Blackout: features
Many users wonder what blackout fabric is for curtains and what it is?
The primary function of such curtains is complete protection from sunlight and maximum darkening of the room. This fabric is made using a weave of satin, satin and viscose threads, having three layers.
The fabric has the following characteristics:
- Strength;
- Density;
- Lightproof.
Rules of care
Read about: Victorian-style curtains: types of materials and decors.
Blackout is considered not a picky fabric. Caring for her will not be difficult. It comes down to washing the product several times a year and ironing as needed. Due to its characteristics, the fabric perfectly repels dust, so it does not need frequent washing.
- The products should be washed at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees, since they are based on synthetic fiber. It is better not to machine spin curtains. The maximum permissible speed is 400. However, even without these manipulations, things dry out quite quickly.
- Blackout curtains practically do not wrinkle, but if ironing becomes necessary, it is better to do it with a warm iron. This will not damage the fiber or destroy the bonds between the layers.
- It is better to dry in natural conditions without exposure to direct sunlight.
Curtains made of blackout fabric are an excellent solution for interior decoration. It not only looks aesthetically pleasing, but also has a number of useful characteristics that residents of northern latitudes will especially appreciate. The material does not transmit light 100%, which allows you to not depend on the time of sunrise and the presence of white nights. Now you know how to choose blackout curtains, and you can fully relax during the night and gain strength for a new day.
Layers of blackout fabric
As mentioned above, this fabric consists of three layers. The outer layer of the curtains, which faces the sun, is white.
Thanks to the middle layer, the curtain is thicker, and the inner layer determines the appearance of the curtain. Curtains are also made when black threads are used instead of white ones.
Composition, structure, production
This fabric consists of a textile base, for the production of which natural and artificial materials (linen, cotton, silk, viscose), special chemical components and acrylic foam are used.
To impart fire-resistant qualities to the material, most manufacturers use special impregnation. The smooth and loose fabric has several thin layers made using a special fiber weaving technique.
During the production process, each layer is made separately, after which the blanks are joined in such a way as to form a dense fabric. When manufacturing this material, the following points are taken into account:
- The outer (front) layer, which performs a decorative function, must be pleasant to the touch, attractive, wear-resistant and dirt-resistant.
- The inner layer must fulfill the task that is assigned to the blackout, i.e., not allow light to pass through. Black polyester fiber is used as raw material for its production.
- The back layer in contact with light should be painted in light colors.
- To increase light resistance, acrylic foam is applied to the layers of the canvas.
- At the final stage of production, the fabric is dyed, patterns or designs are applied to its surface, if necessary, and it is impregnated with special solutions to give it fire-resistant properties, dirt and dust resistance.
Pros of blackout curtains
Before ordering blackout curtains, you need to familiarize yourself with the advantages of this unique product.
- Blackout prevents sunlight from entering the room.
- They are excellent protection against unnecessary sounds.
- The fabric is fireproof.
- It has a long service life.
- Blackout curtains do not need to be ironed.
Free-hanging
Free-hanging
Blackout roller blinds for plastic windows from free-hanging systems can only be Mini; you can learn more about this system by clicking on the link. “Minka” can also be installed on the wall, covering the entire opening, or in the opening. Provided that the product is not too large, about 1.5 meters wide. But here, of course, you also need to look at the fabric, what material it is made of and what height the product will be. There may simply be a situation that the product is quite high, or the fabric is too heavy, and the shaft on which the fabric is wound may bend in this case, and the side brackets may also not be able to withstand it. The shaft diameter of the mini blackout roller blind system = 18 mm.
If the product is wide enough, then the Maxi system is used. Here you can already close fairly large openings up to 6 meters wide. And the dimensions will depend only on the length of the roll of blackout fabric. The maximum roll length I have ever seen is 4 meters. But these are very rare fabrics. Basically it is 3 - 3.5 meters. If you want to learn more about free-hanging systems, click for more details...
- Cassette
Stylistic execution
Blackout curtains are very popular, which is why they come in a variety of styles. You can choose the right option for any interior, as the choice is incredibly large.
- Classic is the most common option.
- Roller blinds are also very convenient and common to use.
- Japanese style curtains look best in large rooms with suitable interior design.
- Roman blackout blinds do not collect dust and are very easy to use.
Advantages and disadvantages
The undoubted advantages are:
- Protecting privacy from prying eyes;
- The fabric does not transmit sunlight 100%, this is especially true for northern latitudes;
- Such curtains are durable: they will not fade in the sun and will not “wash out”;
- The products do not require careful care. Thanks to their rich composition, they repel dust and dirt, so they only need to be washed a couple of times a year;
- Practicality and wear resistance. The fabric is very durable. It is slightly subjected to mechanical stress. Even after numerous washes, the original characteristics will remain unchanged.
- Wide variety of colors and textures. You can choose an option similar to blinds or a standard canvas. This can be pleated, Roman blinds or blinds. Products with a smooth texture or linen are available for sale. The color scheme is also easy to match to any interior;
- Amenable to draping, while retaining the created shape well;
- Practically does not wrinkle and dries quickly;
- Wide range of uses.
- The main disadvantage is the high price. The cost depends on several factors, production costs also play an important role. Since creating three-layer fabric requires a lot of time and money, the cost of the finished product is much higher than standard fabric.
Blackout fabric colors
Such fabrics are created to suit every taste. They can be monochrome, glossy, matte, multi-color, as well as with various designs and photo printing.
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Of the two methods for making such curtains, most often they do not use spraying, but a base of three threads, which makes the curtains more durable and dense.
Why else do we need such material?
Why else would you need such fabric? The scope of application of blackout is not limited to the manufacture of curtains. This matter is also used for:
- upholstery of sofas, armchairs and chairs;
- sewing furniture covers and decorative pillows, capes and bedspreads;
- decoration of conference rooms, educational institutions, office premises, theaters, entertainment shows;
- decoration of residential premises (wall upholstery);
- darkening darkrooms.
How to choose a color?
How stylish the interior will be will depend on the color scheme. It is necessary to choose the right cold and warm tones.
If the windows face south, you can choose any cool shade, from blue to lavender flowers.
For the north side, it is better to use curtains in warm colors, which will add a special coziness to the room.
White blackout curtains look very beautiful and will fit perfectly into both the bedroom and the living room.
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Very often, pastel and beige shades are used to decorate windows, as they are universal. The same colors also include gray blackout curtains; they can be hung in any room.
Yellow colors look very bright and warm; they will perfectly decorate a child's room and add coziness to the kitchen.
Comfortable beauty
In catalogs of fabrics for roller blinds (blinds), almost every collection contains samples marked “blackout”. A large selection of textures and colors of opaque fabrics allows you to use roller blinds made from them on plastic windows both in specialized rooms where darkness is required, for example, in photo studios or laboratories, and in living rooms to ensure comfort during sleep, for example, in children's or bedrooms.
Opaque roller blinds are in great demand in restaurants, casinos, and cinemas. They are readily used in offices to decorate meeting rooms or rooms for video viewings and presentations.
Various types of curtains can be made from blackout fabric. But it is roller blinds that are indispensable for a plastic window. Of the variety of design solutions for opaque curtain models, only 2 options are acceptable.
The first, the so-called UNI mechanism, consists of guides fixed to the sash using special double-sided tape, and a drum located in the upper part of the sash, on which the fabric itself is wound.
The curtain is controlled using a spring or rope. The fabric rises and falls, sliding along the guides, which guarantees its tight fit to the glass over its entire area. This curtain reliably protects the glass from light penetration.
The second option is a rolled product not for a plastic window, but rather for a window opening. The drum of such a curtain acts as a cornice and is mounted on the wall above the opening like a traditional curtain. To prevent light from penetrating into the room, the canvas and the drum on which it is wound are made slightly wider than the window opening.
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Right choice
Various photos of blackout curtains can be viewed on the Internet, where you can choose the appropriate option.
Such curtains perfectly decorate the room, they are very convenient to use and quite practical. A large variety of colors makes it possible to choose the appropriate style for any room.
When choosing curtains for the living room, it is best to pay attention to more elegant fabric options that create a festive feeling. Curtains in soft colors are hung in the bedrooms; they should be in harmony with the interior.
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Cost of blackout curtains
When choosing curtains, you should pay attention to the cost, since good fabric has a fairly high price
When choosing, you need to inspect the fabric; inside it should be visible the inner black layer, which provides protection from sunlight.
It is best to buy such curtains from trusted manufacturers, and also do not forget to pay attention to consumer reviews.
Fabric classification
There are certain types of fabrics that are used to make blackout curtains. These include:
- Linen;
- Original;
- Straight;
- Flame retardant fabric;
Each of them has its own special properties and is selected for any interior, decorating the room and adding style, comfort and high cost to it.
Interesting Facts
The history of the origin of blackout fabric is controversial. It is believed that such curtains were sewn back during the Second World War, and it was they who saved houses from shelling, since lights were not visible through the thick fabric.
In any case, blackout curtains create the illusion of night. They allow you to get enough sleep on the weekend and not wake up from the bright sun that shines in your eyes. With the help of such curtains you can personally control the time of day, which is undoubtedly very convenient.
Care instructions
- The fabric should be washed in water with a temperature of up to 40 degrees; you can use an automatic washing machine, but use a low spin speed when spinning.
- Ideal smoothness can be achieved using an iron, but carefully monitor the temperature.
- It is best to dry the fabric in the shade.
