
So many times we hear people say "I don't want drapes because they are old fashioned" This is not neccessarly the case as you can see by the following window treatments used.
It has given the room a warmer look and, in fact, has at least doubled the insalation quality of a simple holland blind treatment. You'll have a 33% sun reduction in the house and 10% loss of warmth in the winter as found by the US Department of Energy Efficiency. Source Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
In the summer you should close the draperies on windows that receive direct sunlight to prevent heat gain. According to the University of Florida, medium-colored draperies with white-plastic backings have been found to reduce heat gains by 33%. Draperies also stay cooler in the summer than some other window treatments because their pleats and folds lose heat through convection.