind
Best: luxury thermal roller blind
Roller blinds needn’t skimp on the luxurious appeal of their Roman cousins, and the selection of patterns at Graham & Brown is a testament to this. These made-to-measure roller blinds come in a plethora of designs that turn a functional window accessory into the focal point of the room.
The thermal capabilities of these blinds are added as you build them to your own specifications online. Opting for a blackout lining ensures they come in a specialised heavyweight fabric that reduces the light that disperses into the room in warmer months and retains heat by blocking out drafts when it’s cold. It’ll also protect the main fabric from direct sunlight, thereby protecting the pattern and colours from fading over time.
Our favourite? We love the cosy cabin vibe of this Norse forest print, available in seven different colour options.
Buy now £72.00, Graham & Brown
247Blinds perfect fit blind
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Best: window-face mounted thermal roller blinds
Taking a different approach to window dressing, 247’s Perfect Fit blinds are designed to fit snugly into your window frame, creating a sleek, streamlined look.
What’s even more impressive is that this discreet blind boasts some of the best thermal capabilities in our selection, thanks to its honeycomb design which provides an extra layer of insulation for your windows.
These blinds can be customised to fit any window in your home, making them particularly well-suited for individual panes of glass, such as those found in sash windows. And don’t worry about overcomplicated installations – these blinds are designed for a drill-free setup, making the process as straightforward as can be.
Buy now £33.00, 247Blinds
Dunelm blackout moisture resistant roller blind
Best for: bathrooms and kitchens
If you're looking for a blind that can withstand humid environments while keeping light out and temperatures regulated, this Dunelm moisture-resistant blind could be precisely what you need. Specifically designed for moisture-prone spaces like bathrooms and kitchens, it not only blocks out heat and cold drafts but also ensures long-lasting durability in steamy conditions. The blackout lining offers added privacy, another important feature for bathrooms.
While it’s available in just five ready-made sizes, the blind can be easily trimmed to fit your window frame with the right tools, making it versatile and practical. The grey design probably won’t secure you a cover in the Standard’s Homes & Property section any time soon, but if you wish to prioritise price and practicality, you’ll struggle to beat them.
Buy now £14.00, Dunelm
Verdict: Simple, stylish and effective, La Redoute’s ready-made So’Home Twilight thermal blackout roller blind ticks every box, and for a price point that won’t break the bank.
