Made-to-measure care home curtains: soundproof, blackout, fire-resistant.
Older residents in care homes (French EHPAD) have lighter, more noise-sensitive sleep than the general population: the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a night-time sound level below 30 dB to ensure restorative sleep. Made-to-measure contract curtains meet the acoustic, blackout, thermal comfort and fire-safety requirements specific to medical and social-care facilities at the same time.
Kurtens equips care homes and retirement homes with made-to-measure contract curtains: acoustic insulation up to 22 dB*, thermal up to 7°C*, 100% blackout*, M1 (French fire-safety classification) certification on request. Quote within 24h.
Resident comfort is central to quality of life in care homes. A noisy, poorly darkened or thermally uncomfortable environment directly affects the sleep, well-being and health of the elderly people in residence.
Sleep. Care home residents often experience fragmented, lighter sleep. Hallway noise, alarms, doors and night-time interventions disrupt their rest. A high-density technical curtain can cut up to 22 dB* of incident noise in the room, significantly reducing perceived disturbance. Total blackout (100%*) supports falling asleep and limits early waking caused by outside light.
Thermal comfort. Elderly people are more sensitive to temperature changes. Windows are a major point of heat loss, especially in older buildings. A high-density thermal curtain can deliver up to 7°C* of measured gain between the window and the room, contributing to resident comfort and to controlling the facility's energy costs.
Acoustics in shared spaces. Dining rooms, lounges and activity rooms generate noise levels that hurt resident comfort and the quality of conversation. Suitable soundproof curtains reduce reverberation and improve speech intelligibility, an important factor for residents with hearing loss. To explore the applicable requirements and standards in more detail, see our complete guide to care home requirements for technical curtains.
Kurtens solutions by care home space
Every space in a care home has specific requirements for textile performance and fire regulations. Kurtens tailors production to the specifications of each zone.
| Space / Zone | Main need | Target performance | Fire standard | Kurtens solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident room (< 50 m²) | Blackout + silence + thermal | 100% + up to 22 dB* + 7°C* | No general requirement (AM 11-14). Type J requirements: order of 19 November 2001 [to be confirmed with inspection body] |
Made-to-measure curtain combining blackout, soundproof and thermal |
| Corridors and circulation areas | Fire safety | M1 or M2 rating | M2 required (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure fire-resistance class M1 curtain |
| Enclosed stairwells | Fire safety | M1 rating | M1 required (AM 12 a) | Certified fire-resistance class M1 curtain |
| Dining room (> 50 m²) | Acoustic + fire | Up to 22 dB* + M2 | M2 required (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure fire-resistant soundproof curtain |
| Lounge, shared living space | Thermal comfort + light | Thermal + adjustable blackout | M2 if > 50 m² (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure thermal blackout curtain |
| Activity room | Acoustics + light management | Up to 22 dB* | M2 if > 50 m² (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure soundproof curtain |
*Maximum production capacities. Final performance according to client specifications.
Care homes are classified as type J public-access buildings (facilities for elderly and disabled people). Curtains installed in common areas must meet a minimum fire-resistance class defined by the decree of 25 June 1980, articles AM 11 to AM 14, and the NF P 92-507 standard.
The M class runs from M0 (non-combustible) to M4 (highly flammable). For curtains in care homes, articles AM 11-14 require: M1 (non-flammable) in enclosed stairwells and on stages (AM 12 a, AM 13), and M2 (hardly flammable) in passageways, corridors and rooms larger than 50 m² (AM 12 b).
Point to watch: article AM 11 §1 prohibits placing hangings or curtains across passageways (corridors, circulation routes, emergency exits). The only exception: textile trims on fire doors, classified M2 minimum.
Care homes, as type J public-access buildings, are also subject to the decree of 19 November 2001, which may contain additional specific provisions. These provisions must be checked with your approved inspection body (Bureau Veritas, Apave, Socotec) for your facility.
Beyond the legal obligations, insurers may impose stricter requirements in the facility's multi-risk policy. The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) and the safety commissions also check compliance during periodic inspections. In practice, choosing an M1 class in every space secures the facility against all of these parties. For a detailed analysis of the M1 and M2 classes in public-access buildings, see our page dedicated to fire-retardant curtains for public-access buildings.
Kurtens offers M1 certification on request, included directly in the quote for your project.
| Category | Density | Sound reduction | Thermal gain | Blackout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard curtain | 150-300 g/m² | 5-7 dB | 1-2°C | 40-70 % |
| Mid-range | 300-500 g/m² | 12-18 dB | 2-4°C | 70-90 % |
| High performance | 500+ g/m² | 18-25 dB | 5-7°C | 95-100 % |
| Kurtens (production capacity) | Up to 620 g/m² | Up to 22 dB* | Up to 7°C* | Up to 100%* |
*Data from tests under optimal conditions. In B2B, performance is tailored to your specifications.
From defining the need to delivery, Kurtens supports every textile fit-out project in care homes with a team dedicated to professionals.
- Contact and defining the need: describe your project (number of rooms, common areas involved, regulatory or aesthetic constraints).
- Technical study and specifications: Kurtens analyzes the dimensions, the performance required per zone and the standards applicable to your facility.
- Detailed quote within 24h: full pricing including M1 certification if needed.
- Samples on request: fabrics and colors sent for approval before production starts.
- Made-to-measure manufacturing: production to your specifications, with a schedule defined together according to your facility's constraints.
- Delivery: Kurtens can recommend qualified partner installers for fitting if needed.
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Frequently asked questions about curtains for facilities.
Must care home curtains be fire-retardant?
It depends on the space. In corridors, passageways and rooms larger than 50 m² (dining room, lounge), the M2 class minimum is mandatory (decree of 25 June 1980, article AM 12). Enclosed stairwells require M1 (AM 12 a). For resident rooms under 50 m², articles AM 11-14 do not require a fire-resistance class for curtains, but insurers, the ARS and the safety commissions may require M1 or M2 in their inspections.
What sound reduction can you expect for resident rooms?
Kurtens can produce curtains reaching up to 22 dB* of acoustic attenuation, significantly reducing the noise perceived in the room (alarms, corridor noise, night-time interventions). The WHO recommends a level below 30 dB at night for quality sleep. The soundproof curtain is a complement to the building's structural insulation, not a replacement.
Are the curtains easy to wash for use in a care home?
Kurtens curtains are designed for maintenance in care settings. The washing conditions and cleaning frequency depend on the fabric chosen in your specifications. Detailed care information is supplied with every order. The M1 treatment, when built into the fibre of the fabric, withstands repeated washing.
Can the colors be customized to create a homely atmosphere?
Yes. In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications: fabrics, colors and finishes are defined according to your facility's project. The goal is to create a warm living environment for residents, far from the institutional look. Samples are available on request for approval before production begins.
Does Kurtens also equip senior residences and retirement homes?
Yes. Kurtens supplies every type of facility hosting elderly people: care homes, senior residences, assisted-living residences, retirement homes. Each project is adapted to the facility's specific needs and to its applicable regulations.
Is installation included?
Kurtens does not offer installation directly, but can recommend qualified partner installers to handle the setup in your facility.
How do you obtain M1 certification for care home curtains?
M1 certification is available on request and included in your project quote. It covers areas where fire-resistance class is mandatory (escape routes, common areas over 50 m², stairs) and areas where it is recommended as a precaution (rooms, lounges).
