Made-to-measure curtains for restaurants: soundproof, blackout, fire-resistant.
Noise is the second most frequent complaint in restaurants, cited by 25% of dissatisfied customers (Zagat study, 2018). Beyond acoustics, a restaurant has to manage overheating of shopfront windows in summer, heat loss in winter, fire-safety compliance for spaces larger than 50 m² and the look of the dining room. Made-to-measure contract curtains address these four constraints at the same time, with no building work and no closure of the premises.
Kurtens equips restaurants 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.
75 to 85 dB at peak hours: that is the sound level measured in a working restaurant, the equivalent of a vacuum cleaner running non-stop. But noise is not the only issue. Large storefront windows, typical of city-centre restaurants, are also the leading source of heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.
Acoustics. Conversations overlap, every guest speaks louder to be heard (the Lombard effect), and the noise level spirals upward. A high-density technical curtain on the windows reduces outside noise by up to 22 dB* and absorbs part of the indoor reverberation. For a detailed guide on restaurant acoustics, see our guide to soundproof curtains for restaurants.
Thermal. Large patio doors let heat in during summer (an overheated dining room, higher air-conditioning use) and cold in during winter (discomfort at tables near the windows, a higher heating bill). A technical curtain can deliver up to 7°C* of difference between the window and the dining room, reducing the venue's energy costs.
Light. Glare on a glazed terrace, direct light that bothers guests in late afternoon: a blackout curtain controls brightness according to the needs of each service. Kurtens curtains can reach 100% blackout*. Fire safety. Restaurant dining rooms larger than 50 m² are subject to a fire-classification requirement for curtains (M2 minimum under the order of 25 June 1980, article AM 12 b). Kurtens offers M1 or M2 certification on request.
| Area / Zone | Primary requirement | Target performance | Fire-safety standard | Kurtens solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main dining room (> 50 m²) | Acoustics + aesthetics | Up to 22 dB* | Class M2 required (M2 is a French fire-reaction class; AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure acoustic curtain, colour per specification |
| Large shopfronts / glazed bays | Thermal + street noise | Up to 7°C* + 22 dB* | Depending on room area | Curtain combining acoustic + thermal performance |
| Glazed terrace / conservatory | Summer overheating + noise | Thermal + acoustic | Class M2 if > 50 m² (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure thermal acoustic curtain |
| Private dining room | Insulation between zones | Acoustic + blackout | Class M2 if > 50 m² (AM 12 b) | Dense partition curtain (outside escape routes) |
| Enclosed stairwells | Fire safety | Class M1 | Class M1 required (AM 12 a) | Flame-retardant M1 curtain |
| Escape routes (corridors, halls) | Fire safety + aesthetics | Class M2 minimum | Class M2 required (AM 12 b) | Made-to-measure flame-retardant curtain |
*Maximum production capacities. Final performance according to client specifications.
| 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.
Restaurants are classified as public-access buildings (ERP). Curtains installed in shared areas must meet a minimum fire classification set by the order of 25 June 1980, articles AM 11 to AM 14, and standard NF P 92-507.
The requirements apply per area, whatever the type of public-access building:
- Rooms over 50 m² and circulation spaces: M2 minimum (AM 12 b). Almost every commercial restaurant exceeds 50 m² and is therefore subject to this requirement.
- Enclosed stairwells: M1 required (AM 12 a).
- Stages and platforms: M1 required (AM 13).
- AM 11 §1 prohibition: hanging curtains across circulation spaces (corridors, passageways, emergency exits) is strictly forbidden. A zone-dividing curtain must never block an evacuation route.
Beyond the legal requirement, insurers and inspection bodies (Bureau Veritas, Apave, Socotec) frequently recommend M1 classification in every area, including those with no regulatory obligation. In practice, choosing M1 protects the venue with all of these parties. For a detailed analysis of the M1 and M2 standards, see our page dedicated to fire-resistant curtains for public-access buildings.
Kurtens offers M1 certification on request, included directly in your project quote.
From defining your needs to delivery, Kurtens supports every restaurant curtain supply project with a team dedicated to professionals.
- Contact and needs assessment: describe your project (type of establishment, number of windows, areas concerned, aesthetic or regulatory constraints).
- Technical study and specifications: Kurtens analyzes the dimensions, the performance required for each zone and the standards applicable to your establishment.
- Detailed quote within 24h: full pricing including M1 certification if required.
- Samples on request: materials and colors sent for approval before production begins.
- Made-to-measure manufacturing: production to your specifications, with a schedule defined together based on your establishment's constraints.
- Delivery: Kurtens can recommend qualified partner installers for installation if needed.
Request a quote
Frequently asked questions about curtains for Restaurants.
What fire-resistance class for restaurant curtains?
Class M2 minimum for rooms larger than 50 m² and circulation areas (article AM 12 b of the order of 25 June 1980). Class M1 is mandatory in enclosed stairwells (AM 12 a) and on stages or platforms (AM 13). Class M1 is recommended in every space to protect your establishment against insurers and inspection offices. Kurtens provides M1 certification on request.
Can curtains reduce noise in a restaurant without building work?
Yes. A high-density technical curtain on the windows cuts outdoor noise by up to 22 dB* and absorbs part of the interior reverberation, reducing the perceived sound level by 3 to 6 dB in the dining room. It installs like an ordinary curtain, with no building work, no closure and no disruption to service.
Do curtains protect against heat on a glazed terrace?
A technical curtain can deliver up to 7°C* of gain between the window and the dining room. For restaurants with large patio doors or an enclosed terrace, it is an effective complement to air conditioning that reduces energy costs, particularly in summer.
Can the colors be customized for a restaurant?
In B2B, Kurtens manufactures to specifications: materials, colors and finishes are defined according to your establishment's visual identity. Samples are available on request for approval with your decorator or interior architect before production begins.
How do you maintain curtains in a restaurant?
Curtains close to the kitchen or the pass absorb cooking odors over time. A wash every 2 to 3 months (30°C, delicate cycle) is enough to remove the accumulated odors. The structural multilayer curtain withstands more than 50 washes with no loss of performance.
Can a curtain be used as a partition between two areas of the dining room?
Yes, a high-density curtain hung between two areas creates a visual and acoustic separation. It is a flexible solution that folds back when you need the full space (large groups, events). Note: the curtain must never block an exit or a circulation route (prohibited under AM 11 §1). It should be positioned between table areas, not across an evacuation passage.
Is installation included?
Kurtens does not offer installation directly, but can recommend qualified partner installers to handle the fitting in your establishment.
