Which is better for insulating? A thick roller blind or a drape with a liner for insulation.?

Hi, Cellular window shades are one of the top window treatments for insulating. They are also known as honeycomb shades and it is this honeycomb structure that protects your home from the heat and cold. Insulated roman shades work well too. A roller blind does not work as well for insulating but the drapes with liner would. A combination of a insulating shades and drapes would give you the most insulation if cost is not a problem. Hope this helps.

http://www.windowshadesblind.com/cellular-window-s...

http://www.windowshadesblind.com/insulated-roman-s...

Drape with a liner provides a larger airspace between the drape and liner (also thick I presume), providing better insulation. The blinds with the multi-cell design work under the same principle. Material of the drape would make a difference as well. Wool-like materials offer better insulation than a thinner fiber.

I would go with both if possible. the bind/shade will give you the barrier you need for the glass area but the drapes will give you a barrier for the entire casing. If you are trying to block wind/cracks that allow the heat out, you definitely need a drapery. i would get a blind/roller shad for the window , with a sheer and drapery over it. You will then have the most versatility in coverage.

Drapes

If its heat you are trying to overcome, the best offense is a sun screen hung on the outside of the window. I've tried those other solutions but nothing worked better, or cheaper, than those inexpensive solar shade screens.

You can have them custom built and installed, or make them yourself from kits available at a hardware store.

Both!