subject: Blackout Drapes Info [print this page] Blackout Drapes Info Blackout Drapes Info
If you've ever slept in a room with blackout drapes, then you've probably experienced a very restful night. Even with bright sunshine outside the window, your body can fully relax in the quietness of a dark room. Although blackout curtains can make a fantastic addition to a home, you'll need to make some decisions before you shop to make sure you find exactly what you're looking for.
Many people might think that only hotels use this kind of window covering to block light and increase privacy. Blackout liners does allow you to block out up to 99% of the light entering the room, as well as drastically reduce noise. However, hotels are not the only customers purchasing these sturdy liners. Shift workers, college students, senior citizens, parents with infant children, and late sleepers are also interested in making their bedrooms completely dark for a long and restful bedtime.
Another benefit of fully covering your windows is reducing the energy wasted in your house. As much as 80% of your home's energy can be attributed to heat transfer at the windows, whether you're trying to cool your home in the summer or heat your home in the winter. Blocking this transfer with heavy drapes helps to reduce this energy cost. In the long run, this is not only better for your finances, but it's also beneficial to the environment.
Once you begin doing some research about insulated curtains, you'll discover that narrowing your focus will guide your decision much better. For instance, think about what color, size, and price you'd prefer for your Blackout Drapes. For color, some stores offer sample swatches for you to match the color scheme of the room you're trying to outfit. For size, most of the lengths range from 63" to 84" long. Of course, you can always choose custom curtain panels to match your window for a perfect fit. Depending on your preference of color, fabric, length, and style, your final purchase price should be in a comfortable range for your budget.
Some additional points to consider are some decorative options that you can choose to dress up your shades. For example, most of these curtains can be hung from standard rods. However, choosing a decorative rod can give you more of a designer look without paying designer prices. Also, make sure that the width of your drapes is 2 - 3 times as wide as the window that you're trying to cover. This allows the fabric to fall in a graceful manner. You can also add a sheer liner to go underneath the heavy curtains so when you do have your drapes open, the sheer liner lets the light in without compromising privacy.
Overall, deciding on the right Blackout Drapes for your home starts with knowing what you'd like ahead of time. This step will save you time and money so you can enjoy a relaxing atmosphere in any room.