what's best for keeping out draughts? discuss!

[nappyaddict]

lined blinds or lined curtains?

for draughts (ie got gappy windows) your aim is for your window dressing to create a nice thick seal to stop the wind blowing through. So ultimate is thick interlined generous curtains down to the floor and fitted tight against the window surround.

If it's just big thin-glass single glazed windows and you are trying to prevent radiant cold (ie cold transmitting through the glass) then well-fitted blinds can help but you need to watch out for cold air leakage (cold air sinks).

I would go for curtains. Do NOT trap the radiator behind them though - if the radiator is under the window you should aim to tuck the curtains behind it so the heat stays in the room.

Yes, I live in a big draughty victorian house with huge single-paned thin glassed wondows...

Oh, and if you strip the floors you will get draughts if the floorboards are gappy. Stick to nice fitted carpets with top quality underlay, or get the floorboards relaid with some kind of draughtproof membrane underneath them

Curtains I'd think, to cover the whole window recess rather than allow cold air in around the edges. Also would hang more than one thickeness with gatehrs.

ok ... what if you couldn't have floor length curtains cos the dog would pee up them?