Choosing curtains for your home can be overwhelming. It is understandable to feel overwhelmed, given that there are literally hundreds of fabrics and options to choose from. The one choice that often comes into debate is the floor to ceiling blackout curtains vs. the sunward curtains. Both of these window coverings offer their own unique benefits and purposes. The right choice depends on your needs, like visual appeal, insulation, light, and privacy control. Today, we will be talking specifically about floor to ceiling blackout curtains vs standard curtains and what the difference is between the two.

What Are Floor To Ceiling Blackout Curtains?

To know the functionality of the curtain is to know the curtain itself. A floor to ceiling blackout window dressing is a long, continuous fabric panel. This panel extends from just a little below the ceiling or the ceiling itself, as it flows all the way down to the floor. These curtains are designed to have blackout linings that block 99.99% of light inflow. These are popular for bedrooms, home theaters, and luxury spaces.

What Are Standard Curtains?

Standard curtains, as the name implies, can refer to any type of curtain made from any fabric. They are usually hung a few inches above your window frame or at the windowsill. For the windowsill, the fitting can be below it or slightly above the floor. These window dressings come in a variety of materials, like sheer, cotton, polyester, & others. You can choose them based on their functionality in terms of light filtration or blockout.

Differences Between Floor-to-Ceiling Blackout Curtains vs Standard Curtains

For your better understanding, here are the eight differences between floor-to-ceiling blackout vs. standard curtains. Knowing these differences will help you make a better choice of buying either one for your living spaces.

1. Light Control

The blackout curtains are the superior option for the purpose of blocking sunlight completely from your room. They cover the window as well as its surrounding area. This feature eliminates the chance for the light to seep in from the sides or the top. This property alone makes it a suitable choice for the bedrooms, nurseries and home theaters.

Your standard curtains, even with the blackout linings, do allow some light to enter from the edges. They can be an acceptable choice for the bedrooms and living rooms.

2. Insulation and Energy Efficiency

Curtains are not there just for privacy from the outside view. Their fabrics also work as thermal insulators. A floor to ceiling blackout drape will do a better seal against the hot & cold air, adding to the room’s thermal efficiency. This thermal control offers lower energy consumption.

A standard curtain also provides an insulation effect, but the coverage will be less efficient compared to blackout curtains. There will be gaps at the bottom and top areas, from where the air will flow in.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

Any floor to ceiling window coverage creates a dramatic effect that is stylish and elegant. These curtains will enhance the room’s height by making the ceilings appear taller and giving the space a more refined look. Professionally designed, these curtains become a statement of luxury style for modern interiors.

Stranded window coverings are also stylish, but they do not have the same visual impact as the floor-to-ceiling ones. You can have them for a casual room setting where the curtains don’t need to be the center of attention.

4. Installation

Installation of the floor to ceiling curtains is a complex task and requires professional help. You will need longer curtain rods that are designed for ceiling mounting, along with specialized hardware. The cost for the specialized hardware is significantly higher, but the other benefits make the cost justified.

The standard curtains are a bit easier to install, as the curtain rod needs to be fixed just a few inches above your window frame. This feature makes these standard drapes a perfect choice for renters or people who need a quick curtain-fitting service.

5. Privacy Levels

There is no debate on this matter; when it comes to privacy, the clear winner is the floor to ceiling blackout curtains. They will eliminate all views from the outside, which makes them ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.

The problem with standard curtains is that for privacy, you need to have them lined with a blackout fabric. Plus, the installation must have minimal gaps. If there’s no proper lining, the outside world can view your silhouettes and movements.

6. Maintenance & Cleaning

A large curtain, like the floor to ceiling window drapes, is more susceptible to collecting dust and dirt. As such, the cleaning can be a real hassle for you. You might even need to hire a professional curtain cleaner, especially if the fabric is delicate or the panels are too large for machine washing.

Standard curtains are much easier to clean. Most of these are machine washing safe due to their smaller size, allowing you to save cleaning costs.

7. Customization Options

If you want a custom look for your curtains, floor to ceiling blackout curtains offer more design customization options. You can have them made in fabrics like silk, velvet, and linen with a specialized blackout lining. They can also be paired with sheer curtains or valances for a hotel like finish.

Standard curtains are often the ready-made options. Some curtain stores do offer a range of customizations, but they will still be limited.

8. Ideal Rooms for Each Curtain Type

Floort o ceiling blackout curtains are perfect for places that require light blockage and a privacy effect. The popular choices for this include bedrooms, living rooms, kids rooms, luxury lounges, hotel guest rooms, and high ceiling spaces.

Standard curtains are the perfect choice for the guest rooms, hallways, casual sitting rooms, and kitchens.

Final Thoughts

The choice between the floor to ceiling blackout curtains and standard curtains depends on your choice. If you want a luxury look with superior light & privacy control, the floor-to-ceiling curtains are for you. For those of you who value simplicity, affordability, and a casual charm, standard curtains are for you. To choose better, you must know the features of each curtain. Our guide on floor to ceiling blackout curtains vs. standard curtains would offer a better comparison to make your choice easier.