Definition and description of blackout fabric: from production to application

Lightproof fabric is used as the basis for blackout roller blinds. These curtains allow you to completely darken the room. After familiarizing yourself with the features of different types of blinds, you can choose an option for each room.

Blackout roller blinds do not allow sunlight to pass through, which is especially important when installed in the bedroom.

Choosing curtains that do not allow light to pass through

Thick curtains that do not allow light to pass through are among the most popular and sought-after curtain models. If we turn to the origins of the word “curtain”, translated from French the word “porte” means “door”. Given the constantly changing weather in France, curtains were hung in the aisles as an additional protective layer between the street and the room. In the modern world, thick curtains not only block extraneous sounds and light and are placed on window openings, but also serve as a decorative element of the interior.

How effective are Roman blinds in winter?

Roman shades contain many pleats, the effectiveness of which can be improved by using a blackout aluminum covering. In summer, it reflects the sun's rays, preventing excessive sunlight from entering the house and overheating the room.

On cold days, this type of Roman blind works as optimal thermal insulation, reflecting room heat inward.

How to choose good curtains

Despite the decorative component, blackout curtains perform a number of functions:

• Prevent the penetration of extraneous sounds from the streets (the hum of voices, cars and other sounds);
• Preservation of heat in the room, preventing cold air from entering through the gaps between the window opening and the window frame;
• They protect the owners of the house from prying eyes (which is especially important in private houses with windows facing the street or on the first floors of multi-story buildings);
• Allows you to regulate the flow of natural light entering the room.

Note. In the evening, when the light is on in the room, from the street you can always clearly see what is happening inside the house. Therefore, the thicker the curtains, the less chance that the curious will be left with a “nose”.

However, the question of which curtains to choose needs to be better understood, since in addition to the types of material for curtains, it is necessary to decide which models to choose that do not allow light to pass through?

Double pleated blinds are effective in summer and winter

A good solution for improving the thermal insulation of a room during the winter cold is to install double pleated blinds in the windows, reminiscent of the structure of a honeycomb. They can also be installed in skylights, which are particularly vulnerable to heat loss.

In the summer, pleated blinds can perfectly cool your home, protecting your household from the heat, and in the winter they can serve to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Their 100% impenetrable honeycomb structure not only acts as sun protection, but also effectively traps warm air in any room, even the attic.

Advantages of double pleated blinds:

• They can significantly reduce heat loss in residential and commercial buildings.
• The dual honeycomb structure is 100% waterproof and very durable.
• Thanks to the aluminum coating, it allows you to optimally darken the room.
• Can be ordered for any window size.
• Easily adapts to windows of atypical shapes.
• Works well to protect roof windows from heat and cold.
• A variety of colors allows you to choose them to suit the design of any interior.

WINDOWS MEDIA recommends reading: What accessories for plastic windows will keep you warm in winter

Types of thick curtains

• Rolled. Based on the name, they are fabric wound on a small shaft.
• Classic. Classic curtains are a paradise for an interior designer, because you can play with such curtains, add accessories, and create intricate folds.
• Japanese. Along with Roman and rolled, they are a straight cut.
• Blinds. They can be either metal or fabric. The latter option is more popular for use in office premises than at home.
• Scalloped. Invented in Austria, where the material is tied with cords and threaded into rings, forming small puffs at the bottom.

What fabric is suitable for curtains?

Can you imagine an apartment or house without windows and curtains? Curtains serve the function of coziness and comfort, do not let in the sun's rays and hide the inner life of the house from prying eyes. To choose curtain fabric, you need to decide in advance on the place and task where they will be located.

Every woman knows what tulle looks like. This is a delicate, translucent, volatile material, very thin and light. It bears its name in honor of the city in France where it was invented - Tulle. This is a very ancient fabric - its first mention was back in the 15th century. But initially it was used for the queen’s wedding dress, and not for window decoration. And now, if “What fabric is suitable for curtains?”, tulle will certainly be one of the most common answers.

Cotton curtains

Cotton material differs from most analogues in its high strength and environmental friendliness. They can be plain or with a pattern applied to the surface by printing or painting. Despite its widespread use, cotton has a number of disadvantages, namely fading and loss of color over time. It is not recommended to use cotton curtains on windows on the west and south sides of the house in strong sunlight, because the material, despite its strength and wear resistance, is weak to UV rays. With prolonged contact with sunlight, the area exposed to ultraviolet radiation begins to fade.

It is possible to avoid this drawback by making a special lining, which will not only protect the material from fading, but also serve as an additional layer between the sun’s UV rays and the room. Loss of color over time can be prevented if you use delicate laundry with appropriate powders and conditioners. The delicate washing mode implies not only cool water, but also a minimum speed, so as not to damage the fabric during the washing process.

Helpful advice! When hanging on a line to dry, cotton curtains should be straightened to reduce ironing problems. It is best to iron small folds of wrinkled fabric using the steam mode.

A little history

It so happened historically that almost every country initially had its own window design style and, accordingly, its own type of curtains, and blackout curtains are no exception. It is believed that they first appeared in Finland - the “Land of White Nights”, known for its long, bright nights, during which it is quite problematic to fall asleep without special light protection on the windows. Before the invention of blackout curtains that kept light out, Finns had to resort to all sorts of tricks to get a good night's sleep, such as covering their windows with shutters.

According to another version, blackout curtains first appeared during the Second World War, when civilians, trying to protect their homes from night air attacks, not only covered the windows with shutters, but also covered them with thick black fabric, thus creating something like curtains blocking light. Thanks to this, they got the opportunity not to sit all evenings and nights in the dark, and the light from the windows did not leak out and the enemy pilots did not see a suitable target and flew past.

Today this unique fabric is produced by the largest textile enterprises in many countries. The most famous of them in Finland is the Almedahl company, in Germany - Junkers & Mullers GmbH, in Belgium - Calcutta, in Holland - Coulisse.

Linen curtains

Unlike cotton, linen is a stiffer material, due to which the chance of tearing the fabric is zero. Thick linen curtains are perfect for the reception room, guest room, children's room and master bedroom. Despite the increased level of strength and wear resistance, linen curtains wrinkle more than cotton curtains. Therefore, when ironing the material, you should choose a mode with steam humidification, which will allow thick curtains that do not let in light to be brought into proper shape in a short time.

Helpful advice! Linen curtains should be washed at a minimum degree - no more than 30 o C.

How to care for blackout roller blinds

To preserve and increase the service life of blackout roller blinds, you should follow several rules when caring:

• due to the contact of the blinds with the windows, it is necessary to keep the glass clean, periodically removing settling dust;
• light-proof curtains should be protected from overheating and dampness, preventing the formation of dirt;
• despite the fact that the fabric does not wrinkle, creases when tucking should be avoided, preventing damage to the mechanism;
• before washing window glass, you need to roll up the roll, lift the curtains and hide them in a protective box (for closed blinds);
• Regular ventilation through natural ventilation will rid the roller shutters of foreign odors;
• Preventive maintenance of the mechanism consists of periodic lubrication.

The fabric base of blackout curtains is easy to care for. The following measures will allow you to preserve the original appearance of opaque curtains with a sun protection effect for a long time:

• regular washing in a delicate cycle in an automatic machine at a temperature not exceeding 40°C;
• maximum automatic spin speed – 400;
• it is not necessary to wring out the fabric, since synthetics dry quickly;
• due to the increased density, blackout fabric does not need ironing, leveling out when drying;
• In some cases, it is possible to iron the material of roller blinds.

It is recommended to dry the textile base of light-proof blinds in a shaded room with good ventilation. Before drying, the synthetic fabric is carefully leveled and hung with the front side inward.

Types of curtains that do not allow light to pass through

Often there is a need to significantly reduce the sunlight emanating from a window or even block it completely. There are a variety of reasons for this:

- sun glare reflected on the TV or computer screen

- white nights make it difficult to sleep

— advertising structures or bright lanterns shine directly into your window at night

— you made a home theater at home using a projector and want to watch movies during the day

To solve this problem, the market offers three types of curtains: blackout, dimout and simply thick curtains.

Blackout curtains block out almost 100% of light. These curtains are ideal for home cinema, with their help you can enjoy movies even on a sunny day. If you want curtains to protect against light pollution at night (prevents you from falling asleep), then it’s better to take a closer look at other options, since such thick curtains, although they will help you sleep, will make it very difficult for you to wake up in the morning (read about the circadian rhythm).

Dimout curtains block about 80% of the light and are good for protecting against bright lights or sun glare on the screen. Such fabric is cheaper than blackout, and often unscrupulous sellers sell just such fabrics under the guise of blackout. It’s very easy to check that you’re not being deceived: turn on the flashlight on your phone and hold it against the fabric; if the light is dim but visible, then it’s a dimout. Dimout curtains are an ideal option for the bedroom.

Thick curtains are not able to protect against bright light; they are designed to muffle it and decorate the room. Therefore, they are best suited for the living room (unless, of course, you have installed a home theater in it).

Source

How much does a blackout cost?

The price range for this material is very wide - from 150 to 1000 rubles per linear meter in bulk. Plain fabric is cheaper, matting, linen-like, with a jacquard pattern or decorated with a pattern is more expensive. It should be noted that almost all fabric sold in Russia is imported mainly from China. Less often - from Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands.

The production of high-quality blackout in Russia is just getting started - as in some other countries, for example, in the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, you can be sure that the production of this material in our country with its huge market has serious prospects.

Why do you need protection from light?

Light-blocking curtains can be useful in the following cases.

If the bedroom windows face east, and the morning sun wakes up the owners of the house long before the alarm clock. If you live in northern latitudes, and a day that lasts six months does not allow you to get enough sleep. In conference rooms and business centers, where presentations are accompanied by slides or films. In schools, colleges and universities, if educational films are shown during a lesson or lecture. In medical institutions where complete darkness is required to make a diagnosis. In nightclubs and cinemas. In photo laboratories, so as not to expose the film or print high-quality photographs.

Where are solar roller blinds used?

Windows facing the sunny side prevent a peaceful rest. On a clear day, the sun's rays irritate the eyes with bright light. For such rooms, the best option is to use blackout roller blinds instead of linen curtains. At night they protect from street lighting, lanterns and floodlights.

Roller blinds are often used in schools and public institutions.

Lightproof blinds are installed in residential premises and public places.

Opaque curtains have become widespread:

1. In preschool children's institutions. Darkened bedrooms improve the quality of children's daytime sleep. The hypoallergenic properties of the material make it possible to install roller shutters in nurseries.
2. In cinemas and schools. Darkness is required to display educational materials and films.
3. In greenhouses and darkrooms. Roller blinds act as a light filter.

As standard blinds, blackout systems are installed on the windows of kitchens and living rooms, offices and bedrooms, restaurants and cafes, libraries and shops, clubs and casinos.

Requirements for thick curtains that do not allow light to pass through

All curtains perform three main tasks:

Protect from light; Eliminate visibility from the street; Decorate the premises.

In addition, curtains can relieve the room from drafts and protect from city noise.

There are also additional requirements for curtains in different rooms.

In the dining room or kitchen, products should not absorb odors, and caring for them should not be difficult. Ideal curtains are easy to wash and have the ability to adjust the height. The best colors that increase appetite are beige, apricot, with orange-red details. Night curtains for the living room are chosen taking into account the wishes of all household members. As a rule, the consensus is products in muted tones that bring a calm atmosphere to the home. Bright drawings and prints are appropriate in the nursery. Non-marking curtains should be firmly secured to the eaves. Preference should be given to lightweight natural fabrics that do not collect dust. In the bedroom, more than in any other room, you should think about light protection. The vital hormone melatonin, which is responsible for sleep and wakefulness, can only be produced in the dark. From the color scheme, it is better to give preference to calm, warm tones.

Criterias of choice

When purchasing opaque curtains, be guided by the following characteristics:

1. The design is selected in accordance with its purpose. For complete darkness, cassette roller blinds with wide guides are suitable. For partial darkening, you can buy mini blinds that absorb up to 95% of sunlight.
2. The material must have dust- and moisture-repellent properties. It is recommended to choose PVC fabric with a specific coating.
3. The color palette is selected in accordance with the design of the room. The color scheme must fit organically into the overall composition.

The color and pattern of the fabric for roller blinds is selected taking into account the interior of the room.

Blackout roller blinds with a pattern or original ornament on the front side serve as an additional decoration for the room. A non-standard solution is a special print with a photo on the canvas. The image must match the design of the room. Zoological or fairy-tale motifs with pictures of exotic animals or favorite characters are recognized as the best option when decorating window openings in children's bedrooms.

Light-blocking fabrics

Depending on the purpose of the room, it is recommended to sew light-protective curtains for windows from the following fabrics.

Living room

Velvet. Ceremonial, regal material with short and very dense pile on the front surface. Produced from cotton, silk threads and viscose. Creates an interesting play of light and shadow, changing its appearance depending on the viewing angle. Requires careful cutting: in all parts the pile is placed in the same direction. Perfectly protects the room from drafts and sunlight. Corduroy is a soft and dense material with large or small rib. Draps well and can withstand complex cuts.

Dense silk is one of the most durable natural fabrics, almost does not wrinkle, and forms beautiful folds. The lining adds additional volume and light protection. Tapestry is a fabric produced by decorative weaving that contains patterns or ornaments. Good for heavy curtains or woven blinds. Reliably darkens the room. Wool, a material obtained from sheep yarn, is rarely found in interiors. Protects not only from light and drafts, but also from street noise.

Moire is a dense fabric with a spectacular, iridescent sheen. It makes original blinds. Brocade is a heavy silk-based material. It uses metal threads to create designs. The pattern resembles luxurious embroidery. Brocade makes magnificent floor-length curtains with numerous folds and flounces. Scraps of thread may protrude on the wrong side, so it is recommended to provide the product with a lining. Damask (damask) is a dense silk fabric of jacquard weave with the inclusion of wool or cotton threads. Forms matte and shiny patterns. Good for blinds and drapes.

Satin - obtained by special weaving of twisted fibers. The composition may contain silk mixed with cotton or linen. The material has a spectacularly shiny front surface and a matte back. Draps wonderfully and protects well from light. Taffeta is a shiny fabric made from acetate and silk. It is somewhat rigid, but retains its shape well. Taffeta makes lush and luxurious curtains. Blackout is a synthetic fabric consisting of polyester fibers. A recognized leader among fabrics that do not transmit light. Provides almost 100% light protection. It is processed with two or three layers of acrylic foam and is fire resistant. Three-layer fabrics are used to make roller blinds, two-layer fabrics are used for lining.

Kitchen, dining room

Canvas is a material with a rough texture for special, brutal dining room interiors. It is durable and cheap. Good for curtains and blinds. Cotton with special water- and grease-repellent treatment. Natural material, unfortunately, quickly fades in the sun. High density linen. The material is characterized by increased rigidity and holds ironed folds well. Eco-friendly, extremely durable and wear-resistant fabric. May fade in the sun. It wrinkles quickly, but can also be smoothed out well with a hot iron. Synthetic fabrics based on polyester and acetate. Elastic, water and fire resistant, characterized by high strength and durability. Artificial fabrics are made of viscose. The products are pleasant to the touch, soft, and breathable.

Bedroom

Cotton – printed or plain-dyed. Light transmission is reduced by thick lining. Not recommended for use on south and south-west windows. Prolonged exposure to the sun causes the material to fade. Thick silk. Synthetic and artificial fabrics. Blackout.

The light transmittance of curtains is calculated as a percentage. What does it mean, for example, that blackout curtains provide 100% blackout, and dim-out curtains block sunlight from 80%.

Children's

Cotton with a bright print, lined. Synthetic fabrics. Viscose.

Light-diffusing and reflective fabric: what's the difference?

Curtain materials with low light transmittance are divided into two types:

• light scattering;
• reflective.

The principle of operation of these materials is fundamentally different, and they are used in different conditions. Let's look at how these types of curtains work and which one should be purchased in which situation.

Light-diffusing fabric

Light-diffusing textiles are widely used in the manufacture of advertising signs. It is called backlit. This is due to the design features of the fabric - literally backlit means “lined at the back”. The material has a special polymer coating located on its back side.

The principle of operation of the material is light scattering. In practice, this means that the curtain does not block it completely. But thanks to the layer made of polymer, it dissipates it as much as possible and breaks it down. Thanks to this, light practically does not penetrate into the room.

Of course, in bright light from the street it will be noticeable that the window is glowing. However, this will not cause any discomfort. However, light-diffusing curtain materials are recommended for use in cases where there are no street lights, bright signs, or other sources of bright light nearby.

Most often, light-diffusing material is used in the manufacture of roller blinds. This is also due to its characteristics - it is quite dense, so it is difficult to make traditional curtains or Roman blinds from it.

Reflective fabric

Reflective fabric does not scatter light rays, but reflects them. The clearest example of this approach is blackout. This material has a special polymer coating on the front side. It reflects up to 90% - 95% of light. Thanks to this, when the curtains are drawn, the room can be completely dark. There are also cheaper, but less effective options (for example, dimout).

Reflective curtains can be divided into two large groups:

• double-layer – on the front side of the curtain there is a layer of polymer coating that reflects light;
• woven - polymer reflective threads are woven into textiles (usually there is 1 reflective thread for 2 regular threads).

These curtains are suitable for windows next to which there are bright light sources that disturb you at night (for example, neon signs).

What is the difference?

The difference between light-diffusing and reflective curtains is that:

• the former evenly distribute light over their surface, thereby making it less intense;
• the latter reflect light and do not let it into the room at all.

In practice, this means that backlit curtains do not provide complete darkness in the room. With their help you can achieve twilight. However, for most people it will be quite comfortable. Blackout and their analogues, on the contrary, guarantee complete (or almost complete) darkness in the room.

Types of blackout curtains

Both classic and modern types of curtains cope with the task of providing light protection.

Classic. Products with vertical folds. The most popular curtains. They can be secured with loops or fabric ties. They can be put on the cornice rod, attached to the latter using a lambrequin frill or plastic (metal) grommet rings. Roman or Romanesque. The curtain fabric folds in steps, forming interesting waves on the folds. Rolled. The products are wound on a fixed shaft. A special system allows you to open the window to the desired height and regulate the incoming light flow. Roller blinds are often opened electrically. Austrian (scalloped) - form horizontal folds. They are lifted using cords secured from the inside. French. Looks better on large windows. They represent many narrow festoons assembled vertically. The canvas can be raised to the required height or lowered completely.

Japanese - smooth canvases with rigid inserts at the top and bottom of the products. They are mixed along the window along a special cornice. Move apart from the center or to one side. Blinds – effectively protect from light. Can be made of fabric or other materials. In home interiors, vertical structures are more common than horizontal ones.

Designs of blackout roller blinds

Blackout blinds are installed on any type of window sashes. Vertical guides prevent sun shades from sagging and prevent sun rays from penetrating the sides.

One of the elements of roller blinds is the shaft on which the upper part of the curtain is fixed. Wrapping fabric around it opens up light. When unwinding, the room is darkened.

Design diagram of open roller blinds.

The design features of blackout blinds formed the basis for the division into 2 categories:

1. Open. The fabric roll is not hidden under a special casing. Opaque curtains of this type are in demand due to their low price and simplified installation procedure.
2. Closed. The canvas is masked with a protective plastic box. The design solution and color scheme are selected in accordance with the design of the room.

Roller blinds of the second category are more difficult to install. The demand is explained by the organic combination with decorative elements.

Manufacturers

Light-protective curtains are produced by domestic and foreign companies.

Master (Russia) produces light-protective roller blinds from fabric canvas and blackout. Photo printing techniques are widely used. Lifting mechanisms made in Holland. The electric drive is equipped with a remote control. Velux (Denmark) specializes in the production of skylights and Siesta blackout curtains. Canvases can be used not only in attics, but also in ordinary bedrooms, living rooms or children's rooms. "Siesta" darkens the room 100%. The company's assortment includes 40 colors of this model. The light-proof curtain for the window is made of polyester. It is dirt resistant and easy to maintain. The aluminum coating on the back of the model provides good thermal protection. The simple design can be installed in a few minutes (Pick&Click system).

Roto (Germany) produces RotoStandart roller blinds with an aluminum layer that reflects heat and light. The products are mounted on the frame without a gap, which enhances the light-protective properties of the models. The curtains rise smoothly and are fixed in three positions. The canvas is impregnated with a substance that provides resistance to light and ease of maintenance. RotoStandart is made from 3 materials, in 37 different colors. The Turkish company Apolena produces light-protective curtains for the living room and bedroom. The collection includes plain products and models with patterns of rich colors, made of 100% polyester.

Light-protective curtains calm you down and give you a long, sound sleep. They create a romantic atmosphere and prevent glare from TVs and monitors. This is the textile item that takes care of our well-being and comfort.

Photo gallery

Roman blackout blinds

Printed blackout

Roman blackout

To the children's room

3D photo printing

Lightproof curtain fabric

Classic

Roller blinds blackout

Pleated

Sun Shade Manufacturing Techniques

There are two technologies for making such curtains:

• a thin white fabric is applied to the dense material, which, in essence, is a light reflector, and on the opposite side the material is decorated with a pattern or texture that imitates other fabrics;
• The fabric is made using the technique of weaving three threads of different structure. On the inside, black dense fibers are used, which will reflect light, and on the front and back - colored ones, which serve for decoration.

It should be noted that curtains made using the first technology can have bright, rich shades, but there is also a drawback - the white coating quickly wears out and the curtain loses its sun-reflecting properties. Curtains made using the second technology are more durable, but their range is made in dull colors, and in light materials the interweaving of black fibers is visible, which gives them a grayish tint.

Blackout curtains compared