What is blackout fabric?
From English, blackout is translated as “darkening”, “blackout”. If you hold the blackout fabric to the window, you will see that sunlight does not pass through it. The material is a two-layer or three-layer fabric, dense, pleasant and smooth to the touch. The front side of the fabric usually performs a purely decorative function; it can be either plain or with patterns. However, the main purpose of the fabric remains protection from sunlight. The layers of blackout fabric themselves are very thin, but when combined they form a dense material with light-proof properties.
History of the origin of blackout fabric
Blackout is a fairly new fabric that entered the textile market quite recently. Blackout originates from Finland, the amazing land of white nights. It was there that curtains were first invented to block light from entering the house. The Finns' discovery quickly spread throughout the world, and opaque fabric gained immense popularity among consumers.
Nevertheless, the largest manufacturer of blackout fabrics is still the Finnish company Almedahls AB.
Blackout fabric, description, types and composition
Blackout fabric can become a barrier between the outside world and a cozy home.
What is blackout fabric
Blackout fabric, as you might guess from the name (English blackout - darkening), is capable of darkening the entire space, delaying light and creating a real illusion of night. Having appeared in Norway - the land of white nights - blackout material quickly gained incredible popularity throughout the world. And this is not surprising, because light resistance, aesthetics and practicality are the best descriptions of this fabric.
It is enough to bring the canvas to the window and make sure that it does not let in any light at all. This effect is achieved thanks to a special fiber weaving technology. The fabric feels smooth, dense, uniform, sometimes with a pattern or jacquard weave. However, in fact, the canvas usually consists of three layers, each of which can be easily seen in cross-section. Blackout material is a godsend for people who value practicality, style and comfort.
Light resistance is the main advantage of curtains made of blackout fabric.
Types of blackout fabric
Manufacturers of Blackout fabric use different materials and chemicals, so the characteristics of the fabrics may vary. Nevertheless, it is customary to distinguish two types of blackout, which correspond to different production technologies and different colors of the protective fabric.
Light-protective blackout layer – white
A white ethereal thread is applied to a textile base; it is this thread that will serve as a shield from the sun. After that, to enhance light resistance, the canvas is covered with acrylic foam.
- The advantage of a white coating is that it can be used to give the fabric any color, from gray to bright pink.
- The downside is the poor durability of the coating; it is easily damaged and may even peel off.
The light-protective layer of the blackout is black.
In the second case, the light reflector is a thin black fabric. In this case, the front and back sides are colored, and the black fibers form the inner layer.
- The advantage of this technology is the smooth surface of the fabric on both sides and high density.
- The downside is that such a canvas can only be painted in muted or dark colors.
At the last stage of production, patterns or prints can be applied to the fabric, treated with various chemical compounds to increase fire-resistant properties and resistance to pollution.
Advantages and disadvantages
Blackout curtains have both their advantages and disadvantages. But the first list is much larger than the second. Let's start with it.
The main advantages of using opaque curtains
Blackout are:
- The material blocks up to 95% of sunlight.
- The canvases reduce the heating of the air in the room and the penetration of noise from the street.
- When in contact with an open flame, the material does not burn and does not release toxic substances into the air.
- Curtains are highly wear-resistant and resistant to all types of dirt.
- When washed, they do not lose their properties and original appearance.
- They do not require ironing, hold their shape well and are easy to drape.
Blackout curtains look amazing. They do not cause allergic reactions, therefore they are indicated for use in the bedroom and children's room, medical and school institutions.
The list of advantages of black-out curtains is respectable. But it is worth listing the disadvantages of light-protective curtains:
- Price. The price of the material used in the production of such curtains is an order of magnitude higher than conventional fabrics.
- Color. The ability of the material to absorb light and protect the room from the penetration of sunlight forces manufacturers to dye the fabric in dark shades.
It is necessary to mention one more disadvantage of such solutions. The fact is that the popularity of Blackout curtains has led to many fakes appearing on the market. Of course, this cannot be blamed on light-protective curtains, but it is impossible to do without indicating this fact. Therefore, buy curtains of this type only from trusted suppliers. We will be glad to see you among our salon clients. We value our reputation, therefore we guarantee the quality of our products.
Benefits of blackout fabric
Blackout fabric is one of the leaders among curtain materials and has many advantages. Let's list some of them:
- practicality of the material
- aesthetic appearance
- high density
- does not allow light to pass through
- retains heat and does not allow cold air to pass through
- high noise insulation
- high strength
- high wear resistance
- does not shrink when washing
- does not fade, does not fade in the sun
- resistant to stains
- hypoallergenic
- doesn't wrinkle
- does not stretch
- does not burn
- drapes easily
- pleasant to the touch
Types of fabric
The original is made of polyester. This fabric has high technological characteristics: it does not wrinkle, is resistant to dirt and fading, is pleasant to the touch and drapes beautifully. These properties of “Blackout Original” are widely used in interior textile design and in the design of stage areas.
Non-flammable - the material acquires these properties in two ways: either it is treated with a special composition that prevents burning, or a non-flammable thread is already woven into the fabric. It is preferable to include a special thread, since the impregnation loses its properties over time. Non-flammable blackout has all the qualities of a combustible material, the main one being light resistance.
“Blackout Street” is a special type of fabric designed for outdoor use. To increase its wear resistance, the material is treated with a protective compound.” Blackout Street" is used for the production of advertising banners and banners.
Methods of weaving blackout fabric
Blackout Linen - this fabric has a textured surface that imitates linen weave. This effect is achieved by additional braiding of threads on the front side, which creates a relief on the surface.
Blackout shine – the front layer of the fabric has inclusions of satin thread, which adds shine and smoothness to the surface.
The material can also be:
- Plain - white or painted.
- Have a drawing. Printing is used to apply a design to fabric, which makes it possible to create almost any image.
- Jacquard - has a convex pattern formed by jacquard weaving of the threads of the top layer.
What types of curtains are made from blackout fabric?
Blackout fabric is actively used for sewing the following types of curtains:
- Curtain curtains. They are used not only for protection from sunlight, but also for interior design.
- Roman or pleated blinds. They are curtains with horizontal folds and a simple control system for room darkening mechanisms.
- Japanese curtains. They look like a smooth piece of fabric. Thanks to the fixed transverse strips, when lifted, it forms wavy, even folds.
- Roller blinds. They are distinguished by the highest density of material and are used mainly in nightclubs and gyms.
Reviews
We offer several reviews about blackout curtains
, from our readers:
Anastasia
I purchased Blackout curtains with imitation linen. The fabric has a beautiful weave. I hung it on my cornice, but light leaked into the room from above. My husband and I moved the cornice right up to the ceiling. Now we are not afraid of the scorching sun. An excellent solution for the bedroom.
Victoria
I went to the store to purchase blackout curtains. Our bedroom windows face the sunny side, which makes it impossible to rest properly. I didn’t know anything about Blackout curtains. But the seller suggested paying attention to such curtains. I bought them with pleasure and couldn't be happier. They not only protect the room well from sunlight, but also look great.
Kirill
My wife ate all her bald spots - install blinds, and install blinds. But I don't like these designs. Some of them are not natural. While she was visiting her mother-in-law, I decided to please my missus. I went to the store and bought the most expensive curtains they had. I chose the color and pattern to fit into the interior. The packaging said Blackout - 95% light absorption. I hung everything up and it looks great. And, indeed, they provide excellent protection from sunlight. Very happy with the purchase. The wife was also pleased. Which happens extremely rarely with us.
How to wash blackout curtains
Three-layer blackout curtains can be washed in a washing machine. However, it is necessary to remember the temperature regime and not exceed 40 degrees. Select the washing mode – manual or delicate, and the number of revolutions – minimum. The material dries very quickly. Just hang the curtains in a dark place and they will be dry in just a few hours. Blackout fabric does not wrinkle, but if a fold or crease occurs, you can iron the product with an iron at low temperature or a steamer.
Double-layer curtains or other blackout products can be washed by hand or use a vacuum cleaner to clean them.
Blackout fabric has no analogues of its kind; it has absolutely unique properties. Despite this, caring for her will not be difficult. And in general, products made from such fabric do not require frequent cleaning; it is enough to wash them once or twice a year.
Blackout - description, properties, composition
Blackout is a light-protective fabric invented by the Finns, who were tormented by the “white” nights. Constant daylight interfered with normal sleep, which led to the development of a unique curtain material that did not allow light to pass through. The structure of the blackout is a three-layer fabric with a satin weave of fibers, which makes the fabric durable and dense. Now there are various models of curtains made from this fabric. For example, blackout Roman blinds (more details here), blackout curtains with photo printing (more information on the link), mini blackout roller blinds.
The back layer, facing the sun, is usually made of white or light threads to reflect the rays. The inner layer is the densest, impenetrable; some manufacturers use special impregnation, while others resort to black threads. The front layer of the material is decorative - with colorful patterns, patterned, contrasting, plain, there are a lot of options. The advantages of the fabric are not only light resistance, it has a lot of advantages. Blackout curtains are often produced with eyelets. Here are the details. Here you will find more photos of blackout curtains.
In the photo - blackout fabric:
- Sound protection - the canvas dampens not only light, but also sound: approximately a third of the noise will remain outside.
- Thermal insulation - in summer the fabric will not allow heat into the house, and in winter it will not let heat out.
- Fire resistance - the fabric does not burn, but melts.
- Does not fade - even the most intense sun rays do not leave ugly faded spots on the fabric, the light layer simply repels them, and the radiation does not penetrate further.
- Wear resistance – the fabric is durable, designed for aggressive environments, and does not lose its appearance over the years.
- Decorative – the fabric drapes beautifully, manufacturers do not skimp on designer services.
- Practicality - the surface of the material repels dust and dirt and is easy to wash.
Unlike ordinary curtain fabric, blackout will not become a home dust collector, causing a lot of trouble for housewives. In addition, even on the sunniest day, no light penetrates through a window covered with such curtains.
Blackout is an artificial fabric made from synthetic fibers. It can be made entirely of polyester (polyester) or with viscose additives.
Also, in the production of the material, chemicals are actively used - the fabric is impregnated with acrylic solutions to improve the characteristics. Sometimes metallized coating is used as a substrate.
