Blockout Curtains
Custom blockout curtains made to measure for New Zealand homes. Complete light control, insulation and a tailored finish for every room.
Custom Blockout Curtains for New Zealand Homes
Blockout curtains provide complete light control, improved insulation and added privacy. Whether you call them blackout or blockout curtains, the principle is the same: a dense lining behind the face fabric that blocks light from entering the room. All our blockout curtains are made to measure at our Christchurch workroom, with a wide choice of fabrics, colours and heading styles.
How Blockout Curtains Work
A blockout lining is applied to the back of your chosen curtain fabric, creating a barrier that blocks sunlight and artificial light from outside. This means you can choose almost any fabric you like and add a blockout lining to it, rather than being limited to a set range of blackout fabrics.
Complete Light Control
Blockout curtains give you full control over the amount of light entering a room, from complete darkness for sleep to filtered light when layered with sheers on a double track. They are particularly effective in bedrooms, media rooms and any space where glare or external light is an issue.
Energy Efficiency and Insulation
The dense lining that blocks light also acts as an insulating layer, helping to retain heat in winter and reduce heat gain in summer. For homes in cooler parts of New Zealand, this added insulation can make a noticeable difference to comfort and energy use.
Blackout vs Thermal Curtains
Blackout and thermal curtains are often confused, but they serve different primary purposes. Blackout curtains are designed to block light. Thermal curtains are designed to retain heat and reduce energy loss. In practice, most blockout linings also provide a degree of thermal insulation, and many homeowners choose a curtain with both properties for bedrooms and living areas. Your consultant can help you decide whether a blockout lining, a thermal lining, or a combination of both is the right choice for each room.
Where to Use Blockout Curtains
Bedrooms
Blockout curtains are the most popular choice for bedrooms, providing complete darkness for restful sleep. They are particularly useful in rooms that face east or north, where morning light can be strong. For a softer look, pair blockout curtains with a sheer on a double track so you can filter light during the day and block it completely at night.
Living Rooms
In living rooms, blockout curtains reduce glare on screens and offer full privacy in the evening. If you prefer natural light during the day, a double track with a sheer at the front and a blockout lining at the rear gives you the flexibility to switch between the two.
Media Rooms
For dedicated media rooms or home theatres, blackout curtains create a dark environment at any time of day. A ceiling-mounted track with a blockout lining and minimal light gaps delivers the best result.
Children's Rooms
Blockout curtains help maintain a consistent sleep environment for children, particularly during the longer daylight hours of a New Zealand summer. They also provide good insulation for keeping the room warm overnight in winter.
Layering Blockout Curtains with Sheers
A double track system allows you to hang a sheer curtain at the front and a blockout curtain at the rear. This gives you two options in one window: filtered natural light and privacy during the day, or complete darkness and insulation at night. Layering is a popular choice in bedrooms and living rooms throughout New Zealand, and works with most heading styles.
Heading Styles for Blockout Curtains
Blockout curtains can be made in any of our heading styles. The heading you choose affects how the curtain hangs, folds and stacks when open. Popular choices include triple pleat for a structured, formal look, pencil pleat for a classic gathered finish, and serpentine wave for a clean, contemporary line. Your consultant can recommend a heading style based on your fabric, room and personal preference.
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Be Inspired by Our Fabric Gallery
A blockout lining can be added to almost any fabric in our range. Browse our fabric gallery to explore colours, textures and designs for your blockout curtains.
Common Questions About Blackout Curtains
What is the difference between blackout and blockout curtains?
They are the same thing. "Blackout" and "blockout" are both used in New Zealand to describe curtains with a lining that blocks light completely. We use both terms and our consultants can help you choose the right lining for your needs.
Can I add a blockout lining to any fabric?
Yes. Our fabric range is extensive and most fabrics can be paired with a blockout lining. There are some considerations depending on the fabric you choose, but your consultant will walk you through the options and help you find the best combination to achieve the look and finish you want. You are welcome to explore our fabric gallery online or visit a showroom to see and feel the range in person.
Are blockout curtains good for insulation?
Yes. The dense lining that blocks light also acts as an insulating layer, helping to retain heat in winter and reduce heat gain in summer. For maximum insulation, a thermal lining or a combined blockout and thermal lining is available.
Can I combine blockout curtains with sheers?
Yes. A double track system lets you layer a sheer curtain at the front with a blockout curtain at the rear, giving you flexible light control throughout the day.
Do you make blockout curtains for homes outside Christchurch?
Yes. All curtains are made at our Christchurch workroom and delivered nationwide. We have showrooms in Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown, Wanaka, Wellington, Hamilton and Mount Maunganui, and offer an in-home design service in Timaru, serving the wider South Canterbury region.
How long does it take to get blockout curtains made?
Most custom curtain orders are completed within 6 to 12 weeks from confirmation. Your consultant will provide an estimated timeline during the consultation.
