Blackout curtains are a highlight in every interior

Production technology

Blackout fabric for curtains has a complex composition and its own production features. In its manufacture, double or triple weaving technology is used. The more layers, the higher the light resistance and heat resistance. In addition, each layer has its own functions.

When producing a product from two layers, spraying technology is most often used. A special composition is applied to the outer side of the fabric, which acts as a light reflector.

The inside is treated to give an attractive appearance. However, this option may not last long. Over time, the coating crumbles and the ability to reflect sunlight decreases.

Triple weaving technology is the highest quality. The reflective layer is a white thread, in the middle there is a black thread. The inside can be anything, because it is decorative. Additionally, the fabric can be treated with various chemical impregnations to improve other properties.

Only this production method makes it possible to obtain high-quality curtains with a large number of positive properties, but the price for them is quite high.

What is blackout?

Blackout fabric (English blackout - darkening) is a modern material, which is a multi-layer fabric that absorbs light by 90-100%.

Blackout curtains consist of three layers:

• reflective, white, which is directed towards the window;
• the middle one, the thickest, has a high density and slows down the light flow;
• external, performs a decorative function and is available in a variety of materials and colors.

The wrong side of blackout curtains. Source: jossandmain.com

The wrong side of blackout curtains. Source: jossandmain.com

Light curtain with a blackout pattern. Source: jossandmain.com

Important! The color of blackout curtains does not play a role in light insulation. Therefore, they do not have to be dark and can have any design.

It is believed that blackout was invented in Finland, thereby solving the problem of sleep during the white nights. The material quickly gained popularity around the world due to its exceptional characteristics.

Hot pink blackout curtains in a teenage girl's bedroom. Source: pauljamesblinds.co.uk

Styles

The most popular are curtains that have a simple shape and smooth folds. They are often decorated with photo printing, so such canvases are well suited for decorating living rooms, bedrooms and children's rooms. The day-night style is also popular. Their outer layer is very dense, and the inner layer is decorated with lace or a veil. They give the room an atmosphere of tenderness and comfort.

If compactness and versatility are important, then you should give preference to roll-up curtains. Blackout curtains on plastic windows will look especially good.

Pleated

Housewives with romantic views prefer to decorate their homes with extraordinary and unconventional forms. Decorating arches, decorating inclined surfaces and complex architectural structures can be done using pleated models, which are based on curtain fabric that does not transmit light.

Such accessories decorate the house and combat excess insolation. Models are available that are controlled manually and automatically using control panels. Then the pleated can be placed at a height, leaving an opening for passage open. Such use would be useful in houses with high ceilings or service premises.

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Possible applications

Blackout curtains will be appropriate in any room if chosen correctly.

The most relevant room for such curtains is the bedroom, so that you can relax comfortably at any time of the day. Additional sound insulation is also a big advantage for this room, especially in large and noisy cities.

Sleep is extremely important for young children too. Curtains that limit the amount of light coming in will significantly improve the quality of sleep, which is important for tired parents.

The first floors of large houses are exposed to prying eyes. Thick curtains will help you block out unnecessary attention and feel safe.

Many people have televisions in their living rooms. Blackout curtains will be a useful purchase for those who want to watch any movie in comfortable conditions.

Advantages of curtains made of blackout fabric

Fabric that regulates the intensity of light in a room has found application for home and industrial purposes. It has a number of clear advantages over traditional thick curtain fabrics. These include:

• Long-term protection from sun rays;
• Practicality, ease of washing, no need for ironing;
• Durability;
• Choice of colors;
• Soundproofing;

• Fire safety (fire resistance indicator is above average);
• Suitable for use in rooms of an apartment or house;
• Options made from hypoallergenic materials are possible, which is important for a children's room. The fabric is valuable for offices equipped with computers. Shading windows is important to prevent glare on your monitor.

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Life does not stand still, humanity comes up with new details that make our lives more comfortable and modern. The use of light-absorbing fabric to create a positive microclimate is already today with the prospect of tomorrow.

How to choose?

Before purchasing, you need to consider the parameters of the room and its style.

For living rooms, it is better to choose curtains made of shiny fabrics; they will give the room a festive look. Curtains with eyelets would also be a good solution.

Canvases with drawings and prints are better suited for children's rooms, and for the bedroom you should choose plain and calm tones.

The main thing is that the curtains fit harmoniously into the design of the room.

It is worth paying attention to the quality of the fabric. The weaving must contain black threads, which are the main protection from the sun. The higher quality the fabric, the more expensive it will cost.

Kinds

Curtains are divided into several types depending on their density, ability to reflect light, image, or lining, and also depending on quality.

Such curtains are, first of all, universal, because any style is harmoniously combined with such an innovative new product.

Features of care

Although blackout curtains are strong and durable, they still require care and proper use. They can be washed by hand or in a machine, but the spin cycle must be no more than 400 rpm. The water temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees. When drying, it is advisable to avoid exposure to sunlight. Curtains made using spraying technology are not recommended to be washed.

You can clean curtains no more than once a year. No ironing required after washing.

Disadvantages of curtains

Despite the wide list of positive qualities, blackout curtains have several disadvantages. They are not related to the quality of the material or the service life of the product. Negative aspects of reflective curtains:

• Price. Such models, manufactured according to all the rules, do not have a cheap cost.
• Reflective ability. Not all curtains of this type are capable of reflecting light. Before purchasing, you should bring the sample to the sun or an artificial light source and check whether it copes well enough with its responsibility - not letting the sun's rays through.
• Color. In order to provide the fabric with reflective properties, its structure contains mainly threads of dark colors.

Where can I buy?

The most popular construction goods hypermarkets are Ikea and Leroy Merlin. These stores offer a huge range of curtains for every need. Everyone can see photographs of blackout curtains presented in online catalogues.

The market leaders are Finnish and German manufacturers. There is also a wide range of curtains from Russia and Sweden. In Russia, the Inspire brand is considered the best manufacturer. Customer reviews indicate the good quality of their products

You can find both expensive and high-quality canvases, as well as more economical models, starting from 1,500 rubles.

Roller blinds

The opposite of curtains are roller blinds - not a classic option, but very convenient, functional and, most importantly, do not take up the space of the room given its small size.

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Blackout roller blinds are, so to speak, a fashionable feature of home decoration. A universal option for combating excess light, suitable for any window opening, securely fastened.

The models consist of a functional and easy-to-use design: guide strips are included, and a bottom weighting system is equipped. Very convenient for periodic use, for example, attaching only for the summer period.

Blackout roller blinds, available in a variety of colors, can be used to decorate any interior, create a cozy atmosphere specific to a particular room, and delight the hostess and her guests on a sunny summer day or severe winter cold.

Lightproof roller blinds can also serve an aesthetic function. Thus, made in Japanese style, they will create a unique oriental flavor, and a country pattern will give the room extravagance and originality.

Lightproof blackout roller blinds, just like blackout blinds, come in closed and open versions. In the first case, it is a simple standard design that does not have a protective block. It gets dirty quickly and is not durable. In the second, the structure is additionally equipped with a protective shaft, which is made of durable, hygienic material, easy to clean and tightly attached to the window opening. The presence of automatic lifting of curtains makes the models more expensive, but guarantees against damage due to incorrect movements when opening or closing.

Photos of blackout curtains

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Production

Modern production of blackout fabric can be carried out using two technologies.

1. In the first case, a thin white fabric is applied to a dense textile base; it is also called “spraying”. This is the thinnest layer, but it is the one that serves as protection from the sun’s rays, that is, it is a light reflector. On the other hand, the canvas is decorated with a decorative layer of fabric, which performs an aesthetic function. It can be a smooth plain fabric with a matte structure or with shimmer. Blackout can also be decorated with ornaments, drawings, and hems. The advantages of textiles created in this way are that they are dense and beautiful; this technology allows you to create fabrics of bright colors . The disadvantage of this manufacturing method is the fragility of the spraying, it is easily damaged (scratched and torn), and can peel off.
2. The second technology is the creation of material using weaving techniques: the fabric is made by weaving three threads of different structure. Colored fibers come from the front and back of the fabric, and the inner layer is formed from black and dense threads, which retain light. The advantages of the material made using this method: dense and, at the same time, soft and smooth surface. The disadvantage of such textiles is that they cannot have bright colors - the presence of black thread in the structure of the fabric contributes to the formation of grayish and muted shades. On a blackout of a dark color this is not noticeable, but for a fabric where the top and bottom layers are light, this nuance catches the eye.

Application and care

Blackout fabric is used mainly for interior decoration, namely:

• curtains of various types (classic, roller, lambrequins, scalloped, Japanese panels);
• curtains for theater stages, photo studios;
• in decorating walls (instead of wallpaper);
• in various types of creativity: scrapbooking, textile applique, patchwork.

How to wash and iron fabric?

Despite the density of the blackout material, it is not difficult to care for. This type of fabric should be washed in warm water (40 degrees) by hand or in a machine using the “hand” or “delicate” washing mode. Spinning is allowed up to 400 rpm, but even without spinning the material dries very quickly.

Hang the canvas to dry in a shaded place. Ironing of this material is not necessary; it retains its structure well. If there are any bruises, you can quickly remove them with a warm iron. Products made from blackout fabric do not need frequent washing; one or two such procedures per year will be enough, because the structure of the fabric and the materials included in its composition repel dust and dirt well.

Blackout for curtains

Everything is quite simple here. Since the choice of blackout fabric in style, texture and color is very large, it can be used for most curtain models. This material can be used both for simple long curtains and for classic curtains with swags or lambrequins. All that remains is to choose a fabric that matches the style and color of the interior.

The photo shows the use of curtains in a more classic interior. Heavy curtains look very good in the interior of the living room (aka wine room) with the use of wooden beams, wicker baskets and rough tiles on the floor.