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  • Elevate Your Space with Cassette Blackout Blinds

    Elevate Your Space with Cassette Blackout Blinds

    Welcome to Direct Fabrics, where we take immense pride in presenting our exceptional cassette blackout blinds systems. These blinds are an embodiment of sophistication, nestled within a beautifully framed box. Whether you opt to install them inside or outside your window recess, the outcome is always impressive. The frame encompasses the entire blind, complete with side channels that create a seamless look, culminating in a sleek bottom bar. The result? A room-darkening solution that offers a polished finish, although it doesn't provide total blackout. Let's delve deeper into the details.

    Battling the Light Leaks

    One of the persistent challenges in achieving a complete blackout in a room is the pesky light leakage around curtains or blinds. Here at Direct Fabrics, we've mastered the art of mitigating this issue. In our demonstration, you'll notice a bold black fabric adorning one of our office walls. While it's not total blackout just yet, we've added a lining behind the curtain to demonstrate that even with eyelets, we can come incredibly close to complete darkness.

    The magic ingredient here is our Utopia blackout fabric, which features a white backing. This fabric has undergone rigorous testing, showcasing its ability to reflect 85% of heat out of the room. Additionally, our cassette system plays a pivotal role in creating an air pocket behind the blind, contributing to its insulation properties.

    Unveiling the Cassette System

    Now, let's take a closer look at our sophisticated cassette system. The chain on our demonstration unit is a bit shorter than the standard, as it's merely a mockup. Under normal circumstances, the chain's mounting height is set at 210 cm, while child safety requirements mandate positioning the chain 150 cm above the floor. To elevate room darkening further, we've meticulously applied Mastick to seal around the blind. This extra effort ensures optimal performance, as you'll soon witness.

    Video Overview: Cassette Blackout Blinds

    A Seamless Descent

    The operation of our cassette blackout blinds is remarkably smooth and efficient. As we draw the blind down, your attention will be drawn to the bottom bar, equipped with brushes designed to offer additional light protection. As the blind descends, you'll observe minimal light seepage around the edges.

    We decided to put our hand right in front of the blind, and guess what? It's challenging to discern any light seeping through. The brightness of our fire escape lights and the faint light seepage around the doors barely registers. With these blinds in place, you can expect an environment in which you can sleep soundly. We estimate the blackout level to be around 98-99%, making these blinds ideal for cinema rooms, baby nurseries, or any space where you desire a beautifully dark atmosphere.

    Your Cassette Blackout Blinds' Quality Guaranteed

    At Direct Fabrics, we don't just stop at sophistication and elegance. We take immense pride in the durability of our products. That's why all our blinds come with a generous long-life guarantee. What's more, we offer free samples, quotations, and a swift delivery service, typically within five to seven working days. Rest assured, all our blinds are manufactured right here in the UK.

    Get in Touch

    If you have any questions or need more information about our cassette blackout blinds, please don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated team. At Direct Fabrics, we look forward to assisting you with all your room-darkening needs. Thank you for considering us as your trusted source for sophisticated, elegant, and efficient window coverings.

  • School Stage Curtain Installation by Direct Fabrics in Bristol

    School Stage Curtain Installation by Direct Fabrics in Bristol

    Recently Direct Fabrics recently completed an impressive stage and curtain installation project for a school in Bristol. This blog post delves into the details of this project, showcasing the quality of work, materials used, and the overall success of the installation.

    Video

    Heavy-Duty Stage Curtain Track

    At the heart of this project was the use of a heavy-duty curtain stage track, reverse mounted with tape on the face of the curtain. This approach allowed for a secure and aesthetically pleasing installation. The heavy-duty tracking provided stability and durability, making it perfect for a school setting.

    The 540 cm long rail was accompanied by a pair of curtains, each with double fullness. This choice not only added a touch of elegance to the stage but also ensured a full and luxurious look.

    Smooth Operation

    One of the highlights of this installation was the smooth operation of the curtains. They were designed to open and close using a thick, heavy-duty cord, ensuring that they operated seamlessly across the entire length of the stage. The curtains hung beautifully, enhancing the overall appearance of the stage.

    Balance for a Finishing Touch

    To complete the look, a valance was added to dress the top of the curtains. The valance was attached using Velcro, providing a neat and polished finish. This detail not only enhanced the aesthetics but also added a touch of professionalism to the stage.

    Backdrop and Side Tabs

    The client had plans to expand the stage's capabilities by adding backdrops and side tabs. Although the existing stage was functional, it was clear that there were more possibilities for enhancing the school's events. Direct Fabrics' installation provided a solid foundation for these future additions.

    Blinds and Child Safety

    In addition to the stage and curtains, Direct Fabrics also installed blinds throughout the school's hall. These blinds were equipped with flame-retardant child safety clips to ensure the safety of the school's young occupants. All 150 blinds were hung neatly and dressed beautifully, contributing to the overall aesthetics of the hall.

    Client Satisfaction

    The school was delighted with the outcome of this project. The combination of the stage, curtains, blinds, and safety measures ensured that the school's events would be both visually appealing and safe for the students. The client's satisfaction was evident, and they were already considering additional enhancements to further elevate their stage.

    Conclusion: Stage Curtain School in Bristol

    All in all, Direct Fabrics' successful stage curtain installation in Bristol showcased the company's commitment to quality and attention to detail. This project not only met the client's current needs but also provided a foundation for future improvements. The smooth operation, use of heavy-duty materials, and child safety measures all contributed to the success of this installation, making it an excellent example of Direct Fabrics' expertise in this field.

  • Understanding Acoustics: How Curtains Can Improve Your Space

    Understanding Acoustics: How Curtains Can Improve Your Space

    Understanding Acoustics: How Curtains Can Improve Your Space

    Welcome to Direct Fabrics, where we're dedicated to helping you in understanding acoustics and how our products can make a difference in your living or working space. In this blog post, we will simplify the concept of acoustics, explain the importance of sound absorption and insulation, introduce you to our range of acoustic curtains, and guide you on choosing the right curtain for your specific needs.

    Understanding the Issues

    When it comes to acoustics, many people face various challenges in their living and working environments. These issues can include:

    1. Noise entering your room or space.
    2. Noise escaping from your space.
    3. Poor acoustics during rehearsals or recordings.
    4. Difficulty sleeping due to external noise, such as traffic, planes, or trains.
    5. Echoey and large spaces that affect sound quality.

    Who Are We, and How Can We Help?

    Edward Simon, Director of Direct Fabrics, found himself drawn into the world of acoustics due to the high demand for products like stage curtains and Hotel Co. We have been supplying curtains to care homes, schools, medical centres across the UK, and even global clients. Our commitment lies in providing clear information and certified products, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.

    Understanding Acoustics

    Sound absorption is a crucial concept in acoustics. It refers to the ability of materials to absorb sound, reducing echo and reverberation in a space. Even seemingly simple items like curtains can contribute to sound absorption. Adding soft furnishings, such as rugs, carpets, and curtains, can dampen sound and improve the acoustics in a room.

    Testing and Certification

    Our products undergo rigorous testing, including the EN ISO 354 acoustic absorption test. This test quantifies the sound absorption properties of materials, rating them from A to E, with A being the highest rating. Our face fabric achieves an impressive absorption rate of 0.95, which is equivalent to an A rating.

    Sound Transmission and Acoustic Insulation

    Another important aspect of acoustics is sound transmission and understanding acoustics insulation. We test our products to evaluate how much sound they block and how effectively they insulate a space. For instance, our herringbone-lined curtain, combined with our blackout fleece, achieved an 11-decibel reduction in sound transmission.

    Innovative Testing

    We also conducted unique tests, such as mounting curtains over windows to measure their impact. This test resulted in a 4-decibel improvement in sound insulation, which, although not drastic, can make a noticeable difference in reducing noise from outside sources.

    Frequently Asked Questions: Understanding Acoustics

    We've compiled some common questions about our curtains:

    1. Will the curtains reduce road noise?
      • Yes, our curtains can reduce road noise, yes, the curtain has been tested with double glazing to reduce external sound. See our review on the product page for success stories.
    2. Does doubling the product improve performance?
      • Doubling the product does not necessarily double the performance. The sound reduction follows a logarithmic scale, so the improvements are less dramatic with additional layers.
    3. Can the curtains stop sound from office doors?
      • While they can help, doors require specific soundproofing measures such as seals or heavier doors for better results.
    4. Will the curtains stop sound from passing between rooms?
      • Our curtains add an extra layer of insulation, reducing sound transfer between rooms. However, results vary based on wall composition.
    5. Do blackout curtains work well for acoustics?
      • Yes, our blackout curtains can help with acoustics due to their absorption properties and thickness.

    Choosing the Right Curtain

    To select the right curtain, consider your specific needs:

    • One-layer curtains are ideal for reducing echo and reverberation.
    • Two-layer curtains strike a balance between cost and performance.
    • Three-layer curtains, with two layers of lining, offer maximum sound absorption and insulation.

    Conclusion

    Direct Fabrics offers a range of certified curtains designed to improve acoustics in various spaces. While curtains may not work miracles, they can make a noticeable difference in reducing noise and improving sound quality. Contact our team for free samples, quotes, and personalized recommendations. We're here to help you find the perfect acoustic curtain for your needs. Thank you for reading!

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