Blackout fabric is a foam-backed curtain that restricts the passage of light. This type of fabric is often found in hotels and movie projector rooms. It also is used for drapery and is available in a wide variety of colors and styles. Blackout curtains can be purchased from a variety of retailers and are a great way to create a cozy environment that helps people get restful sleep at night.
The fabric that makes up a blackout curtain is very thick and woven with a cotton or polyester base. It is then coated with a polymer, usually polyurethane, which blocks out all of the light and makes the fabric completely blackout. This process of coating the fabric is called flocking and it is done on both sides of the fabric to make sure that no light can come through at all.
One of the most important things to look for in a blackout curtain is the fabric that it is made of. This will have a major impact on the functionality and quality of the curtains. In addition, the color of the fabric is very important. The darker the fabric, the more effective it will be at blocking out light and reducing glare.
Besides limiting the amount of light that can be seen in a room, blackout curtain fabric can also help to reduce draughts and noise. These curtains are also an excellent choice for children's bedrooms or other areas where a high degree of darkness is required. The fabric is also very durable and will not lose its lustre after repeated washings.
In addition, these fabrics can be steamed without damage to the surface and can be ironed at a low temperature. They also have the advantage of reducing energy costs by blocking the outside light and sun rays. This can save up to 30% in heating and cooling expenses.
This type of fabric is an excellent choice for those who work a night shift or whose kids go to school at night and need a dark and quiet place for sleeping. It can also be helpful for those who are ill and need a restful environment to recover. The use of blackout fabric can be beneficial for airport security as well, as they need total darkness to evaluate X-rays and other equipment.
The fabric that is used to make blackout curtains must be treated with specific textile auxiliaries in order to have the appropriate light-blocking properties and other key features for this type of fabric. These chemicals can be applied to the fabric as spot-on treatments or they can be integrated into the manufacturing process of the fabric. This treatment is extremely important in the production of blackout curtains as it ensures that they will perform well in their intended application. This is especially true when the fabric is going to be used in environments that require a very high degree of darkness, such as hotel rooms.