(2 pack) Eclipse Samara Solid Blackout Curtains, Single Curtain Panel, 54 Inch Long Blackout Curtains, 37" W x 54" L, Gray

I live in the deep south where the weather is very hot and humid and lately we have had triple digit temperatures. I live in an older apartment that is not well insulated. It was an old Army Barracks that were turned into cute 1-bedroom apartments. It does not have central A/C. I have a wall unit that cools down the living room /dinning area. I normally keep it around 73 degrees in the apartment during the summer months. The afternoon sun shines directly on my living room and bedroom windows which increases the temp in the apartment and also causes my A/C to kick on more often than I would like it to. To hang these curtains because they are just a little bit heavier I would suggest using a round curtain rod. I first tried to use just a standard cheap aluminum white rod and the curtains were a little to heavy for the rod. It would work but you would need a support hook for the middle of the rod to set on to give it a little more sturdiness to hang the curtains. Otherwise the rod would bow in the middle from opening and closing the curtain. In the picture I am using a 1" round rod that I had. I measured the width of the opening on the curtain to insert the rod and the opening is 2" wide. I would use a larger round rod than I presently hung the curtain on so they would hang and look better to the window. I have had the curtain hanging for 6 days now. In the picture you can see the sun hitting the window. One nice feature is the backing is not black so some light does come through them when closed. I have not bought black out curtains before because all I could find is curtains with a black backing and I don't want my windows looking black from the outside. The backing is a light pinkish color to go with the purple color of the curtain. I personally would prefer a white backing. But since I also have mini blinds to the window the light pink color isn't that noticeable from looking at the window from the outside.. Also, the back doesn't feel like a plastic coating. It is made of a soft material. The Eclipse Curtains appear to be well made. No spots with loose stitching and they have two slots for the rod to go. You can use the second slot to have them gathered on the rod at the top to give the window a more fancier look or you can use the first slot to hang straight across but you would have to use a 1" rod or small for that. I have timed my A/C for when it comes on and I must say since putting these curtain up that I have kept closed for the past 6 days. I feel a difference in the temp in my living and dinning room. My A/C prior would come on every 23.5 minutes running approx 17 minutes to cool it back down to 73 degree which I have the A/C set to. With the Eclipse curtains closed the A/C now comes on every 34 minutes and is running approx. 11 minutes. So is definitely a difference how often my A/C is running. I am going to order the right length and color for both my living room and bedroom to use to keep the heat out. I would recommend these curtain.

I had bought some of these from the store several yrs ago (see earlier review) and finally decided a few of my other drafty windows needed these. I bought 6 of the stone blue 63" ones for my breakfast nook area. I love the color but, it is a little darker than the pic. These are also very stiff and even after washing (on gentle) they still have some wrinkles. As i remember this takes a few weeks to hang out. I am not disappointed. Wish they had more colors and patterns for this price....also a wider panel would be good for some windows but at less than $10.00 a panel these will do. I will be buying a set for my slider door next.