Great Add on to Existing Home Theaters
Home theater curtains can completely change the look and feel of a dedicated theater room. They can frame a projection screen, cover the screen when it is not in use, block outside light, hide doors or equipment areas, and give the room the traditional appearance of a commercial cinema.
At HTmarket.com, we have been supplying custom home theater drapes and curtains for years, and the right setup really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. A curtain used to cover a projection screen has different requirements than a blackout curtain covering a window.
For a projection screen, one of the most popular setups is a pair of curtains that meet in the center and open to the left and right. This creates the classic movie theater effect and makes the screen reveal part of the experience. In this application, blackout lining usually is not necessary because the curtains are primarily decorative and are open while the projector is operating.
Windows are different. Ambient light can wash out a projected image and reduce perceived contrast, so blackout-lined theater curtains are usually the better choice. The blackout liner helps keep outside light from entering the room while the decorative velvet provides the finished theater appearance. Theater curtains can also be used to conceal equipment racks, doors, storage areas, architectural openings, or even entire side walls.
Choosing the Right Home Theater Curtain Fabric
Fabric makes a big difference in how theater curtains look. Heavier theater-style velvet creates deeper folds and a more substantial appearance than lightweight residential curtain material. Our HT Design Lux theater drapes are custom made for home theater applications and are available in a variety of colors that can coordinate with seating, carpeting, wall treatments, and other theater decor.
Black, burgundy, deep red, navy, and charcoal are common choices, although many modern theaters use darker neutral colors so the curtains visually disappear when the lights go down.
Understanding Curtain Fullness
One of the most important things to understand is curtain fullness. Fullness refers to the additional fabric used to create the folds and pleats in the curtain. A theater curtain should not simply be the same width as the opening it covers. Extra fabric creates the richer, finished appearance associated with theater drapes. Our custom curtains use traditional three-prong pinch pleats to create consistent folds across the drape.
Measure the Screen Width, Not the Diagonal
When measuring around a projection screen, use the actual horizontal width of the screen or frame, not the advertised diagonal screen size. A 120-inch diagonal screen is not 120 inches wide, so measuring the physical screen width is important when determining the curtain track or rod length.
Allow Enough Room for Curtain Stackback
You also need to allow for stackback. Stackback is the amount of space the curtains occupy when they are fully open. If the curtain rod is only slightly wider than the screen, part of the curtain may still cover the image when opened. The rod generally needs to extend beyond the screen on both sides so the curtains can stack completely outside the viewing area.
The amount of stackback depends on the screen width, fabric thickness, curtain fullness, and whether the system uses a center opening or a one-way draw.
One-Way Draw vs. Two-Way Draw Curtains
A two-way draw uses two curtain panels that meet in the middle and open toward both sides. This is the traditional choice for a projection screen. A one-way draw uses a single curtain that travels entirely toward one side and can work well for windows, doors, equipment areas, or layouts where most of the available stackback space is on one side.
Manual vs. Motorized Home Theater Curtains
Home theater curtains can be operated manually or with a motorized track. A manual traverse rod is simple, reliable, and economical, and it works well in many theater rooms.
Motorized theater curtains add another level to the experience. Press a button and the curtains open before the movie begins. HTmarket.com offers BTX motorized drapery tracks designed to move substantial drapery systems, which is important because theater-quality velvet curtains can be much heavier than ordinary household curtains.
Combine a motorized curtain with theater lighting and you can create a sequence where the lights dim, the curtains open, and the movie begins.
Curtain Height and Blackout Lining
Curtain height is another important detail. For floor-length drapes, you generally do not want the fabric dragging across the floor. Measure from the curtain rod or track to the floor and allow a small amount of clearance. For windows, the curtain should extend beyond the opening so light does not leak around the sides.
Blackout lining should be selected based on the application. It makes sense for windows or any opening where outside light needs to be controlled. It is usually unnecessary for curtains that simply cover a projection screen or provide decorative framing around the front of the theater.
Order Fabric Samples Before You Buy
Because computer monitors can display colors differently, we recommend ordering fabric samples before purchasing custom drapes. Room lighting, wall colors, carpeting, and theater seating can all affect how a fabric looks once it is installed.
Before ordering your home theater curtains, you should know the finished curtain height, screen or opening width, available wall space on each side, whether you want a one-way or two-way draw, whether the curtains will be manual or motorized, and whether blackout lining is required.
For additional measuring information, sizing help, stackback guidance, and curtain options, visit our Home Theater Drape Guide.
HTmarket.com offers custom home theater drapes, blackout curtains, manual curtain rods, and motorized curtain systems for dedicated home theaters and media rooms.