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How to Choose Your Curtain & Rod Size

by Travis Blackout Expert in Product Guides

 

How to Choose Your Curtain Size

Each Sleepout curtain is 52″ wide. Follow these steps before installing your curtain rod.

Step 1: Plan Your Rod Width

Measure the window frame from edge to edge, then add at least 12″ so the rod extends 6″ past each side.

Window width + 12″ = planned rod width

Step 2: Choose 2 or 4 Curtains

  • Rod up to 52″: Choose 2 curtains

  • Rod wider than 52″: Choose 4 curtains

This gives the curtains enough fabric to create a full, gathered look when closed.

Step 3: Choose Your Length

Sleepout curtains are available in 64″, 84″, 96″ and 108″ lengths.

84″ is the most common choice, but taller windows and ceilings may need 96″ or 108″ curtains.

Step 4: Buy Your Curtains Before Installing the Rod

Order your curtains first. Once they arrive, place them on the rod and hold them where you want the curtains to end—typically just above the floor.

Mark the bracket position, then install the rod at that height. This ensures your curtains hang at exactly the right length.

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What Is Sleepout Fabric Made Of? Blackout, Safety, and Care

Sleepout® fabric is a proprietary synthetic, polyester-based weave. The sewn-in label reads “100% polyester.” It combines full blackout performance, durability, portability, and low chemical emissions. 100% blackout Sleepout fabric blocks 100% of light—not “mostly” or “almost.” It can make a room dark during the day, helping cue the body to rest and making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Thermal and noise insulation The dense fabric provides thermal insulation, helping keep a room cooler in summer and warmer in winter. It also dampens outside noise for a quieter sleep environment. Although blackout fabrics can absorb heat, Sleepout curtains use an HOA-approved white backing that reflects sunlight rather than absorbing it. Feel, durability, portability, and care The fabric is softer than stiff or plastic-feeling blackout materials and is designed for durability. It is lightweight, foldable, machine-washable, and suitable for travel, hotels, or anywhere you need a dark sleep space. It works with Sleepout curtain products, including Sleepout Portable. Material and safety rationale Sleepout chose a proprietary polyester-based weave to avoid harmful treatments and chemical residues while maintaining blackout performance and durability. Cotton, linen, and other “natural” curtain fabrics can require processing such as: Formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance and shape retention Plastic-based coatings to stabilize fibers Sterilization chemicals during finishing A “100% cotton” label may not account for synthetic additives, and some natural-fiber curtains fail standards such as GREENGUARD Gold because of formaldehyde and other toxins. Sleepout's polyester construction is the only approach the company found that met its safety and performance goals. Certifications and chemical safety Sleepout fabric is lab-tested, certified non-toxic, and hypoallergenic. It is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified at Class I, meaning it has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for babies and sensitive individuals. It is the world's only blackout fabric with that OEKO-TEX® certification and was the first blackout fabric to meet the standard. Sleepout curtains are the world's only blackout curtains certified GREENGUARD Gold by UL. Sleepout owns the GREENGUARD Gold certification. The exact fabric customers receive—not merely a similar material—has been tested for more than 15,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). GREENGUARD Gold certification indicates low chemical emissions and suitability for indoor environments. Sleepout fabric is completely free of formaldehyde and is the world's only blackout fabric to make that claim. Its polyester-based synthetic blend avoids the dangerous formaldehyde levels found in other curtains. While heat can cause other blackout fabrics to off-gas harmful chemicals, Sleepout curtains are designed to remain safe in direct sunlight without releasing dangerous fumes into the sleep space.

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