Not long ago, unusual curtains made of thick material appeared on the market. The curtains were called “blackout”, which translated from English means “darkening”.
Thanks to its light-proof properties, the new product is able to provide a comfortable temperature in the room when the heat outside is unbearable.
Introducing Blackout curtains
Blinds were invented in Finland, where white nights often occur. Thanks to the material that does not transmit light, blackout turned out to be a real salvation. With their help, the bedroom becomes as dark as night in a split second.
Full characteristics of an unusual curtain
Blackout is made of three layers of material with interwoven fibers made of satin, viscose, satin or other synthetic threads. The result is a very dense and durable fabric.
The outer layer, which is in front of the sun's rays, is made of white thread or another light shade. The structure of the middle layer determines the main characteristics of a thick curtain.
It is made of durable material impregnated with a special water-repellent liquid. Mainly black threads are used for making. The final layer has a decorative function. It can be plain or decorated with ornaments, drawings, and photo printing.
Advantages of blackout curtains
Thanks to the unique production technology, curtains have a whole list of advantages. The positive aspects are manifested not only in their functionality, but also in appearance.
Blackout has the following advantages:
- delays the penetration of sunlight by 90%;
- reduces noise and heat transfer from the street to the room;
- melts and does not burn under the influence of an open flame, without releasing harmful toxins;
- has high wear resistance and resistance to dirt;
- does not lose its original appearance from sunlight or after washing;
- drapes easily and keeps its shape;
- does not wrinkle, so does not require ironing;
- has an attractive and aesthetic appearance;
- does not cause allergic reactions.
Disadvantages of curtains
Despite the wide list of positive qualities, blackout curtains have several disadvantages. They are not related to the quality of the material or the service life of the product. Negative aspects of reflective curtains:
- Price. Such models, manufactured according to all the rules, do not have a cheap cost.
- Reflective ability. Not all curtains of this type are capable of reflecting light. Before purchasing, you should bring the sample to the sun or an artificial light source and check whether it copes well enough with its responsibility - not letting the sun's rays through.
- Color. In order to provide the fabric with reflective properties, its structure contains mainly threads of dark colors.
How are blackout curtains different from regular curtains?
The main feature that you need to pay attention to when purchasing is the ability to transmit sunlight. Curtains are necessary for those who work the second and third shifts and sleep in the daytime. Curtains are also placed on the sunny side of an apartment or house when the sun begins to heat the room.
Production technology
Modern technologies allow us to quickly and efficiently produce fashionable and beautiful models. The price and density of the future product depends on the manufacturing method. There are two ways to make blackout products.
- Using spraying. A light coating is applied to the fabric on the outside. The fabric is processed on the inside, giving it aesthetic beauty and attractiveness. The applied coating is short-lived and may crack, scratch or tear. If damaged, the curtain stops blocking light.
- Using weaving and interlacing fibers. To make the fabric, three threads are used and they are intertwined in a special way. To give the material reflective ability, black threads are used for the inner layer.
Durable and reliable products are those that are made using the second method. Due to the weave of black threads, the products usually come in dark shades.
Choosing real blackout curtains
It is very difficult to confuse a product that does not transmit light with other curtain fabrics. Blackout curtains have a unique structure that can be seen in cross-section. It is the cut edge of the material that reveals its structure - three layers obtained by interlacing threads. The fabric should be dense and smooth to the touch.
Types of blackout fabric
Depending on your preferences and intended purposes, there are many options for reflective curtains. They have different light absorption coefficients.
So, when placing Japanese curtains, two materials are hung on the windows - dense and transparent. With their help, the owner of the room is able to control daylighting.
The most common blackout curtains are roller models. They are used in public entertainment establishments, in offices, as well as in high-tech home interiors. If you couldn’t find a product of this type you like in the store, you can make reflective curtains yourself. To do this, you need to buy two fabrics: bright and lightproof, and sew them together.
Reference! For manufacturing, they mainly use threads made of polyester and viscose. Fabrics can imitate tapestry, silk or atlas.
Caring for blackout curtains
Thanks to its unique structure, the products are machine washable. After washing, the curtain will not lose its properties. It doesn't need to be ironed. It is best to set automatic washing to manual mode and set the temperature to 40 degrees. Spin - lowest speed (no more than 400). It is best to dry in the shade.
Curtains do not require systematic washing. Water procedures will be enough for them if they are carried out no more than once a year.
Important! It is not recommended to wash blackout curtains obtained by spraying. The protective and decorative layer is erased, and the curtain loses not only its appearance, but also its functional features.
Conclusion
Fabrics with unique capabilities and practicality are conquering the market at a breakneck pace because they are being used in different styles of window decoration.The use of new fibers and design ideas make it possible to create unusual models that are easy to care for and at the same time beautiful and aesthetically pleasing.
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