Blackout panels may be the perfect solution for your room darkening needs.
Blackout panels are an economical and easy to use light control solution. If you want to have the ability to block all light that enters a particular room in your house, such as a nursery or entertainment room, without replacing the current drapes or curtains, consider blackout panels. While there are many high quality and beautiful blackout curtains and drapes available in the market, perhaps your current drapery is a perfect match for your room and you do not wish to change it.
Blackout panels may be attached directly to your existing curtains or behind them. If you choose to attach them to your existing curtains, the blackout panels should attach using the same loops and hooks you are using for your curtains. Some blackout panels come with magnetic strips or adhesives to keep the blackout panels in place. For additional security, you can sew the blackout panel to the curtains. They will function well without sewing, however, and most consumers do not sew their blackout panels to their curtains.
If you do not want to attach your blackout panels to your curtains, you can simply hang the blackout panels behind your curtains. You would need to install a second curtain rod beneath the existing rod for your blackout panels.
Blackout panels are especially good for windows that have constant exposure to the sun, such as windows facing South or West. Windows that do not have any shading awnings or natural shade are also good candidates for blackout panels.
Blackout grommet panels are particularly popular and stylish. They go well with a modern decor or something with a Southwestern flavor. Blackout grommet panels usually come with 6-8 large grommets that are threaded by a decorative rod. There are many colors to choose from for your blackout grommet panels as well as different colors for the decorative rods (i.e., silver, gold, deep red). Blackout grommet curtains tend to slide easily back and forth and do not easily become entangled.
Popular blackout panel styles and brands include Croscill panels, Peri panels, Waverly panels, toile panels, sheers panel, organza panels, scarf panels, taffetta panels, plaid panels, and jacquard panels.
Your blackout panels will give you other benefits beyond room darkening. Quality blackout panels will have thermal qualities. They will help keep warmth in your home during cold months. During warm months, they will help keep your home cool. Blackout panels help keep your room cool because they not only insulate against heat conduction into your home, but they also block solar radiation. This will not only help keep your home cool and comfortable but it will prevent sun damage to your furniture and floors. Blackout panels will also substantially reduce outside noise that comes into your home.
Exercise care when choosing the size of your blackout panels. If you buy a pair of blackout panels, some sunlight may come through the gap in the panels. There are panels that come with adhesives to prevent this. A safer choice see if there is a larger single panel that fits your entire window.
