What are Blackout Curtains? Complete Guide
What are Blackout Curtains?
Blackout curtains are curtains that have been manufactured from a dense material, which allows them to block out almost all of the light. They can often be found in a variety of different colors and patterns to complement the décor of any bedroom and are frequently used in porch enclosure systems. Affordable blackout curtains are available online.
Blackout Curtains will help you sleep better at night by blocking out all distracting lights from street lamps or headlights shining through your bedroom window. Designed to keep dark in, they will also help to keep in any heat as well as keeping cold drafts out during those long winter nights! Perfect for those who struggle sleeping with natural light, may it be from rising or setting suns or those pesky street lights that shine into our bedrooms!
Types of Blackout Curtains
Our usual lighting at home during the night is not that bright enough to keep us from sleeping. So, some people often use blackout curtains to make it dark inside their house or room for a good sleep. But what type of blackout curtains will actually be helpful? Here are some recommended types of blackout curtains you might want to know.
1) Blackout roller blinds
The first type is the blackout roller blinds which can come in all kinds of colors and designs. They don’t need any extra parts and are easy to install and remove. The next type we have here is the standard black-out curtain that comes with Velcro on the top part so they can attach perfectly when needed. Thirdly, we have your regular back-out curtains with poles on the 2 sides so you can open and close them as needed. And lastly, we have your standard blackout curtain that is used as a room divider as well as a window cover.
2) Double layered curtains
Double layered blackout curtains are those types that have a dark-out covering from one side and then another layer of sheer material on the other side. This type of blackout curtain comes with double layers but can allow some sunlight to come through during the daytime. So if there’s a lot of sunlight entering your place during the day, this type might not be recommended for you unless you combine it with some other type of black-out curtain mentioned above.
3) Room Darkening Blackout Drapes
Room darkening blackout drapes are the types that you would like to use during wintertime because they do not let any sunlight come through even if it’s just a little. This type of blackout curtain is perfect to keep you warm during wintertime. You can get this room darkening blackout drapes in many colors and sizes so you don’t have to worry about that.
4) Blackout Roman Shades
Lastly, we have your regular blackout roman shades. They may not be the usual type of blackout curtains but they’ve been used for so long already so why don’t we consider this one too? These black-out roman shades are great when paired with your usual curtain or blinds. It doesn’t need much space to install so you can put them anywhere you like.
Blackout Made Of
Blackout Curtains are made from many different materials, this helps to determine what they are best used for.
Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen tend to be lightweight, therefore they are often used in warmer climates or during the summer months. They will do a great job of keeping the cold out during winter but may not provide enough insulation throughout hotter months.
1. Natural Fabrics – Cotton, Linen
Material that is densely woven together with microfibers or silk will offer a higher level of insulation. They block out many more lights and also absorb some sound which makes them perfect choices for those who live in noisy areas, have children who constantly wake up early, or need help sleeping through loud sounds from the rain, wind, or traffic.
2. Dense Material – Polyester Velvet
For those living in hotter climates or during the summer months, you will want to choose a fabric that blocks out heat as well as light. A lightweight cotton/polyester blend is ideal, it will keep the heat out but also will allow enough cool air during the night so you aren’t sweating all night long!
Fabric made from 100% microfibers is great for regulating your home’s temperature because they are able to let warm air escape during winter and block unwanted hot air entering your house throughout the summer months. They are also very physical-durable which makes them perfect for heavy that may require machine washing every now and again.
3. Lightweight Fabric – Cotton/Polyester
If you are looking for a blackout curtain to help reduce outside noise entering your house then you want a fabric that is densely woven together with cotton or silk. The more dense the weave, the less likely it will be to let sound in!
The thicker the curtain is, the better protection against external noise you will have. This also means that it will be heavier than other fabrics so not suited for those who plan on hanging them using hooks only as they may be too heavy! Some curtains come with special features such as grommets or weighted bottoms which makes installation much easier.
10 Benefits Of Blackout Curtains
1. Helps to Improve Sleep Quality
When you’re in a dark room it will help signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep, which will help you feel sleepy and encourage longer periods of sleep. In the morning, the room should be much easier for you to wake up in as there won’t be that bright sunlight flooding into your bedroom waking you up before you’ve had enough sleep!
2. Keeps Your Room Warmer
On cold winter nights, these make great insulators keeping all of the heat inside your home and out of those draughty windows! They can also come with a thermal backing making them even better at keeping warm air indoors. This means during the summer months they will help keep those cooler breezes from getting into your room as well as keeping those pesky insects out!
3. Prevents Expensive Heating Bills
In winter, if you have a particularly bright window this will cause a lot of heat to be lost before it even gets into your home. Blackout curtains can help prevent this issue and therefore reduce the amount of energy needed to keep your whole house heated. This is great for those who live in older houses where they may not be able to afford double glazing or other insulating materials that would cut down on heat loss through their windows.
4. Adds Privacy To Your Home
Prevents nosy neighbors from seeing inside your bedroom, which means no more early morning wake-up calls or Sunday afternoon gossip sessions!
5. Protects Your Valuables From Theft
Keeps valuables such as laptops and jewelry safe from prying eyes when placed under your pillow, on your bedside table, etc while you are out of the house. However, if you have particularly valuable items it might be best to keep them out of sight while not in use so no one else knows they are there!
6. Protects Your Furniture From Sun Damage
Another great benefit of blackout curtains is the protection it gives to upholstery and other furniture in your bedroom. If you have a particularly bright window this can cause fading or color loss in your furniture over time. So blackout curtains are an easy way to prevent this from happening!
7. They Look Great
Blackout Curtains come in just about any style these days. Whether you’re looking for something traditional, classic, or modern they’ve got them all covered! You can even get them customized to suit your unique tastes and personality. If that’s what you want!
8. Will Save Money On Airline Tickets
Didn’t sleep well on your last flight? That could have been because of the bright lights inside the airplane. This would mean blacking out your room with curtains will help you sleep much better next time.
9. Helps To Maintain Your Privacy
Helps to maintain your privacy whether it be. When you’re getting dressed in the morning or while you’re enjoying some quality “me” time! No more need to worry about where to stand in front of your window. When you’re half-naked
10. Prevents Insects From Getting In
Shields against insects that are pesky enough during waking hours without them coming into our rooms at night
Conclusion of Blackout Curtains Benefits
Blackout curtains are a great way to improve your life both inside and outside of the home. Making them well worth investing in if you can. As you can see there are so many benefits to owning blackout curtains. That it really is a no-brainer for most people who need help sleeping!