If your early morning sleep is getting ruined by noises from loud neighbors and unwanted sunlight on your face, you might want to get some heavy curtains.
A blackout curtain can be a solution to your problems. Now the question is, are blackout curtains soundproof? Let’s find out.
Are blackout curtains soundproof?
Blackout curtains are partially soundproof. They can block some sound but not much. Due to their heavy build, they usually block some sound. But this is not significant enough to call it a soundproof curtain. However, as they block some sounds, we can say it is partially soundproof.
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Do blackout curtains block out or reduce noise?
Blackout curtains are an excellent option for your morning sleep. They can block sunlight and cut it off by around 90%. Although their primary goal is to block light, they can also block out sound to some extent.
Blackout curtains are made of heavy fabrics and are usually very thick. As a result, they absorb sound and block them. However, they will not soundproof your room completely.
To soundproof your room completely, you will need proper soundproofing curtains. But, heavy blackout curtains could be a good choice if you are low on budget.
Are all blackout curtains noise reducing?
No, not all blackout curtains are noise-reducing curtains. But, most of the manufacturers market their blackout curtains as noise-reducing curtains. It, however, is not true.
Due to the heavy nature of the blackout curtains, they sometimes dampen the sound. But in most cases, these curtains are not effective in reducing sound. However, some high-quality blackout curtains function as both.
So, if you are looking for a curtain that can prevent both sunlight and outside noise, you can invest in some good-quality blackout curtains. But to fully soundproof your room, you will need curtains that specialize in soundproofing.
Blackout curtains vs soundproof curtains, what’s the difference?
When buying curtains, you must have seen blackout curtains and soundproof curtains. Now the question is, which one should you buy and what are their differences?
There are some differences between a soundproof curtain and a blackout curtain. Some of them are major, while some are not so big. Let’s take a look at some of these differences:
Price:
Firstly, blackout curtains are not as expensive as soundproof curtains. Although they are similar, their materials vary a bit. That is why soundproof curtains cost more.
Function:
The primary function of a blackout curtain is to block sunlight. The main focus of soundproof curtains, on the other hand, is to block sound.
Materials:
Blackout curtains are made with heavy natural and synthetic materials. Soundproof curtains, however, contain materials like vinyl, PVC, and crushed limestone to block sounds.
Design:
Blackout curtains are usually darker in color. These curtains are also weighty. Soundproof curtains, on the other hand, are usually lighter in color and less weighty.
So, these are some of the differences between blackout curtains and soundproof curtains. Before buying one, focus on your purpose and choose accordingly.
Do noise-blocking curtains really work?
To get rid of unwanted noises, many people try soundproofing their homes. It, however, is a costly solution. As a result, people go for a cheap alternative in the form of soundproof curtains.
Now the question is, do these curtains really work? The answer is, yes, they work, to some extent. These curtains come in different styles and designs, letting you choose according to your theme.
Soundproof curtains are a middle ground between a complete soundproof solution and unwanted noise. Although they will not soundproof your room fully, they will dampen some noises. However, if you can use them correctly, they can reduce noises greatly.
For further results, you should try installing soundproof insulation in your doors and windows. Soundproof curtains are excellent in canceling any echo in your room. They will also reduce outside noises significantly.
What material are soundproof curtains made of?
Sound is a kind of energy wave that moves through the air. So, to block this energy, we need materials to either absorb the energy or reflect them.
Some materials that can do this job are used to make soundproof curtains. Below is a list of materials that makes a soundproof curtain:
Velvet:
This is a very soft and heavy fabric that can absorb sound easily. That is why they are one of the most popular materials used to make soundproof curtains.
Multilayered Polyester fabric:
Polyester is another useful material that can absorb sound. These types of fabrics can reflect sound as well.
Some soundproof curtains contain a heavy mass of polyester to make them even more effective.
Vinyl core:
Vinyl is a synthetic material that is an excellent reflector of sound. Vinyl, along with blended PVC and crushed limestone, is another popular material for soundproof curtains.
Unlike other materials, they reflect sound coming from outside, back to its source.
Multilayered cotton with thermal insulator:
Cotton is an excellent material for curtains. In soundproof curtains, multiple layers of cotton are used along with a thermal insulator.
As a result, these curtains become sound-absorbent as well as a heat insulator.
What is the best fabric for blackout curtains?
The primary goal of blackout curtains is to block sunlight. And to get the most out of your blackout curtains, you need to choose the best fabric for this purpose. There are several options for fabrics in the market. Choosing the right type is important to get the best results.
Here’s a list of some good quality fabrics that you can choose from:
Thermal insulated fabric:
These are heavyweight fabrics. They provide additional thermal insulation for your room, along with blocking sunlight. Curtains with these types of fabric can be very energy efficient.
Heavy microfiber:
This fabric is another excellent option for your blackout curtains. Around 90% of sunlight is cut out by this type of fabric.
So, they are very efficient in blocking outside lights. They also balance the temperature of your room by providing some insulation.
Polyester fabric:
This type of fabric is very durable and sturdy. As a result, you can use your curtain out of polyester fabric for a long time.
It is also easy to clean and very cheap. All these make this fabric one of the best choices for blackout curtains.
Should I get blackout curtains for the living room?
There is no specific answer to this question. It entirely depends on your personal preferences. However, judging all the benefits of a blackout curtain, you might want to have them for your living room.
Although it depends on preferences, this type of curtains will be a good choice. It comes in various designs and colors, making it good-looking along with other benefits. They also provide some privacy due to their thickness.
Blackout curtains block sunlight from entering your room. So if you are sensitive to light or have a projector set up in your living room, these curtains will help a lot. These curtains also help remove glare from the tv screen.
Blackout curtains are also very energy efficient as they act as good insulation. And if you are bothered by outside noises, these curtains will also come in very handy. However, they will not soundproof your room but reduce some outside noises.
So, all in all, even though it depends on your choice, having blackout curtains will be a great option for you.
What household items can I use to soundproof a room?
Soundproofing a room usually means making setups such that no outside noise can disrupt your work. But, it is a very costly procedure. And if you are an amateur artist or a podcast host, spending a lot of money on soundproofing your room might be hard for you.
However, there are some household items that you can use to soundproof your room. These items might not guarantee a fully soundproof room, but they are a good alternative. Here’s a list of few household items that you can use to soundproof your room:
- Heavy blankets
- Heavy curtains
- Wall paintings
- Bean bags
- Mattress
- Foam floor tiles
- Heavy carpets
- Acoustic door plugs
- Bookshelves
- Empty Cardboard box
- Hanging clothes
- Yoga mats
These are some of the household items that you can use to soundproof your room. While there are no specific rules for using these items, keep in mind that you can use anything as long as they are sound absorbent.
What is the difference between blackout and Blockout curtains?
If you are looking for curtains to block sunlight, there are two options. You can either buy a blackout curtain or a blockout curtain. Although their function is similar, they have some dissimilarities.
Blackout curtains are usually tightly woven and weigh more. On the contrary, blockout curtains are not so heavy and lightly woven.
The size of both the curtains is the same and standard. But the blackout curtains are thicker and the blockout curtains are comparatively thinner. As a result, blackout curtains cut off most of the sunlight while blockout curtains still let in some light.
Blackout curtains are more energy efficient as they can provide thermal insulation. Blockout curtains, however, cannot provide thermal insulation as they are thinner.
Blackout curtains are a good option if your primary focus is to block light. But, if you want a curtain to block sounds, you should buy a soundproof curtain. However, if you only need to reduce some amount of sound, you can still buy blackout curtains.