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Short answer
Curtains are very good at reducing echo inside a room, and they soften outside noise a little, but no curtain is soundproof. The heavier, denser and fuller the curtain, the more it helps: lined or interlined velvets and heavy blackouts work best, hung wall to wall and floor to ceiling with the edges sealed. Most outside noise comes through the window itself, so for a big reduction you need better glazing or seals as well.
Two kinds of noise
| Noise | What curtains do | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Echo inside the room | Soft fabric absorbs sound bouncing off glass, tiles and bare walls | A lot; rooms feel noticeably calmer |
| Noise from outside | Adds a soft layer over the window | A little; traffic and voices sound softer, not gone |
Condos with tiled floors, large windows and minimal furniture often sound echoey. Curtains are one of the simplest fixes.
What makes a curtain quieter
- Weight and density. Heavy, tightly woven fabrics absorb more sound than light, open ones. Velvet's dense pile is especially good.
- Layers. A lining, and even more an interlining between face and lining, adds mass and absorption. See Curtain Lining.
- Fullness. Deep folds trap more sound than a flat curtain. Use 2 to 2.5 times the track width.
- Coverage. Wall to wall and floor to ceiling covers more glass and wall, and leaves fewer gaps.
- Sealing. A ceiling track, returns at the sides and an overlap in the centre stop sound leaking round the edges.
Fabrics that help most
| Fabric | Echo | Outside noise |
|---|---|---|
| Lined or interlined velvet | Excellent | Best of the curtain options |
| Coated blackout | Good | Good; the coating adds mass |
| Heavy dimout, lined | Good | Some |
| Unlined dimout | Moderate | Little |
| Sheer | A little | Very little |
In the JOTEX range, VELVET and CINEMA are dense polyester velvets of about 280 gsm, and TEKUSU MIDORI a silicon-backed blackout of about 400 gsm. See Velvet Curtains.
Rooms where it matters
- Bedrooms on busy roads: heavy lined curtains soften traffic and help sleep; add a blackout for darkness.
- Media rooms: velvet or lined blackout absorbs sound and reflections.
- Open-plan condos: curtains, rugs and soft furniture together tame echo.
- Offices and meeting rooms: curtains reduce echo for clearer calls.
- Hotels: heavy lined curtains are part of a quiet guest room. See Hotel and Office Curtain Fabric.
When you need more than curtains
Most outside noise comes through the glass and the gaps around the window frame. For a real reduction, check the window seals, consider laminated or double glazing, and seal gaps around air-conditioner pipes. Curtains then add a final soft layer and deal with the echo.
Good to know
Products sold as "soundproof curtains" can reduce noise, but no curtain soundproofs a room. Be wary of large claims without a test figure.
Frequently asked questions
Do curtains reduce noise?
They greatly reduce echo inside a room and soften outside noise a little. Heavy, lined, full curtains that cover the whole window help most, but no curtain is soundproof.
What curtains are best for noise?
Heavy, dense fabrics such as lined or interlined velvet and coated blackouts, hung wall to wall and floor to ceiling with generous fullness.
Do blackout curtains reduce noise?
Coated blackouts help a little more than ordinary curtains because the coating adds mass. They mainly reduce light and heat.
Does interlining help with noise?
Yes. An interlining between the face fabric and the lining adds mass and absorption, which helps both echo and outside noise.
Why is my condo so echoey?
Hard surfaces such as tiles, glass and bare walls reflect sound. Curtains, rugs, cushions and upholstered furniture absorb it.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.