Blackout Curtains

Blackout Curtains are the Cat’s Pajamas

No need to dabble in the dark arts in order to achieve the magic of blackout curtains. Calgary Custom Window Coverings is happy to lighten your load when it comes to darkening your room. In terms of room-darkening window treatments, blackout curtains are the cat’s pajamas.

They can maximize light blockage covering the full length of the wall from floor to ceiling. Blackout curtains should extend beyond the width of the window frame allowing enough room for the fabric to rest to the side or sides of the window without obstructing too much of the glass. Keep in mind blackout fabric tends to be thicker in nature which will add to the amount of space the curtains take up when pushed open. Curtains with light-dimming lining will take up even more space than blackout curtains made with room-darkening fabric.

Beyond darkening the room, blackout curtains add warmth because a significant portion of a wall is covered with fabric. The vertical lines of the folds will draw the eye upward making the space feel taller. Selecting the perfect blackout fabric or blackout-lined fabric for your space also allows you to add a layer of texture, colour, and pattern. Overall, blackout curtains make for a warm, design-forward option that is as practical as it is beautiful.

Although you can order blackout curtains in the style of your choice, Calgary Custom Window Coverings recommends ripplefold curtains on a ceiling-mounted track to maximize light blockage and maintain a concise tailored look when the curtain panels are pulled to the sides. Pinch-pleat, tailored pleat, box-pleat, and goblet pleated curtains may appear bulkier when pulled to the sides if heavier or lined fabric is used. Grommet curtains can stack neatly to the sides when open, however, they will require mounting on a rod which will lessen the extent of the coverage. Grommets also allow light to sneak out of the space between the grommets and the rod.

With all window treatments, it is difficult to achieve 100% light blockage. With blinds, light will seep out the sides to varying extents. With blackout curtains, light finds its way out of the top. By layering blinds with curtains, you can cover all your bases. If you already have a room darkening shade and would simply like to block the light seepage on the sides, decorative stationary blackout drapery panels might just do the trick. The decorative panels will take up less space and will cost a fraction of the price of fully functional blackout curtains. Because the panels do not have to be pushed open you can opt for a more decorative pleat if it strikes your fancy.

Beyond blocking light, custom blackout drapery will also literally add warmth to your space. The thicker blackout fabrics will help to insulate the room preventing cold air from coming in in the chilly winter months of Calgary. During sweltering summer months blackout curtains will block out heat to maintain a cooler space.

Room darkening curtains will also add warmth to your room in a visual sense. Soft velvets, cozy linen-like weaves, and luxurious engineered silks draping from the ceiling down to the floor will instantly warm up the room. Selecting the perfect light dimming fabric will also provide the opportunity to add texture, pattern, and colour to the room. Although the ceiling may be the limit when it comes to the measurements of your blackout drapery, the sky is the limit when it comes to customizing the perfect blackout curtain design with Calgary Custom Window Coverings.