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QUESTIONS?

Read some of the commonly asked questions we receive about Eclipse™ Curtians.

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Light Blocking Features

Enjoy sleeping in on a sunny day, or viewing a movie in a dark home theater. With the special woven and non-woven materials of eclipse curtains you can block over 99% of light.

What makes blackout curtains block light?

Not all curtains block light, in fact most don't. In order to block light effectively, curtains need to be made of a light-blocking fabric, and manufactured in a manner that weaves the fibers together in an especially tight manner. Very few manufacturers have the broad experience to manufacture energy-saving blackout curtains, and no one puts more effort and testing into the process than eclipse™ curtains.

How do we know that eclipse curtains block over 99% of light?

We continually test eclipse curtains to ensure that they meet the specifications that we promise. Our testing is conducted by independent laboratories who utilize a wide range of tests to ensure that our curtains perform according to our strict standards. No other blackout curtain manufacturer tests their curtains as frequently or as thoroughly as we test eclipse cutains.

We use rigorous scientific testing to measure how effectively eclipse curtains block light. A sensor measures the amount of light reaching it from an incandescent light source - first with no curtain in between the light source and the sensor, and then again with a curtain placed between the light source and the sensor. The curtain's ability to block light is then calculated as a function of the difference between these two readings.

How Light Intensity is Measured

Light is measured in units called Lux, and the eye can see an extremely wide range of Lux values, ranging from very dark conditions (such as a starlit night) to very bright conditions (such as direct sunlight).

Eclipse curtains can reduce light by a factor of over 200 times. For example, light entering an eclipse curtain at 100,000 lux can be reduced down to 500 lux. That is like reducing the size of the Empire State Building from 1250 feet down to just over 6 feet! It's pretty amazing when you consider just how much light is blocked out by an eclipse blackout curtain.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do blackout curtains block enough light to keep my room pitch black, even in bright sunlight?

    Because light is so powerful, no woven curtain can block 100%, but here are some things to consider. Most thermaweave buyers are very satisfied with 99% light blocking performance, but for more of a "pitch black" room, consider thermaback curtains or use a thermaliner behind an existing curtain, because these use a light-impermeable foam backing. Always configure your curtain rods to ensure a tight fit around the sides; this is how most light enters a window fitted with black-out curtains.

  • Why do I still see some light when my black-out curtains are drawn? Don't they block 99% of light?

    Yes, all eclipse curtains are proven in independent laboratory tests to block over 99% of light. But there are two factors that result in some light still being seen by our eyes. Because light is so powerful, even 1% of light is still visible to our eyes. Our eyes are designed to adjust to darkness in a way that helps us see even very low levels of light in darkened rooms.