Curtain lining: Which type is best for your home?

You’ve probably heard of blockout and thermal curtain linings – but do you know the difference between them? In this article, we break down the different lining options so that you can make an informed decision when choosing curtains for your home.

But first… Why line your curtains? Windows play a major role in controlling the temperature in your home – so it’s important to cover them appropriately. Lined drapes create a thermal insulation barrier that will help keep your home warm and cosy.

Thermal lining: Thermal curtain lining consists of one layer (or one pass) of coated acrylic suede. It offers a thermal barrier, increasing energy savings and helping keep your room warmer. It is important to understand that due to the construction of this fabric, some light will still pass through into the room. Another thing to be aware of is this fabric can tend to ‘dust’ at times, which can be an annoyance when particles collect behind your curtains and on your sills.

Blockout lining: Blockout curtain lining comes in several varieties. We’ve outlined three key fabric types below:

1. Silicone-coated: One of the newer products on the market, silicone blockout lining is coated with three layers of silicone to protect against the sun and moisture. This fabric has extremely good blockout properties and, because it’s thicker, it also retains heat better than thermal lining. Unlike acrylic suede lining, it won’t create or hold any loose dust. Another benefit is that the silicone on the back of the lining can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth, making for easy spot cleaning.

2. Dimout / triple weave: The second type of blockout lining is ‘dimout’ or triple weave lining. This fabric has a woven construction rather than a coating, meaning it has a lot softer and thicker feel to it. However, be aware that the weave does allow a small amount of light to pass through – which is why it’s called ‘dimout’ as opposed to ‘blackout’ fabric. Once again, the three layer construction makes this a more energy efficient choice than standard thermal lining.

3. Blockout lining: Coated acrylic suede: The third blockout lining is three-layer (or three pass) coated acrylic suede. Like the other blockout linings, the triple layers mean this fabric retains more heat and blocks out more light than a thermal lining. However, like thermal lining it does create dust making this a less preferable option as it naturally rubs off over time.

The verdict – which is best? Don’t be fooled by the term ‘thermal lining’ – if you want better heat retention in your home, your best choice is a three-pass blockout lining. Think of it this way: if you were off to the snow, you’d wear three layers of clothing rather than one – so why wouldn’t you do the same for your windows?

As always, our team is on hand for help and advice – so don’t hesitate to get in touch to chat about the best window treatment solutions for your home.

Thanks to Curtain Design for this great article.