9000 Series blackout curtain with Softdrape FR Jute fabric
Curtains are a timeless and flexible solution for shading, privacy and solar control in residential and commercial buildings.
Curtains can be used to reduce solar gain cutting discomfort from heat and glare. They are also soft surfaces which have acoustic benefits, reducing sound transfer and reverberation which improves occupant comfort.
Are you looking for advice about using curtains in your building? Just call or send us a message for free expert advice.
There are three main categories of curtains:
| Sheer Curtains | Dimout Curtains | Blackout Curtains | |
| Light Block | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cost | £££££ | £££££ | £££££ |
| Strength/Lifespan | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Maintenance Free |  |
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| Design options | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Child Safety | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Sheer Curtains
What are sheer curtains? Sheer curtains are usually made from a single layer of semi-transparent fabric which gives a diffused view through from inside to outside. They’re often used as a supplement to the main curtains.
They are typically installed for three main purposes:
- Daytime privacy from outside to in when there is overlooking from street level or an adjacent building.
- Reduction of solar gain, both light and heat to improve occupant comfort and reject heat to help the cooling.
- Acoustic benefits reducing sound reflection in environments where there are a lot of hard surfaces.
Sheers do not exclude all light and are often seen as a ‘filter’ which allows a connection to outside and the sun can normally still be directly seen. It is often subjective to different people, which means an understanding is needed in how to specify and use them to get the intended benefits.
The view through a sheer will always be from the darker side to the brighter side. This means that at night, when lights are on inside there will be a view through to the inside.
Dimout Curtains
What are dimout curtains? Dimout curtains allow light through them but do not allow a view through to outside. They are made from either a single layer of fabric, or with a lining but do not create a blackout effect.
They are most often installed for:
- Privacy in living areas in residential apartments, but not blackout
- Shading and dressing for commercial offices, receptions and meeting rooms
- Space dividing and making flexible meeting spaces
Broad fabric ranges, headings and finishes give more flexible choices than blinds for interior designers and are often used where challenging building and window shapes and angles prevent blinds being installed.
Blackout Curtains
What are blackout curtains? Blackout curtains are made from either a single layer of opaque fabric, or also with a blackout lining to reduce incoming light by over 90%. While light will come around the edges, blackout fabrics stop light coming through the body of the curtain.
They are normally installed in buildings where:
- Blackout is needed in bedrooms in residential developments
- Commercial meeting rooms have regular AV presentations going on
- Research and pharmaceutical labs have light sensitive requirements
Because of their insulating properties, blackout curtains are desirable where there are large areas of glass and space and a flexible way of blocking light and heat is needed, but not at the expense of design and finishes.
