Blockout Curtains

Spotlight's Guide To Blockout Curtains

Blockout curtains are a popular curtain choice for bedrooms these days, as they block out most of the sunlight and keep the room nice and dark. Of course, there are lot of things to know about blockout curtains aside from this, so we decided to create a useful guide for you to refer to. If you are interested in blockout curtains and their features, be sure to read on.

How Do Blockout Curtains Work?

While blockout curtains have many benefits, their main purpose is blocking out sunlight from the outdoors. To perform this function, blockout curtains must be made with specific materials that can block out the light, this mainly includes heavier fabrics with a tight weave.

There is always a bit of discussion as to how much light blockout curtains eliminate. The answer to this question demands us to explain two other curtain types with similar features, this includes room darkening curtains and light filtering curtains.

In theory, blockout curtains should eliminate 100% of the incoming light. If you choose room darkening curtains, your curtains will block out 95-99% of incoming light. Anything below 95% falls under the category of light filtering curtains.

What Is The Difference Between Blockout Curtains And Thermal Insulated Curtains?

While there are certain blockout curtains that come with thermal insulation, to illustrate the difference between both types, let us take a closer look at the definition of each type of curtain, this will make it easier to distinguish between them.

A thermal insulated curtain is created to keep your home warm during the colder months, this through a special coating or layer of acrylic. Naturally, these curtains can block some degree of light, but not all reach the level of a blockout curtain.

Many manufacturers are now applying thermal properties to their blockout curtains. Instead of the acrylic layer you will find with dedicated thermal curtains, they will use an acrylic coating on the back of the curtain, this provides similar benefits as the acrylic foam used in thermal curtains.

In conclusion, blockout curtain's main purpose is blocking out sunlight, while thermal insulated curtains are focussed on keeping warmth inside the home. In some rare cases, curtains can display both qualities.

Are Blockout Curtains Necessary For A Good Night Sleep?

The use of blockout curtains often comes down to your surroundings. For example, if there is a streetlight right opposite your window, it is likely that the streetlight will disturb your sleep. Naturally, if your room is dark enough without a blockout curtain, then there is no problem.

There are certain people who do need to sleep during the day, especially if they work the nightshift. Sleeping during the day is not that easy though, especially if there is a lot of noise and light coming in from the outside. To prevent this, blockout curtains can provide a solution and a better sleeping environment overall.

Are Blockout Curtains Made From Heavier Fabrics?

Blockout curtains must have the ability to keep light out, this means that manufacturers will always use a heavier fabric with a tight weave. The tighter the weave, the less likely light will escape through the tiny gaps.

Since blockout curtains can be heavier than the average curtain, it is important to take this into consideration when you go shopping for a curtain track or a curtain pole. For heavier curtains, it can be advised to choose more durable materials such as metal. If you rather not have metal, you can also choose PVC or wood with a larger pole diameter.

Does Spotlight Provide Blockout Curtains Or Fabrics?

At Spotlight, customers can find both blockout curtains and fabrics. Our premade curtains are perfect for anyone who wants to replace their existing curtains or wants to provide their window a quick makeover. Of course, if you want to put a more personal stamp on your blockout curtains, you can check out the many blockout fabrics in our catalogue.

Do you have a question about blockout curtains or the blockout fabrics available at Spotlight? Do not hesitate to get in touch via email or telephone. Alternatively, you can also visit Spotlight in person and get some assistance from a member of our team.