Two-layer curtains, sheer plus blackout: what they are, which layer goes where, and how the cost adds up

A single curtain forces a choice. A sheer on its own gives soft light by day, but at night with the lights on, people outside still see shapes inside. An opaque curtain on its own gives privacy when closed, and no daylight at all. Two layers solve that with two curtains that draw independently, so you close whichever one the time of day calls for.

What are two-layer curtains, and how do they differ from a single layer?

A two-layer curtain is two curtains on two tracks in the same set. One is a sheer, the other opaque, and each opens and closes on its own without the other having to move. It is routine curtain work for us, not a special order.

How do sheer and opaque curtain fabrics differ?

• Sheer — softens the light and still lets you see out. It gives daytime privacy, but it doesn't darken a room.
• Dim-out — cuts the light a great deal, though some still comes through the cloth.
• Blackout — an opaque cloth, the kind people choose for bedrooms.

So the opaque layer of a two-layer set can be dim-out or blackout, depending on how dark the room needs to be. One thing to know up front: two layers don't make a room darker than the opaque curtain alone. The darkness comes from the opaque fabric and how it is fitted, and the light that still gets in usually comes over the top of the track and through the centre join. If a truly dark bedroom is the main goal, read which bedroom curtains give the most darkness.

Which layer goes on which side?

The usual arrangement is the sheer as the inner layer and the opaque curtain as the outer one: the sheer hangs on the track nearer the glass, and the opaque curtain on the track on the room side. The reason is that the opaque curtain is the one you see from inside the room and the one that sets its look, and when closed it covers the sheer behind it completely. By day, with the opaque curtain open, the sheer next to the glass does the filtering. If your room has a reason to reverse them, raise it at the measure.

How much space do two-layer curtains need?

• The space at the top has to be deep enough for two tracks — they run side by side, so they come further out from the wall than a single track. If there is already a curtain box or ceiling recess, its depth has to be checked.
• The two curtains mustn't crowd each other — the folds of one layer shouldn't drag on the other as it moves, so the gap between the tracks depends on the heading and how thick the chosen fabrics are.
• The stack beside the window is thicker — with both layers open, two curtains gather on top of each other. The track should run past the glass, otherwise the fabric always covers part of the window.
• The fixings have to carry two curtains — where a track fixes into a plasterboard ceiling that needs a backing beam, that is 550 THB per metre.

We deliberately give no clearance figure here, because the space needed depends on the track and the fabrics chosen; the fitter measures it on site. Whether two layers will fit therefore comes down to the room above the glass and the ceiling structure. Send a photo of the top of the window first if you like. For rough widths and heights, see how to measure your own windows.

How do you pair the sheer with the opaque fabric?

• Choose the opaque fabric first — it is the most visible thing in the room. Then pick a sheer that goes with it.
• A pale sheer works with almost any opaque colour — white, cream or light grey are the safe choices, and the room gets more daylight than it would through a dark sheer.
• Look at the two fabrics together in the room's own light — a sheer changes colour with light behind it. We bring fabric samples to the on-site measure, so you can hold them up against the window.
• The two layers don't need the same heading, but they should sit well together. We make pinch pleat, taped wave, Roman fold and eyelet; the difference between the first two is covered in pleated vs wave curtains.

What do two-layer curtains cost, and how is it worked out?

There is no flat per-set price for two-layer curtains on this site. The cost is built from the units the shop already prices in. Curtain fabric is charged by the yard according to the grade you choose, from 350 THB a yard. Two layers means two curtains, so the total fabric is more than for a single layer; how the yards are counted is in how curtains are priced by the yard. The table below gives the starting prices for curtains, and for the motorized curtain track if you want the layers to run on a motor. Every figure is before VAT.

• Fabric for the sheer and fabric for the opaque layer — both by the yard. There are three grades: standard at 350 THB, mid grade at 480 THB and premium at 690 THB a yard. Which grade a fabric falls in is shown on the samples at the measure.
• Tracks — a two-layer curtain uses one track per layer. The price of a double track is quoted after the on-site measure.
• Fitting — 200 THB per unit, a flat 2,000 THB for fewer than 10 units, and free on orders over 20,000 THB.
• Site-dependent extras — taking down old curtains at 200 THB per unit, scaffolding for high ceilings at 500 THB per level, and backing beams for a plasterboard ceiling at 550 THB per metre.

If you want the two layers to run on a motor, the motorized curtain track supports two-layer work, since the tracks can run separately. The motorized track is priced per set by its length band, from 5,900 THB a set for a track of 1.00-1.49 m; that is the track with its motor, without fabric. Whether to motorize both layers, or one with the other drawn by hand, is something to ask about and check on site, and we make no promise on this page. Message us on LINE to ask. You will also need a socket near the end of the track, because we don't do electrical wiring; details are in what to prepare before a motorized track is installed.

The next step is to send rough sizes through the window size tool, or message us on LINE with a photo of the window. The room needs to be fully finished before the measure. The on-site measure costs 500-1,000 THB in Bangkok and the metro area and is credited back in full when you order. From confirming to fitted takes 7-14 days, depending on how many units.