Nine benefits of Blackout Drapes

Blackout drapes at Factory Direct Drapes™ and Factory Bargain Drapes™ are amongst the most functional types of drapes we offer. They can block out all of the light in and out of the room, acts as an insulator, helps save money on utilities, and adds another level of privacy. In this article we will delve deeper into each of these benefits so you will be better prepared for your next purchase for Blackout Drapes.

But first, what are Blackout Drapes (sometimes referred to as dim-out drapes)? They are Drapes that are designed to not allow any light to come through the fabric allowing you total control over the light in a room. Blackout drapes can come as one fabric that is blackout or as two with a normal fabric with a Blackout lining. Although Blackout Drapes are ideal for anyone, they can be especially useful for shift workers or anyone who keeps irregular hours. Below you will find nine benefits of Blackout drapes. 

1. Light Blocking. If you need the option to block all light from a room then Blackout drapes will be your best option. Although the material will block out 100% of the light, some will seep through the sides since there will be a gap from the all to the drape.

2. Save money on Utilities. PG&E states that approximately 16% of all heat in a room will escape through your windows. With the blackout curtains insulating properties you will be able to save every month on your utility bills.

3. Privacy. Blackout drapes help provide security by totally blocking out the window and also not letting as much sounds escape to outside.

4. Insulation. Blackout drapes help insulate keep a room cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

5. Better Sleep. The CDC (Center of Disease Control) recommends to “Sleep in a quiet, dark, and relaxing environment, which is neither too hot nor too cold” (link). Blackout drapes will make your room as dark as a cave to help you sleep better.

6. Longer Lasting. On average a Blackout drape will last 10-15 years longer because it is more resilient to sunlight then a normal fabric.

7. Blocks outside noise. Live on a busy street or have noisy neighbors?

8. Looks Better. When blackout lining is added to your drapes it adds more weight. The extra weight helps the drapes hang nicer and gives it more graceful full folds.

9. Home Entertainment. Do you have a room where you consider your theater room or a family room with a big television? Blackout drapes do a wonderful job at helping create that movie theater atmosphere.

Blackout drapes are the Swiss Army knife of the Drape industry and are as ornate and decorative as they are practical.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics 101: Part 2

This is part two of our series of posts that cover our Eco-Friendly Fabrics. If you have not already, be sure to read part 1 of the series to learn about our Organic Cotton Drapes and Recycled Drapes. Also, remember that every drape that qualifies as a Eco-Friendly fabric we plant a tree with the National Arbor Day Foundation. Help us keep America green.

Bamboo Drapes
Bamboo fabric is woven from the pulp of bamboo grass. Bamboo crops are unique in the sense that they do not require pesticides or herbicides in order to thrive which makes it very easy to be kept as organic.

Organic Bamboo fabrics most notable qualities are:

1. Good insulating fabric
2. Wrinkle free
3. People who have allergic reactions to wool or hemp often do not have one with bamboo.
4. Naturally has antibacterial qualities

We currently have one Bamboo material; Organic Bamboo White Semi Sheer.

Hemp Drapes
Hemp has been around for thousands of years! In your minds eye you may think of Hemp as a course fabric but with modern processing it is now smooth enough to wear as clothing.

Hemp fabric is characterized by:

1. Being a strong and durable fabric.
2. Beautiful natural and earth tones.
3. Resistant to UV rays and is a great insulator.

We currently have three Hemp fabrics; Hemp Black, Hemp Flax, Help Sage, Hemp Stone. On a side note, Hemp Sage is my favorite of all the fabrics we offer. It has a nice earthy texture and color that I just love.

Eco-Friendly Fabrics 101: Part 1

This is part 1 in this series. Click here to read part 2.

Did you know that every time we sell an Eco-Friendly drape that we plant a tree with the National Arbor Day Foundation? At the time we are writing this, we have already planted 206 trees. Furthermore, did you know that Factory Direct Drapes™ is a member of the Organic Trade Association? This assures our customers that when they order drapes that are eco-friendly that the fabrics are certified organic drapes. We have four types of fabrics that we classify as “eco-friendly” fabrics because each has its own unique production qualities that lessen their impact on the environment when compared to conventional fabrics. In this post we will explore each of these fabrics so you know how to distinguish between each.

Organic Cotton Drapes
Organic Cotton comes from non-genetically modified crops and is certified to be grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. This fabric is popular with environmentalist because these crops have a low impact on the environment, supports bio-diversity, improves the quality of soil, and often uses less water.

Organic Cotton has some unique qualities that have made these fabrics very popular.

1. Has a pleasant matte luster.
2. Hypo-allergenic and dust mite resistant.
3. Good for those who are advocates for sustainable agriculture.

We currently have 4 Organic Cotton Fabrics; Cotton Squares Ivory, Organic Cotton Diamond, Organic Cotton Hemp, and Wondra Ivory.

Recycled Drapes
Recycled fabrics are created from materials that are byproducts of spinning, weaving, and the cutting process and would have otherwise been thrown away. When ordering recycled material for your drapes you can feel good that you are helping the earth.

We currently offer Recycled Hemp, which is also Organic.

Top 10 fabrics used for drapes

We offer over 200 fabrics for drapes and are often asked which fabrics are ordered the most. Here are the top 10 fabrics ordered for our custom drapes at Factory Direct Drapes. Some of the images are very light but you can click on them to see a high resolution picture.

Crash Linen Beige

Voile Sheer White

Voile Sheer Ivory

Diamond Dobby Wine

Econo Flax

Pebbles Maroon

Blackout Flax Taupe

Summer Silk Chocolate

 Crash Linen Cabernet 

Blackout Flax Cream

If you’d like more information please view the high resolution pictures or call us at 866-713-7273.

You have been asking for a catalog and now we have one. The catalog can be downloaded from the “Resource Center” for free. Our new catalog comes complete with all the information to order online. There is a page dedicated to “How To Measure” with pictures. We have also implemented a page for order preparation. We have listed all of our custom styles of drapes, rods, and accessories complete with high resolution color images.