Get the best of both worlds with dual track curtains
- Karina Dollman
- Consultant
In short
A dual track lets you hang two curtains on the same window — usually a sheer and a blockout — so you get soft, filtered light by day and full darkness and privacy at night. It is a lovely, versatile option for living areas and bedrooms, though it costs a little more, takes up more depth at the window, and means coordinating two fabrics. Our consultants can help you get the combination right.
If you’ve been considering new curtains, one of the questions you’ll come across early in the process is whether you want something sheer and light filtering or something blockout. There are benefits to both sheer and blockout curtains, depending on what you need. But having both is an option that you might not have considered!
With a dual track, you can hang two different curtains on the same window for added style and functionality. And the perfect combination for dual track curtains is sheer and blockout.
Table of contents
What are the benefits of sheer curtains?
Sheers are ideal in rooms that get plenty of direct sunlight, but where you might not want to fully block light all day. They provide some protection from harsh UV rays and filter light to keep your home bright and airy feeling through the day. Not to mention they add a bit of privacy for windows that face the street or the neighbours. They’re also great for creating a sense of indoor/outdoor flow and are often seen on patio doors or floor-to-ceiling windows. Read our blog on choosing and using sheers for more details on incorporating them into your home.
What are the benefits of blockout curtains?
Blockout curtains do exactly what they say – blockout light. This makes them perfect for bedrooms (especially during those long summer nights!), or any room you want to block a significant amount of light in. They also provide excellent privacy from anyone passing by. Many people enjoy having blockout curtains in their lounge to reduce glare on TVs or to protect furniture from harsh sunlight through the peak of the day. Learn more about the benefits of blockout curtains.
But what if you want both?
In some situations, you may want both the light filtering of a sheer and the light blocking of a blockout at different times. That’s where the dual track curtain rod comes in. It will let you customise your look with a sheer curtain and a blockout curtain on the same window. This is especially useful in living areas and bedrooms where blocking out light is important at certain times of the day, but you also want to have some soft natural light at other times of the day.
What should you consider with a dual track?
While a dual track curtain set up sounds like the ideal solution, there are a few things you’ll need to consider.
Two tracks of curtains will stick out further from the window than a single track. Make sure you have the space to not feel cramped if your curtains take up a little more space!
Two sets of curtains will cost a bit more. You’ll need to purchase both sheers and blockouts to make this set up work, so make sure to consider whether it’s within your budget.
There are more style choices to make. With multiple sets of curtains, you’ll need to have an eye for coordinating multiple colours, fabrics and styles. Luckily, our consultants are experts in creating beautiful combinations.
Plan for about 150mm of depth, measured from the glass of your window, to see if you have room for double track curtains. Overall, a dual track combination of sheers and blockout curtains is ideal for increasing versatility and getting the best of both worlds, but it won’t be the right choice for everyone. If you’re considering a dual track set up, check out Episode 5 of our People & homes series to see how they work for Sammy.
Ready to find the right curtains for your home? Request a free in-home consultation and one of our local consultants will bring the samples to you, measure up, and give you a no-obligation quote.
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Guides
Choosing the right curtains for your home
Not sure which curtains will suit your home? Find out everything you need to know with this free guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a dual track curtain system?
It is a track that holds two separate curtains on the same window — most often a sheer and a blockout — so you can choose soft filtered light or full darkness depending on the time of day.
How much space do dual track curtains need?
Allow about 150mm of depth measured from the glass of your window. Two tracks sit further out than a single track, so it is worth checking you have the room before you commit.
Are dual track curtains more expensive?
Yes, a little — you are buying two sets of curtains rather than one. It is worth weighing up against the added flexibility and comfort you get in living areas and bedrooms.
Which rooms suit dual track curtains best?
Living areas and bedrooms are the classic choice, where you want soft natural light at some times of day and full darkness and privacy at others.
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