Room darkening material and architectural covering made from same
A light blocking or blackout composite material is described. The light blocking material includes at least two metalized layers. In one embodiment, a polymer film is coated on both sides with a first metalized layer and a second metalized layer. The metalized layers may have matching or different optical densities. Other layers can be combined with the metalized layers in order to provide a finished surface and/or to protect the metalized layers.
1. A light blocking material for use in architectural coverings, the material comprising:
a polymer film having a first side and a second and opposite side, the second side of the polymer film forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material;
a single metalized layer, the single metalized layer being positioned on the first side of the polymer film, wherein the single metalized layer comprises a thickness of less than about 3000 angstroms;
a metal protective layer adhered to the single metalized layer, the metal protective layer comprising a cured polymer and having a basis weight of from about 0.5 gsm to about 5 gsm, the metal protective layer comprising a cross-linked film comprising an acrylic polymer; and
a finishing layer forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material opposite the exterior surface formed by the polymer film, the finishing layer comprising a fabric material or a colored polymer sealant layer.
2. The light blocking material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the metal protective layer has a basis weight of from about 0.5 gsm to about 2.5 gsm.
3. The light blocking material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the finishing layer comprises a fabric material, the fabric material being adhered to the metal protective layer by a polymer sealant layer.
4. The light blocking material as defined in claim 1 , wherein the material contains eight layers or less.
5. An architectural covering comprising:
a facing layer spaced from a backing layer, the backing layer being configured to face an architectural structure, the backing layer comprising the light blocking material as defined in claim 1 .
6. A light blocking material for use in architectural coverings, the material comprising:
a polymer film having a first side and a second and opposite side;
a first metalized layer directly adjacent to the first side of the polymer film;
a metal protective layer adhered to the first metalized layer, the metal protective layer comprising a cured polymer and having a basis weight of from about 0.5 gsm to about 5 gsm;
a polymer sealant layer applied to the metal protective layer;
a fabric material forming an exterior surface of the light blocking material, the fabric material being adjacent to the polymer sealant layer; and
a second metalized layer directly adjacent to the second side of the polymer film.
7. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the material contains 8 layers or less.
8. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the metal protective layer comprises a printed layer, the metal protective layer comprising a cross-linked film comprising an acrylic polymer.
9. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the metal protective layer has a basis weight of from about 0.5 gsm to about 2.5 gsm.
10. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the polymer sealant layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer having a melting point of less than 170° C.
11. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the polymer sealant layer comprises a polyethylene naphthalate.
12. The light blocking material as defined in claim 6 , wherein the second metalized layer forms an exterior surface of the light blocking material opposite the exterior surface formed by the fabric material.