Blockout Curtains to Block Out All the Light....

Curtains and drapery fabrics have come a long way in the last few years – and many designers are using them in preference to blinds as they add a luxury and style that create a unique individual look.
Blockout Curtains or Blackout Curtains is an increasingly popular choice for the Queensland home. It is important to realise that any colour curtain can be made to black out the room – even a white fabric. The coating on the back of the fabric or the lining on lined curtains is the element that provides the total block out / black out.
There are two ways to achieve total block / black out in the construction of a curtain: use block out coated fabric or make linings for the curtains.
Unlined or Blockout Coated Curtains, do not have a separate sewn in lining, but rather have the coating applied directly to the face fabric, so there is only one layer of fabric.
Blockout Curtains or Blackout Curtains is an increasingly popular choice for the Queensland home. It is important to realise that any colour curtain can be made to black out the room – even a white fabric. The coating on the back of the fabric or the lining on lined curtains is the element that provides the total block out / black out.
There are two ways to achieve total block / black out in the construction of a curtain: use block out coated fabric or make linings for the curtains.
Unlined or Blockout Coated Curtains, do not have a separate sewn in lining, but rather have the coating applied directly to the face fabric, so there is only one layer of fabric.
The advantage of coated fabrics is that the cost of the curtain is reduced as there is no lining and slightly lower labour cost. The down side is that the curtains can show needle holes (stitching line) with the light behind it. This issue can be overcome on the vertical seams by using a little more fabric to create an overlap arm for centre opening curtains; and extending the width of the curtain and tracks passed the window architrave. The horizontal seam (hem) may still show stitch holes if the window is full length with no architrave.
Be careful when selecting coated fabrics – the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason! We only use very supple coated fabrics, which are soft to the touch and make up into well behaved pleats that hold their shape the length of the drop. Some coated fabrics on the market are very stiff and hard – when pleated up they splay out rather than holding their shape.
Lined Curtains have a face fabric facing into the room while the block out / black out lining sits behind the face fabric closest to the window. With insulation and energy efficiency very much on everybody’s minds, our new Super Soft thermal coated lining will reduce the heat loss down to only 4%, reduce heat gain to 5% and reduce background noise by 34%.
Our Super Soft thermal lining is soft to the touch as you would expect from a quality lining. Linings are used for the following reasons, they:
• Provide structure to the curtains by replicating the pleats in the face fabric.
• Protect your investment in the face fabric from perishing in the sun.
• Provide thermal insulation, keeping heat out in summer and warmth in during winter.
Because a lined curtain has 2 layers it provides for better insulation.
We are familiar with both types of fabrics and can advise you what works best for your needs. We also have some little tricks to provide better results with coated fabrics!
Nothing beats the luxury and softness that curtains provide. Today we have such a wonderful choice of fabrics available.
We see all the new trends, colour palettes, textures from both Australia and overseas, we know what fits with the unique coastal “indoor – outdoor” lifestyle of South East Queensland – which is totally different to say the colder climates of Southern Australia.
A new trend that is emerging is to have double tracks. The back track closest to the window has the block out lining, and the front track facing the room has a beautiful sheer fabric. Linings are now available in many colours to complement the sheer fabric. For more information on sheer or lace curtains CLICK HERE
Advantages for blockout curtains and blackout curtains over other types of window coverings include:
For information on curtain tracks, rods and poles see CLICK HERE
Be careful when selecting coated fabrics – the cheaper ones are cheap for a reason! We only use very supple coated fabrics, which are soft to the touch and make up into well behaved pleats that hold their shape the length of the drop. Some coated fabrics on the market are very stiff and hard – when pleated up they splay out rather than holding their shape.
Lined Curtains have a face fabric facing into the room while the block out / black out lining sits behind the face fabric closest to the window. With insulation and energy efficiency very much on everybody’s minds, our new Super Soft thermal coated lining will reduce the heat loss down to only 4%, reduce heat gain to 5% and reduce background noise by 34%.
Our Super Soft thermal lining is soft to the touch as you would expect from a quality lining. Linings are used for the following reasons, they:
• Provide structure to the curtains by replicating the pleats in the face fabric.
• Protect your investment in the face fabric from perishing in the sun.
• Provide thermal insulation, keeping heat out in summer and warmth in during winter.
Because a lined curtain has 2 layers it provides for better insulation.
We are familiar with both types of fabrics and can advise you what works best for your needs. We also have some little tricks to provide better results with coated fabrics!
Nothing beats the luxury and softness that curtains provide. Today we have such a wonderful choice of fabrics available.
We see all the new trends, colour palettes, textures from both Australia and overseas, we know what fits with the unique coastal “indoor – outdoor” lifestyle of South East Queensland – which is totally different to say the colder climates of Southern Australia.
A new trend that is emerging is to have double tracks. The back track closest to the window has the block out lining, and the front track facing the room has a beautiful sheer fabric. Linings are now available in many colours to complement the sheer fabric. For more information on sheer or lace curtains CLICK HERE
Advantages for blockout curtains and blackout curtains over other types of window coverings include:
- Better energy insulation in curtains, especially in winter and even more so if you have a pelmet above the curtain, as they trap warm air and help to prevent heat from escaping through the glass.
- Better light block out in curtains as no gaps, and even more so if you have a pelmet above the curtain, as this prevents the “halo effect” of light bouncing out above the curtain.
- Acoustics – a room with all hard surfaces and no softness will echo. Curtains will absorb sound.
For information on curtain tracks, rods and poles see CLICK HERE