12th Nov 2021

How Do Blackout Curtains Work?

How Do Blackout Curtains Work?

If you don’t have blackout curtains in your home, you’re really missing out. They’re super convenient and they look really good. What more could you ask for from curtains?

What should you expect from a high-quality set of blackout curtains? The answer is pretty simple. Convenience, softness, trendy designs, durability and they should also allow you to block out any unwanted light more efficiently than any other curtain option. Oh, and not to mention they’ll stand the test of time.

High-Quality Set of Blackout Curtains

Because they can block out light incredibly well, they’re ideal for bedrooms - especially if you work night shifts. Or, if you just need to ensure you have a little additional privacy in your bedroom occasionally, these will do just the trick for that also.

They are also commonly featured in other rooms, such as living rooms. That’s not overly surprising, because let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite as infuriating as when you’re all snuggled up on the sofa watching your favourite movie - with a television screen that you can barely see because of the light glare.

In fact, the only room we think wouldn’t suit a set of blackout curtains is a bathroom. That would look a little odd, don’t you think? You do you though. We’ve seen weirder design choices.

So, are you ready to learn more about all things blackout curtains? We can’t guarantee you’ll leave this article being a connoisseur of blackout curtains, but we do promise to make it as interesting as humanly possible. Or we’ll try anyway! Read on to discover more on blackout curtains…

Blackout Curtains overview

We’re just going to come out and say it. First of all, whatever you do, don’t invest in poorly made blackout curtains.

As tempting as it can be, we promise that you’ll just end up replacing them prematurely. You have to make sure they’re high quality (we have the best quality ever, just saying) so that they don’t just look amazing, but also have all the practical qualities that come with this style of curtain.

And they’ll look worn and tired much quicker because they aren’t equipped to cope with regular exposure to UV rays. Do you want tired and old-looking curtains? No, we think not. Just trust us on this one.

Anyway, now we’ve got that out of the way, blackout curtains essentially allow you to control the darkness in your home. And not all blackout curtains are made the same, there are actually a few types. So it’s just a matter of determining what type works best for you.

Interior design gurus, listen up!

Woven blackout curtains

One type of blackout curtain, of course, is the classic woven. What that means is that the fabric has been woven with a blackout thread to dim out the light - but they tend to be unlined.

We won’t lie, the lighter fabric colours won’t be quite as effective on this kind of blackout, but the fabric has the softest of handles and my goodness, it drapes just beautifully.

Berlin Pencil Pleat Curtains

Berlin Pencil Pleat Curtains - shop now. Coated blackout curtains

Another type of blackout is coated, although it isn’t particularly unusual for people to refer to them as two-pass or three-pass. All this essentially means is how many layers of coating the fabric has, and again, this style of blackout curtain will most likely be unlined.

Coated blackout curtains tend to offer much better stability, and may feel slightly stiff to the touch. But a major bonus to coated blackout curtains - the eyelet folds stay perfectly in place, and they do a superb job of ensuring heat doesn’t escape! Nothing gets past coated blackout curtains. Unless you draw them open!

Bonded Blackout Curtains

If you’re looking for an alternative, keep an eye out for bonded blackout curtains. This essentially means that the lining of the blackout curtain has adhered to the face fabric.

Bonded blackout curtains are very effective and you’ll still be able to create perfect pleats or eyelet folds, thanks to the extra stability.

It’s worth noting that an alternative to what’s being mentioned above could be to just line the curtains with a separate blackout lining. This will ensure that you achieve total blackout, and there’s no need to compromise on factors such as colour, design, or drape!

Hugo Woven Blackout Eyelet Curtains

Hugo Woven Blackout Eyelet Curtains - shop now. 

Benefits of blackout curtains

Blackout curtains are such a convenient addition to a bedroom for a multitude of reasons. Whether you adore a good lie-in after a hectic week, or you work night shifts regularly - they’ll ensure that you get all the sleep you desire.

There are other advantages to having blackout curtains in your home that you may not have thought about - one being to help with stabilising temperature. Handy, right?

How do they do this you ask? Well, blackout curtains actually act as a direct block between natural light and the inside of your home, which helps to regulate the overall internal temperature. And the great thing is, it’s not an exclusive perk to any particular season!

They can stop you from becoming hot and flustered in the summertime and also keep you warm and cosy in the winter, as they act as an insulating barrier. Very cool (pun intended) if we do say so ourselves.

Do you live on a particularly busy street? If so, you’ll love this. Blackout curtains can also provide an extra barrier to help with pesky noise pollution.

They aren’t entirely magic, so we wouldn’t want you to expect a completely soundproof room, however, you’ll definitely notice that they significantly help to minimise any unwanted noise from the outside world nicely.

Warrington Faux Wool Lined Blackout Eyelet Curtains

Warrington Faux Wool Lined Blackout Eyelet Curtains - shop now. 

Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient. Yep. A fantastic, yet commonly overlooked benefit of using blackout curtains. They are a brilliant way to help you save energy, without having to lift a finger!

Even if you’ve had double glazing fitted, heat will still escape through your windows. It’s just one of those things and this is especially true if your windows are several years old.

This happens due to the gases that act as a thermal insulator between panes in double glazing breaking down over time, allowing heat to escape from your home. If you’re experiencing a reduction in efficiency, a good set of blackout curtains can limit thermal loss by as much as 25%.

So, basically what we’re saying is - if you’re thinking about purchasing blackout curtains for your home, you’ve pretty much secured yourself a lower heating bill over time. Win-win!

Emily Velour Interlined & Blackout Eyelet Curtains

Emily Velour Interlined & Blackout Eyelet Curtains - shop now. 

Curtains vs liners

This kind of goes without saying, but similar to all curtains, blackout curtains come in different styles to suit individual preferences.

Some people will prefer to hang blackout linings behind curtains because this way they can maintain the design decor they want whilst reaping the benefits of blackout curtain insulation. Others will prefer to purchase blackout curtains that already have the design and aesthetic they desire, which are also perfectly efficient all on their own.

If you really want to get your money’s worth out of blackout curtains, make sure the length can comfortably cover the entire window.

That means allowing a slight overlap onto the wall - on both sides. This will ensure that no unwanted light whatsoever is coming into that room.

Dotty Woven Blackout Eyelet Curtains

Dotty Woven Blackout Eyelet Curtains - shop now. 

Are blackout curtains good for you?

It may not have crossed your mind that curtains could be good for your health. Why would they? But they actually can be, and especially blackout curtains. We know it may sound peculiar, but let us explain.

We’ve already covered that the right set of blackout curtains can bring an essence of luxury to a room, as thick and heavy curtains can be the icing on the cake to your overall decor. You’ll be posting pictures of your #interiordesigngoals on Pinterest in no time.

But aside from the aesthetic perspective, although having a set of blackout curtains is also super handy in a practical sense for most homes - they can be a literal lifeline for others. Yes, we’re being dramatic, but you know what we mean.

Palos Blackout POM POM Eyelet Curtains

Palos Blackout Pom Pom Eyelet Curtains - shop now. 

For example, If you’re someone who struggles to stay in a deep sleep and can be woken easily, and because of this you often find yourself doing the weekly grocery shop at 1 am at a 24 hour Asda (weirdly specific, we know), blackout curtains could really do just the trick to help keep you in bed.

Whatever your reason for a restless night’s sleep is, our bodies and our minds are still naturally inclined to be in a more restful state when it’s dark. This is why we need to get enough sleep, as this factor directly impacts our overall health and mental wellness. Which as you’ll know, is very important!

If you don’t struggle with questionable sleeping habits, but you regularly clock in for night shifts - using blackout curtains could be a game-changer. No more feeling as though you’re running on fumes! Blackout curtains are known to be a highly effective tool in this scenario, used to trick your body into thinking it’s nighttime.

It goes without saying that maintaining a regular sleep schedule is a must. So if you’re a fan of blackout curtains, remember to set an alarm. We naturally rise with the sun, and if this is blocked out - an unwanted lie-in could occur. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Why not check out our full selection of blackout curtains. With a huge selection of different colours, styles, patterns and sizes available, a better nights sleep is just a click away. 

Explore our beautiful range of blackout curtains here

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