Student-Proof Drapery & Matching Soft Furnishings
The specialist manufacturing partner for University Halls, PBSA, HMOs, and Independent Schools. We go beyond curtain supply by ensuring your curtains are optimised for compliance and aesthetics.
We check and refit if required tracks to ensure ensure they support the correctly sized curtain.
Custom-make curtains to the ideal size. We are untied to any fabric supplier. We use the best materials from any supplier, crafted with expert tailoring.
Simplify compliance and lower costs. Our fire-retardant curtains meet all safety standards while reducing long-term costs.
Lower Re-Proofing Costs
We help you select the right standard for every room. Choose Treated (Type B) to maximize aesthetics in boarding houses, or Inherently FR (Type C) for zero-maintenance durability in classrooms that never requires chemical re-proofing.
Golden Thread Compliance
We sew a permanent label into every item detailing its spec and batch number. This links directly to a Certificate of Conformity we issue for every batch, giving you an unbroken chain of evidence for Fire Officers.
Batch Replacement & Matching Fabrics
We offer Batch Replacement Programs. We replace curtains, cushions, and runners simultaneously with matching fabrics. This ensures a cohesive, high-end look and unlocks volume pricing to lower your cost-per-room.
Choose the right fabrics from across the whole market
You can provide measurements using our guide (Supply Only), or we can send a team member can attend the site to survey tracks and windows for a guaranteed fit (Full Service).
We help you choose "Student-Proof" IFR fabrics that balance durability with aesthetics. We ensure the fabric meets the specific fire risk for the zone (Type B for Bedrooms, Type C for Kitchens).
We manufacture your order in our Brighton studio. Every item is fitted with a permanent compliance label. Upon completion, we issue a Certificate of Conformity for the batch, ready for your fire logbook.
We support your maintenance team with rapid repairs for vandalism. For replacements, we ensure visual continuity using the original fabric (where available) or a closely matched alternative.
Meeting the Building Safety Act & HMO Standards
We simplify the complex regulations for Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) and HMO licensing.
1. The "Golden Thread" (Building Safety Act 2022)
The Law: Student blocks over 18m are legally classified as Higher-Risk Buildings. Unlike hotels, you have a statutory duty to maintain a "Golden Thread" of safety data for the Building Safety Regulator.
Our Solution: We provide the data you need for your Safety Case Report. Our Certificates of Conformity and permanent labels provide the proof required to demonstrate you are managing fire spread risks.
2. HMO & UUK Code Compliance
The Law: Under the Housing Act 2004, student accommodation often requires strict HMO licensing.
Our Solution: We ensure all fabrics meet the specific conditions of your license and the Universities UK (UUK) Code of Practice. We take the guesswork out of compliance.
3. Zoned Fire Safety (BS 5867)
The Law: Different rooms carry different risks.
Bedrooms (Medium Risk): We install Type B fabrics. They prevent flame spread and withstand aggressive washing (tested to 12 cycles).
Kitchens (High Risk): We upgrade communal kitchens to Type C. These IFR fabrics withstand the high risk of cooking fires and frequent industrial laundering.
Track Refitting
Property developers often install tracks low and narrow to save on fabric. This compromises the room's aesthetic and limits natural light. Replacing curtains is the most cost-effective time to correct track placement and upgrade your spaces. Contact us to discuss the process.
Optimising Curtain Tracks & Placement
We move tracks to the ceiling line and extend the width to create a professional, architectural finish. This makes a dramatic difference.
Ceiling-to-Floor: We raise the track to the ceiling line. This draws the eye up, making classrooms feel larger and more airy.
Optimized Stack-Back: We extend tracks by 30-60% of the window width. This ensures curtains pull back completely clear of the glazing, maximizing natural light.
Correct Projection: We fit brackets with a 40mm - 60mm projection. This allows for airflow behind the curtain (preventing mold) and clears protruding window handles.
Optimising Curtain Dimensions
Luxury curtains achieve a premium look through a combination of architectural scale and material density. By manipulating height, width, and depth, they transform a standard window into a focal point that feels intentional rather than utilitarian.
1. Height: The Illusion of Scale
In high-end settings, curtains are typically ceiling-mounted or installed as close to the ceiling as possible.
The Look: By eliminating the visual gap between the top of the window and the ceiling, the curtains draw the eye upward, making the room feel significantly taller than its actual dimensions.
The Finish: Floor-to-ceiling coverage stop between 0 and 1 cm above the floor for a "clean" architectural finish or use "pooling" (adding 5 cm or more) to create a soft, opulent look that hides uneven floors.
2. Width: Volume and Frame Enlargement
Luxury curtains use a high "fullness ratio," meaning the amount of fabric used is 2.5 to 3.0 times the width of the track.
The Look: This ensures the curtains have deep, consistent gathers even when fully closed, rather than appearing as a flat, stretched sheet.
The Illusion: By extending the track significantly past the window frame (stack-back), the curtains "park" entirely on the wall when open. This makes the window appear much wider and ensures 100% of the glass is clear to maximize natural light.
3. Depth: Preventing "Crushing"
Premium installations account for "projection depth"—the space between the wall and the fabric.
The Technical Detail: For modern Wave headings, a minimum fitting depth of 160 mm (16 cm) is required so the "S" folds can hang freely without touching the glass or wall.
The Result: Properly projected curtains have a three-dimensional, sculptural quality. When the depth is too shallow, the folds crush against the window, ruining the uniform rhythm of the fabric and making the installation look amateur.
Bottom Line
Luxury curtains look superior because they behave as part of the architecture. The combination of floor-to-ceiling height and generous width provides superior acoustic dampening by acting as a giant fabric "baffle" that softens echoes. The density of the fabric (especially when interlined) provides a visual "weight" that signals quality, while the seamless integration from wall-to-wall or floor-to-ceiling hides the "messy" hardware and corners of the window frame.
We’d love to help. Get in touch to begin:
📧 tailorbox@brightonalterations.com
📞 07955 751896