Yahoo News Martin Lewis issues curtain tip which could save households hundreds
Martin Lewis has shared how curtains could save potentially hundreds of pounds and reduce heating bills. The Money Saving Expert, a familiar face on ITV and BBC, told how you could save cash when buying this home essential.
He also encouraged those with experience in retail to share their insider knowledge on cost-saving measures. A former fabrics and furnishings employee took the opportunity to advise listeners during the podcast, telling Martin: "I used to work in fabrics and furnishings," reports BirminghamLive.
The ex-retail worker shared: "My tips for buying curtains is that shops will often say you need to buy curtains two or three times the width of your window. Yes, they do look better with more gather but it's not actually needed, that's about aesthetics, that's great if you've got pots of money but actually one-and-a-half times is enough."
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"My tips for buying curtains is that shops will often say you need to buy curtains two or three times the width of your window. Yes, they do look better with more gather but it's not actually needed, that's about aesthetics, that's great if you've got pots of money but actually one-and-a-half times is enough.
"Plus, if you buy with a thermal or blackout lining, they will last longer, it also insulates your home better." Martin said: "That could save some serious amounts of money. Curtains are incredibly expensive." He went on: "Going for one-and-a-half times the width could have a material impact on your finances."
Curtains can cost up to £3,000 if they are made to measure and of a premium quality. Homehow explains in a guide on its website: "Depending on the complexity of the job, the average cost of fitting curtains is around £40-£400 per window.
"This includes the cost of the curtains, the hardware, and the installation." The site goes on to explain: "Simple nylon curtains will usually cost around £10-£40, whereas the price for professionally fitted custom-designed silk curtains on a large bay window is around £2000-£3000.
"The average cost for fitting a curtain pole or handrail is around £80-£150."
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