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The short answer is, there isn’t one. While some businesses offer different options for blackout and blockout curtains, at Russells we choose to use just one term (blockout curtains) to cover our range of curtains and linings that block as much sunlight as possible. If they don’t block enough light, they won’t be called a blockout curtain.

Blockout curtains will sometimes require more space than blockout blinds. Cleaning blockout curtains is also a bit more challenging than cleaning blockout blinds due to their thicker, heavier material. Blockout curtains also fully blockout light, meaning letting natural light into your home is all or nothing with blockout curtains – it’s either fully dark inside or letting in direct harsh light. For windows that get direct sunlight in rooms that you spend a lot of time in throughout the day, this can be frustrating.

Blockout curtains do exactly what their name implies – they block out light. This makes them a great choice for rooms you want to keep dark, like bedrooms or nurseries.

Blockout curtains are an affordable and simple way to improve your sleep and overall health. Most curtains will have the option of adding a blockout lining to them so you can still get the style you want with the benefits of a blockout curtain. However, it may not be worth getting blockout curtains throughout your home – prioritise bedrooms for the added sleep benefits.

No, blockout curtains are not soundproof, however, they can help absorb some sound. They tend to be thicker than other curtains and sometimes have an added lining and all that material does help muffle sound transfer.

Deciding if thermal or blockout curtains are better for you comes down to your priority. If you want to create a completely dark room, choose blockout. If you want to minimise draughts and insulate a room, choose thermal. Luckily, due to the thicker nature of both thermal and blockout curtains, they’ll both help with insulation and light control to some extent.

A good night’s sleep is important to our overall health and blockout curtains can help. By cutting out light exposure, your body is better able to rest undisturbed. So, yes, it is healthy to have blockout curtains in your bedroom!

In the summer, yes, blackout curtains can keep a room cooler. They do this by adding insulating properties to a window, which limits the transfer of warm air, meaning blockout curtains will not only keep a room cooler in summer, they’ll also keep it warmer in winter.

The colour of your blockout curtains is completely up to you, but remember, darker colours will be more effective. Black, dark blue or charcoal are the most popular options for blockout curtains and look especially nice with white or light-coloured walls.

Here are the main things to consider when shopping for blockout curtains:

1. Colour and style. You want to ensure the fabric and heading style of your new blockout curtains suit your room!

2. The type of fabric. If you have children or pets, you might opt for a high-wearing fabric that will last longer.

3. Versatility. If you don’t want to use blockout curtains all the time, you might consider a dual track option to pair them with some stylish sheers.

The lining or coated side of your curtains should face the glass so you can enjoy the style of the fabric from inside your home and the lining or coating can do its job of protecting from and blocking UV rays.

Just like choosing any other type of curtains, when it comes to choosing blockout curtains you’ll need to consider both the style of them and the functionality of them. You might be slightly limited in style as lighter or semi-transparent fabrics won’t be suitable for blockout curtains.

Blackout curtains are often a bit heavier than regular curtains, so while you don’t need a special curtain rod to hang, you will want to ensure your existing rod is firmly secured and not too flexible. If the curtain rod flexes with a bit of pressure, you might want to replace it with a sturdier rod.