acoustic curtain or acoustic?

The terms “acoustic curtain,” “soundproof curtain,” and “noise-reducing curtain” are often used as if they meant the same thing. In practice, they refer to two distinct physical phenomena, measured by two different standards. Confusing the two means running the risk of purchasing a product that does not address the problem you are trying to solve.

acoustic curtain : Improving acoustic comfort inside the room

acoustic curtain s affect soundabsorption. They capture some of the sound energy that is reflected off the walls and reduce reverberation—that echo effect that makes a room tiring to be in, where voices carry, and where you have to turn up the volume on the TV.

This is useful in spaces with hard surfaces: tile floors, large windows, bare walls, reflective ceilings, and minimalist furniture. New homes and contemporary renovations are particularly prone to this.

The measured value is called the absorption coefficient, according to ISO 354. It does not indicate the ability to block noise coming from outside.

soundproof curtain : reduce some of the noise that passes through

A sound soundproof curtain e addressessound transmission. It creates a fabric barrier in front of a weak spot—such as a window, door, picture window, or hallway door—to reduce the sound energy passing through it.

This is the relevant rating when noise comes from outside: traffic, scooters, voices on the street, common areas. It is measured according to the NBN EN ISO 10140-2 standard and is expressed as an overall Rw rating along with its adjustment factors C and Ctr.

The two standards do not measure the same thing

This is the point that most product sheets fail to mention. A manufacturer that provides a figure without specifying the standard is deliberately leaving room for ambiguity.

A highly absorbent material can significantly improve the listening experience in a room without reducing street noise. Conversely, a thick, heavy curtain can be effective in front of a window without doing anything to reduce reverberation.

How to Identify Your Actual Needs

Here's a simple test: Open the window, then close it.

• The noise is significantly reduced but remains bothersome —sound comes in through the window. Custom- soundproof curtain is a good solution.
• The noise hardly changes when the window is closed —it’s probably coming through a wall, ceiling, floor, or the roller shutter box. The curtain alone won’t be enough.
• The room sounds hollow, and voices carry —it's a reverberation problem. Look for sound-absorbing materials: textiles, rugs, furniture.

What Really Determines the Outcome

A soundproof curtain 's performance in the lab and its effectiveness in your home are two different things. The discrepancy is almost always due to four leakage points.

The roller shutter box. It is the main sound bridge in a window. Located just above the glass, it creates a direct path to the outside. The shutter can only compensate for this if it extends beyond the box—ideally all the way to the ceiling.

Side leaks. If the curtain doesn't extend far enough, sound will escape around the sides of the fabric. Allow for a minimum overhang of 15 to 20 cm on each side.

The air gap. A curtain pressed against the window loses some of its effectiveness. A distance of 10 to 15 cm between the fabric and the window is recommended.

The mounting method. The track ensures a smoother closure than an eyelet rod, whose ripples reduce the actual width covered.

That is why a curtain made to the exact dimensions of the opening looks better than the same fabric sold in a standard size.

What a Curtain Won't Do

Let's be clear: no curtain can make a room quiet, and none can replace building insulation.

If the noise is coming from a shared wall, a floor, structural vibrations, or a mechanical ventilation system, a soundproof curtain won’t make a difference—no matter how heavy it is. A salesperson who promises you otherwise is selling you a false hope.

The Cotton Silence Case

Cotton Silence is a sound-attenuating curtain, not a sound-absorbing one. It is designed for homeowners who want to improve comfort in front of a window, door, or picture window.

The 4-layer composite was tested by the independent laboratory Daidalos Peutz (Belgium), which is BELAC-accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, in accordance with the NBN EN ISO 10140-2:2010 standard:

• Overall index: Rw (C; Ctr) = 14 (−1; −3) dB
• Maximum attenuation: 28.2 dB at 5,000 Hz*
• Mass of the assembly: approximately 1.35 kg/m², finished curtain
• Report No. A-2020LAB-060-I766-44092_E — available upon request

We are intentionally publishing both values. The Rw describes efficiency across the entire spectrum; the 28.2 dB is a peak value measured at a specific frequency. Presenting them separately, without specifying the frequency, would be misleading.

Each custom-acoustic curtain e is manufactured to the exact dimensions of the opening to be covered, including overhangs and overlap. For complete details on the tests and the three available configurations, refer to the documentation that a reputable manufacturer should provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

acoustic curtain And soundproof curtain —is that the same thing?

No. Sound absorption coefficient ( acoustic curtain ) measures the absorption of sound within a room (ISO 354). Sound transmission coefficient ( soundproof curtain ) measures the amount of sound that passes through an opening (ISO 10140-2). These two measures are not interchangeable.

Is a thick curtain enough?

Thickness alone is not a reliable indicator. What matters is the weight per unit area of the finished curtain and its construction. Many product descriptions list the weight of the fabric alone (300 to 500 g/m²), which is not comparable to the weight of the assembled curtain.

What kind of discount can you expect at home?

This cannot be guaranteed in advance. The result depends on the glazing, the seals, the roller shutter box, the overhang, and the installation. A laboratory measurement indicates potential performance, not a contractual promise.

Should we use a track or grommets?

A track provides a smoother closure and a better drape on a heavy curtain. Eyelets are still an option, but their ruffles reduce the actual width covered; in that case, allow for a greater width.

See the custom Cotton Silence acoustic curtain Read the FAQ

*Maximum sound reduction of 28.2 dB measured at the Daidalos Peutz accredited laboratory (report no. A-2020LAB-060-I766-44092_E) in accordance with the NBN EN ISO 10140-2:2010 standard, at high frequencies (5,000 Hz). Overall Rw rating (C; Ctr) = 14 (−1; −3) dB. Actual sound reduction depends on the environment, installation, sealing around the opening, and room configuration.