Pinch Pleat Blackout Curtains

Pinch pleat blackout curtains in triple-weave 240 gsm cloth — three yarns woven with a black core (no coating) — blocking a measured 99.2% of light. Our pinch pleat blackout curtains are three-finger pleats on 4 in. buckram, hand-tacked at 2.2× fullness, supplied with pin hooks fitted and cut with a 3 in. chain-weighted hem.

Why pinch pleat is the top of the blackout heading hierarchy

There is a hierarchy of curtain headings for light control and pinch pleat sits at the top of it. The reason is structural. A pleated heading hangs from hooks behind the fabric, so the panel sits flat and continuous across the whole width — no scallops, no gap over a rod, nothing for light to come through at the header line.

Overlap arms on a track close the last gap

On a track with overlap arms it closes the last gap as well. The two panels cross at the center by two inches rather than meeting edge to edge, which removes the vertical line of light that runs down the middle of almost every closed pair of curtains. Combined with a return at each end, where the track curves back to the wall, that is as close to a sealed window as a curtain gets.

Triple-weave 240 gsm — woven, not coated

Three-finger pleats set on 4 in. buckram, hand-tacked, spaced to give a 2.2× fullness ratio at the finished width. Cloth is our triple-weave at 240 gsm — three yarns woven with a black core rather than a coating, blocking a measured 99.2% of light through the cloth. It drapes better than a coated fabric, it does not crack or peel with age, and it is machine washable, which a coated blackout is not.

Sizes, headings, colors

Supplied with pin hooks fitted, ready to hang on a standard track or on rings. Lengths 84, 96, 108 and 120 in.; widths made up in multiples of 52 in. so the pleat spacing stays even across any window.

Chain-weighted hem

Hem is 3 in. double-turned with a chain weight, deep enough to hang plumb and to take up an inch if your track sits slightly low. Colors: Alabaster, Bone, Fog Grey, Sable, Ink, Clay, Sage, Indigo and Moss.

The honest trade against grommets

The honest trade against grommets is installation. A pleated curtain wants a track rather than a decorative rod, it takes twenty minutes rather than two, and it costs more per panel because there is far more fabric in the heading. In exchange you get the darkest room a ready-made curtain can produce.

Pinch pleat blackout curtain size guide

How to care for your pinch pleat blackout curtains

• Remove pin hooks before washing
• Cold machine wash on gentle
• Hang to dry — never tumble (heat sets creases into triple-weave)
• Skip fabric softener — dulls the weave density

Frequently asked questions

Are pinch pleat blackout curtains darker than grommet?

Meaningfully — pleat sits flat, no scallop gaps at the header. With overlap arms on a track the center gap is closed too. Grommet’s the easiest, pleat’s the darkest.

What is triple-weave blackout?

Three yarns woven together with a black core, no coating. Blocks 99.2% light, drapes softer, machine-washable, doesn’t crack or peel with age.

Can I hang pinch pleat blackout curtains on a rod?

Yes — pin hooks fit into rings on a decorative rod, or directly on a track. Both work.

What fullness for pinch pleat blackout curtains?

2.2× the finished width. Enough to look properly full without over-stacking on a small track.

Complete the dark room

Pair with pinch pleat sheer curtains on an inner rail, custom blackout curtains for non-standard windows, and matching throw pillows.