A Guide to Blackout Curtains

The idea behind blackout curtains is that they prevent light from penetrating the room. They are usually hung behind regular fabric curtains and can be drawn at night so that no light enters the room in the morning. During the day, they can be open from behind your regular fabric curtain so that you still have privacy but light does enter the room. Although blackout window curtains are heavier then your average drapery they are soft enough to hang naturally. Moreover, these curtains are favored because they also insulate against extreme cold and heat which will go a long way in reducing your energy bills.

You will probably find blackout window curtains very useful if you have infants that you don't want to wake up at the break of dawn, or if you are a night shift worker or student who pulls late night study sessions and wants to sleep late in the morning. Hotels use these curtains to blackout early morning light in the guest rooms so that guests are not be woken early.

Blackout curtain liners block light because they are generally made out of a heavy and tightly woven fabric. Most brands claim that their curtain will block out as much as 99 percent of daylight. You can generally find blackout window curtains in a variety of colors despite the name they are given which conjures up the image that they only come in black.

Large windows that let in a lot of light are often the type of window that consumers tend to buy blackout curtain liners for. If you have smaller windows, blackout shades and blinds work well. Generally speaking, blackout shades work almost as well as a blackout curtain. However, they aren't as good at insulating and therefore blackout curtain liners have a more beneficial effect on your utility bills.

One thing to keep in mind is that the curtain fabric must be hung properly so that it doesn't leave gaps at the top or bottom for light to penetrate. You can make sure that the curtain completely covers the window by purchasing a curtain rod that allows enough space for the curtains to cover the entire window.

In summary, blackout curtains have many benefits. They are perfect for nurseries and bedrooms. Blackout curtains block light when needed and insulate your home which will save you money.