The primary purpose of the curtain is to regulate sunlight & improve privacy. Blackout is the undisputed champion in both functions. The main feature of blackout fabric is its room darkening ability.

While shopping for blackouts, we come across various terms; thermal insulated blackout, woven blackout fabric, blackout fabrics that can be used as lining. White Blackout Curtain Fabric, two layered & three layered fabrics. None of them are cheap, so below is the guide on how to select the type of blackout and what to expect from that particular fabric.

Curtains and Drapes

While there are many articles and textile definitions that differentiate between curtain and drapes; on basis of the lining, light permeability. We’ll simply imply curtains as ready to use stitched fabric for window treatment & drapery as piece of fabric.

Image of dark, heavy draperies come to mind when one thinks of blackout curtains. While this is correct, it is not necessary. Blackout curtains are available in white and light shades and can weigh as light as semi-sheer curtains.

Blackout fabric is produced in two ways:

1. Blackout woven fabric

2. Thermal insulated fabric

Each one has its own merits, types and methods of application.

Blackout Woven Fabrics

These are densely woven fabrics; these fabrics are produced using weaving techniques without any extra after processing treatment to increase fabric’s light blocking ability. These are widely used and most common form of blackout available in the market. These fabrics dimout most of the light, and hence are also called Dimout fabric. These fabrics gain light barring properties from their special structure; superimposed thread arrangement or multilayered fabric technology.

The fabric is multilayered, hence the weight. Satin is the best way to produce a dense woven fabric, hence satin is present at least on one side of the fabric.

Thermal Insulated Blackout Fabric

These are coated fabrics; these fabrics feature a black acrylic foam backed to the fabric, which blocks out the light. This is an extra after processing done on the fabric. It is available in “2 pass” & “3 pass”. In 2 pass coated, On the fabric a black layer is coated which is again coated with a white layer. Due to which, sometimes black layer is visible from the front side. 3 pass coated has a white layer coated to main fabric which is again backed by a black and a white layer.

Black acrylic foam is used as an insulation, hence Thermal insulated blackout fabric.

Comparison

Woven Blackouts are budget friendly.

White color is only available in thermal insulated ones.

Woven blackout are available in wide color ranges and customized prints.

Thermal insulated block light better than woven blackouts.

Woven blackout fabrics drape very nicely.

These fabrics can be used directly as well as lining.

Woven blackouts have comparatively low carbon foot print are easy to recycle.

Maintaining(Wash care) woven blackout is much easier.

Conclusion:

Blackout woven fabric is the clear winner. But for those of us who are willing to spend for white blackouts or those who need thin fabric for their roller blinds, thermal insulated blackout is your only choice.

As a professional Blackout Curtain Fabric Suppliers, we also offer tons of different fabric material,welcome to consult us.