Side Curtains for a Sim Bay: Nine Options Grouped by What You Already Own

Golf simulator curtains do three jobs in a sim bay. They keep daylight and hallway light off the impact screen, they catch projector spill before it bounces off pale walls, and they close the bay off when nobody is playing. Some buyers need everything in one box. Others already have a pipe frame, a bare rail or a spare blackout panel and only need the missing piece. This page sorts nine products by what they include, so you can find your starting point before you compare prices.

Curtains are not safety equipment. They cut light and echo, slow down the odd shank and tidy up the room, but they do not replace an impact screen or a proper net for full-speed shots. The section on what curtains will not stop covers the limits in detail, so read it before you order fabric.

The picks are grouped in three tiers. Complete kits include fabric and hardware. Fabric-only panels need a frame or track you already own. Track-only products are the rails that let a curtain slide open and closed.

How we put this together: we compared published manufacturer specs, retailer listings and owner reports, then applied the criteria below. Links may earn us a commission.

Pick	Our label	Best for	Price (approx.)
Carl's Place Golf Room Curtain Kit	Made-to-measure for rooms 85 to 120 inches tall	Custom room heights	From $174.95
SIG Golf Simulator Curtains	Lowest-cost kit with an optional track upgrade	Budget starting point	$149.99 to $419.98
Ace Indoor Golf Retractable Golf Simulator Curtain	Finished-room pick for 10-foot ceilings	Hidden hardware in a living space	$569 (regularly $619)
ROSG DIY Golf Simulator Curtain Enclosure Kit (Ceiling Track)	Double-sided kit for bays seen from both sides	Shared rooms with two finished faces	$329 to $599
CCS Chicago Canvas & Supply Commando Cloth Curtain	Heaviest cotton for DIY pipe frames	Pipe-and-drape builds	Not listed
EverTrack Room Divider Curtains	Flame-rated fabric for finished basements	Spaces where fire rating matters	Not listed
DWCN Blackout Room Divider Curtain Panel	Widest spread of sizes and colors	Unusual widths and lighter tones	Not listed
ZSHINE Heavy-Duty Conjoined Double Track Rails	Two-layer track for fabric plus netting	Curtain and net on one ceiling run	Not listed
ZSHINE Single Track Ceiling or Wall Mounting Rail	Track for a curtain you already own	Making an existing curtain retractable	Not listed

Prices are list prices at time of writing. Where a source did not publish a price, the table says so instead of estimating one.

Start here: which of the nine fits your bay

Find your situation in the first column. The table shows what arrives in the box, so you can tell whether the price covers a usable setup or only part of one.

Situation	Product	What arrives	List price at time of writing
You need everything, including track	Carl's Place kit	Made-to-order curtain with grommeted top and bottom weight; depth options; ceiling hardware sold separately	From $174.95
You need a custom height	Carl's Place kit	Made to order for room heights from 85 to 120 inches	From $174.95
You want hidden hardware in a living space	Ace Indoor Golf Retractable	Pleated curtain, steel strut, nine rollers, two valances	$569 (regularly $619)
The bay is visible from both sides	ROSG DIY kit	Single- or double-sided panels, aluminum ceiling track, hooks and hardware	$329 to $599
You need the lowest entry price	SIG Golf Simulator Curtains	Blackout curtain with reinforced grommets; track and valance optional	$149.99 to $419.98
You have a pipe frame and want fabric	CCS commando cloth	Cotton panel with top grommets and a bottom pipe pocket	Not listed
A finished basement where fire rating matters	EverTrack	Polyester panels rated NFPA 701, size-0 grommets	Not listed
You need a big width or a non-black color	DWCN panel	Widths up to 240 inches; beige, light gray and dark gray	Not listed
You have fabric and need a track	ZSHINE single rail	13.1 ft aluminum track with wall and ceiling brackets	Not listed
You want curtain plus net on one ceiling	ZSHINE double rail	Two independent channels on one run	Not listed

Several fabric and track prices were not published in the sources we used, and they change often. Treat the "Not listed" entries as a prompt to check the maker's page before you budget.

Check current curtain kit prices ↗

What side curtains are for, and what they will not stop

Side curtains earn their place through a handful of specific jobs, and it helps to know which one you are buying for. The first is light. A projector on a bright afternoon, or in a room with a large window, can wash out the image. A curtain on the window or doorway side keeps daylight and hallway light away from the screen so the picture stays contrasty. The second is spill. Projector light that misses the screen hits the walls and bounces back as a faint haze. Dark, matte fabric soaks up much of that, which is why a curtain often improves the image even when the room already looks dark to you.

The third job is sound. Hard walls and a bare ceiling reflect noise, and a fabric panel softens that echo. That makes a bay more pleasant to use when someone else is in the house, though a curtain will not make the bay quiet. The fourth job is containment. Closing the curtains at the end of a session keeps dust and turf debris from drifting into the rest of the room and gives the bay a tidy look when it is not in use. For many people that last point matters most, especially in a shared space.

What curtains do not replace is the impact screen or a proper side net. A fabric curtain will slow and drop a ball, and it will catch many mishits that would otherwise land on a wall or a piece of furniture. A full-speed shot at close range is a different problem. A direct hit can still mark a wall behind thin fabric, and a curtain only protects what it covers. If your bay is tight, think of the curtain as a second layer. The screen and its frame are the first layer, and any padding on the walls nearest the hitting zone is the third.

Color changes the trade-off as well. Black matte fabric reflects the least light back toward the screen, which is why most of the options here are black or dark. The DWCN panels come in beige and light gray tones that look far better in a living space, but a lighter curtain returns more projector spill. The practical answer is to use dark fabric at the screen end of the bay and save lighter tones for the outer edges, if you use them at all. A lighter color is a legitimate choice for a den, but expect a small drop in contrast.

Before you buy fabric, read the enclosure and impact screen comparison so you know whether a curtain is meant to do the job of a screen. For the hard surfaces that curtains do not cover, such as a drywall corner behind the hitting zone, wall padding is usually the better purchase.

Scoring the options against five criteria

We weighed each option against five criteria, with a fixed share of the total for each. Light control carries 25 percent, because most buyers come to curtains for that reason first. Fit and sizing options carry 20 percent, since a panel that is a foot short or a foot narrow leaves a gap that defeats the point. Mounting system and load also carry 20 percent, because most failures happen at the ceiling rather than in the fabric. Fabric durability and safety carry another 20 percent and cover fabric weight, construction and flame rating where a maker publishes one. Price for what is included carries the final 15 percent.

The weights matter because a cheap product can lose on the criteria that count most. A low price that excludes the track or the ceiling hardware is not a low price for a working curtain. The same logic applies in reverse: a premium kit with excellent hardware can still be a poor fit if its fixed size does not match your bay.

Our sources were manufacturer and retailer listings, along with owner reviews. No curtains were installed for this page, so nothing here reflects a physical check of fit, fabric feel or noise. Where a listing left out a spec, such as a light-blocking percentage or a flame rating, we say the spec is not listed rather than filling the gap with a guess.

We grouped products by what arrives in the box. Comparing a bare rail with a full kit on a single ranked list tells you very little, because the rail still needs fabric and the kit already has a track. Complete kits come first, followed by fabric-only panels for builders who have a frame or rail, and then the track-only hardware. Within each group, the entries follow the order of the picks table.

Prices are list prices at time of writing. A missing price is marked as not listed, and we do not estimate one. Fabric and track prices move around, so check current pricing before you budget.

Complete kits: fabric, track and hardware together

A complete kit is the right starting point if you have no frame, no rail and no plan yet. The parts are sized to each other, so the track matches the hooks or grommets, the curtain length follows the maker's room-height options, and the valances or covers line up with the hardware. That saves you a trip to the hardware store to hunt for brackets that fit a rail you bought separately, and it removes some of the guesswork around drop length.

The trade-off is that the headline price is often only part of the cost. Watch for kits that still exclude screws or ceiling hardware, because those items add up quickly once you account for two side curtains instead of one. Ask the maker, before you order, exactly what is in the box and what you will need to buy separately.

⛳Side view of a black side curtain hanging beside a golf simulator screen

Carl's Place Golf Room Curtain Kit: cut to your room height

Carl's Place is the made-to-measure option in this group. The kit starts at $174.95 at time of writing. The curtain is black opaque polyester with a brushed velour finish, which looks finished on both faces, so it does not read as a backing panel when it is pulled open. You order it for room heights between 85 and 120 inches, and the maker cuts the curtain 2 inches shorter than the room so it can drape without binding on the track or sitting on the floor. Depth options are 4, 8 or 12 feet, and the track is sold in 4-foot segments, so measure your run before you add up the total.

The top edge has a grommeted header with webbing reinforcement, and the bottom has a sewn-in weight. Those details matter more than they sound. A curtain that is pulled open and shut every session is put under repeated load at the grommets, and the weighted hem helps the panel hang straight instead of swinging out of line.

The main limitation is the mounting. This is a ceiling-mount design only. The hardware kit is sold separately, so add it to the budget before you buy, not after the curtain arrives. The curtain pairs with Carl's enclosure kits if you want the two to match. For installation you will need a drill or screwdriver, a ladder and a tape measure, and a second person is recommended for lifting the track into place. Skip this one if you must wall mount, because the system is built around a ceiling run.

SIG Golf Simulator Curtains: low entry price, upgrade later

SIG is the budget route into a retractable setup. Prices run from $149.99 to $419.98 depending on size and add-ons. The base curtain is a heavy-duty blackout fabric with reinforced grommets, and the example panel size listed is 52 by 108 inches, with other options to suit most ceiling heights. If your bay is a standard room with a standard ceiling, check that one of the listed sizes lands close to your drop before you assume it will fit.

The upgrades are where the real decision happens. An optional industrial ceiling track with rolling carriers turns the curtain into a retractable one. An optional valance hides the hardware and trims light that leaks past the top edge. The maker lists free shipping with a 7 to 10 day shipping window and easy returns.

The downside is simple to state. The add-ons that make the curtain retractable raise the total, so the $149.99 figure is not the price of a working retractable setup. Price the track and the valance before you commit, and compare that total with the Carl's Place or ROSG options rather than with the base figure alone.

Ace Indoor Golf Retractable Curtain: hidden hardware for a living space

Ace is the finished-room pick. It costs $569 at time of writing, down from a regular price of $619. The curtain measures 9 feet 7 inches tall by 8 feet 4 inches wide and is designed for 10-foot ceilings. The fabric is a partial blackout pleated fabric in black, so it gives a more formal look than a plain panel, and the pleats add some visual depth when the curtain is drawn.

The hardware is the part that makes Ace suited to a room people actually sit in. It uses an 8-foot galvanized steel ceiling strut, nine nylon rollers with half-inch hooks, and steel end stops. Two valances, an inner and an outer, conceal the track and the top edge, so the bay looks like a finished room rather than a sports setup. The kit includes 25 yards of hook-and-loop tape for attaching the curtain to the screen frame, which is a practical detail that saves a separate trip for fasteners.

Where the Ace kit falls short

• Screws are not included. The strut has to go into ceiling backing or trusses able to hold 30 lb, so budget for screws and possibly a backing board before you start.
• The size is fixed. Custom sizes are special order, so a ceiling that is not close to 10 feet, or an unusual bay width, may rule the kit out. Check your ceiling height before you commit.
• The fabric is partial blackout, not full blackout. In a bright room with a large window, you will want a window treatment alongside the curtain.

ROSG DIY Curtain Enclosure Kit (Ceiling Track): two finished faces

ROSG is the double-sided option in this group. The price runs from $329 to $599 at time of writing, and the spread depends on the size and whether you order it single- or double-sided. Sizes are 8 feet high by 10 feet wide or 9 feet high by 10 feet wide. The panels are a cotton and polyester blend in black, and the double-sided build means the outside face is finished as well as the inside.

The hardware is a white-finished aluminum ceiling track, with hooks, track pieces and mounting hardware included. The maker estimates one to two hours to install, and the warranty is one year. The ceiling track is the sort of part that tends to cause trouble if it is not level or not anchored into the right structure, so give the anchoring section below the same attention you give the kit itself.

Owners report that spare hooks are not sold separately. That is worth knowing before install, because a hook that gets lost or bent during the job cannot be replaced from the kit alone. Keep a spare or two aside until the curtain is hung and running cleanly.

ROSG fits a bay in a shared room, such as a family room or a den, where the outside face of the curtain is on show. If the bay is tucked into a corner where only the screen side is visible, a single-sided kit at the lower end of the price range is the more sensible buy.

Fabric-only panels for frames and tracks you already have

Fabric-only panels suit builders who already have a pipe frame, a rod or a rail. Before you buy, check that the hanging method matches your hardware. A grommet panel needs a rod or track carrier that fits the grommet size. A pole-pocket or bottom-pocket panel needs a pipe of the right diameter. A panel meant for ceiling track needs the carriers that hook through its top edge. A mismatch here is an easy mistake to make, and it is often the reason a good panel ends up folded in a closet.

Fabric weight is the other check. A heavier panel holds its shape and blocks light more reliably, but it also pulls harder on its hardware. A light panel is easier to hang and open, but it can billow and let light past its edges. The three fabric-only products below sit at different points on that spectrum, and the table later in this guide puts their figures side by side.

CCS Commando Cloth Curtain: dense cotton for pipe-and-drape builds

CCS is 100 percent heavy cotton in matte black, with a blackout weave in the style of theater commando cloth. Sizes listed include 120 by 180 inches (10 by 15 feet), 120 by 120 inches and 120 by 140 inches. The price is not listed in our sources, so check the current figure before you add it to the budget.

The hanging method is what makes CCS suited to a DIY frame. There are grommets every 12 inches along the top, and a 4-inch pocket runs along the bottom to take a pipe or a weight bar of up to 4 inches. A panel hung from the top grommets alone has nothing holding its bottom edge, so the pocket is what makes a pipe-and-drape frame work.

The panel weighs about 5 pounds and has double-stitched seams. It is machine washable, but skip the dryer. It is not water resistant and is for indoor use only. Keep it away from heaters, because owners report heat damage and minor rips where the fabric sat too close to one. In a basement that runs warm, that means checking the placement before you hang the panel rather than after.

EverTrack Room Divider Curtains: the flame-rated choice

EverTrack is 100 percent polyester, described as inherently flame resistant and compliant with NFPA 701. It is 100 percent opaque, so no lining is needed, and the satin finish gives a clean look. The standard panel is 54 by 108 inches, and sizes run up to 138 by 108 inches. The 54-inch panels have no vertical seams, which keeps the surface even when a wider run is built from several of them.

The grommets are size-0 nickel-plated brass. They are smaller than typical, which reduces the light that gets through the gap at the top of the panel. The header is reinforced with buckram and the hems are weighted. The panel weighs 2.4 pounds, which is light for its opacity, and it is handmade in California. It is built for ceiling track, especially EverTrack's own, so check the track carriers before you order. Like CCS, it is indoor only and not water resistant. The price is not listed in our sources.

Flame rating is the reason to choose this fabric. In a finished basement, where a curtain sits near electronics and people spend long sessions, a flame-resistant fabric is a sensible choice. The NFPA 701 mark is the maker's stated rating, so it is worth confirming the current compliance statement on the listing and checking local code if the bay sits in a commercial or shared building.

DWCN Blackout Room Divider Panel: sizes and colors for odd spaces

DWCN is the panel for the awkward opening. It is triple-weave polyester, rated 90 to 99 percent light blocking, and the maker says it adds some thermal insulation. Widths run from 52 to 240 inches and lengths from 72 to 120 inches, and the listed sizes run from 52 by 84 inches up to 240 by 96 inches. Colors include beige, light gray and dark gray.

Hardware is 22 rust-proof grommets with 1.6-inch openings. That is a dense row of attachment points along the top edge, which suits a wide panel. The 240 by 96 panel weighs about 8.5 pounds, which is well within the capacity of the track systems covered later in this guide.

The care instructions are machine wash cold and iron on low, and the panel arrives creased. Plan to let it hang for a while before you judge the wrinkles. Owners report some minor seam fraying, which is worth inspecting when the panel first arrives. The lighter colors reflect more projector light, so choose dark gray or black for any panel near the screen. The price is not listed in our sources.

Track-only hardware

Track-only hardware suits buyers who already have fabric and need a rail. The track is the part that makes a curtain retractable, so its capacity, mounting and joins matter as much as its length. A rail that is too light for the curtain it carries will sag, bind and wear its gliders faster than it should. Check the rated load before you order, then compare it with the weight of your fabric and any net you plan to hang on the same run.

ZSHINE Double Track Rails: curtain and net on one ceiling run

The ZSHINE double rail is a conjoined double channel, so two layers can move independently. The usual setup is a blackout curtain in front and a netting behind it, which lets you open the curtain for entry and leave the net in place for impact protection. The channels are aluminum with an anti-corrosion finish, and the shape is square and low profile, so the track sits neatly under a ceiling. It comes in white, black or champagne, which lets you match the ceiling or the trim.

The rail comes in 6.6, 9.5 or 13.1 feet. It is rated for 88 lb (40 kg), and the item weight is 6.6 lb. It uses ball-bearing gliders, and the connectors for joining sections are included. The track is a ceiling mount, and the wall brackets are sold separately, so add them to the budget if you need wall support at either end. The maker notes that segments can show visible seams where they join, which matters if the run will be in plain view.

Choose this rail when you want a curtain and a net on the same ceiling run. If you only need one layer, the single rail below is simpler and usually cheaper. For the net itself, the guide to nets to hang behind a curtain compares the options. The price is not listed in our sources.

ZSHINE Single Track Rail: simplest way to make any curtain retractable

The single rail is the simplest way to turn an existing curtain into a retractable one. It is 13.1 feet (157 inches) long and can be joined for longer runs. The track is aluminum alloy in white, with a 2-inch-wide profile. Wall and ceiling brackets are both included, along with rollers, connectors and screws, so you can mount it either way without a separate order.

The capacity is 88 lb (40 kg), and the rollers are metal ball bearings with a plastic coating, which the maker says keeps travel quiet. The rail is not suitable for drywall-only mounting, so locate joists or add backing before you start, and do not rely on a hollow wall to take the load. The connectors can bend if they are forced, and the finish scratches easily, so keep the protective wrap on until you are ready to install. The price is not listed in our sources.

This is the right buy when you have a curtain already and want it to slide. It is less suited to a bay with no existing fabric, because you will still need to choose and buy the panel.

See curtain track deals ↗

Fabric weight, opacity and fire rating compared

The table below puts the six fabric products side by side on the figures that matter for a curtain: fiber, published size range, weight, light blocking, flame rating, washability and hanging method. A value the source did not publish is marked "Not listed" rather than estimated. The gaps are real, so use the table to decide which questions to ask the maker, not as a complete spec sheet.

Product	Fiber	Published size range	Weight	Light blocking	Flame rating	Washable	Hanging method
Carl's Place kit	Black opaque polyester, brushed velour	Room heights 85 to 120 in; depths 4, 8 or 12 ft	Not listed	Opaque (percentage not listed)	Not listed	Not listed	Ceiling track with grommeted top
SIG curtain	Heavy-duty blackout fabric (fiber not listed)	52 x 108 in example; other sizes offered	Not listed	Blackout (percentage not listed)	Not listed	Not listed	Grommets; optional ceiling track and valance
Ace curtain	Partial blackout pleated fabric (fiber not listed)	9 ft 7 in x 8 ft 4 in, fixed size	Not listed	Partial blackout	Not listed	Not listed	Nylon rollers on steel strut; hook-and-loop to screen
ROSG kit	Cotton and polyester blend	8 or 9 ft high x 10 ft wide	Not listed	Not listed	Not listed	Not listed	Hooks on aluminum ceiling track
CCS commando cloth	100% cotton	120 x 120, 120 x 140, 120 x 180 in	About 5 lb	Blackout weave (percentage not listed)	Not listed	Machine wash, no dryer	Grommets every 12 in on top; 4 in bottom pipe pocket
EverTrack	100% polyester	54 x 108 in standard; up to 138 x 108 in	2.4 lb	100% opaque	NFPA 701	Not listed	Size-0 brass grommets for ceiling track
DWCN panel	Triple-weave polyester	Widths 52 to 240 in; lengths 72 to 120 in	About 8.5 lb (240 x 96 in panel)	90 to 99%	Not listed	Machine wash cold, iron low	22 rust-proof grommets, 1.6 in openings

Weight is patchy across the listings, and it is also the figure that is easiest to misread. Barrier-style products are often quoted by weight per square yard. Reinforced vinyl for home use is commonly described at about 14 to 16 ounces per square yard, and coated canvas for commercial work at 18 ounces and up. Those figures describe vinyl and coated canvas barrier fabrics rather than blackout drapes, so use them as a rough guide to how heavy a barrier feels. None of the panels in the table are described that way, so compare them on the pounds listed for each product.

Fire rating is the other figure buyers should ask about directly. Only EverTrack lists a flame rating in the sources we used, and it lists NFPA 701. For a bay in a finished basement or a shared building, ask every maker for a written flame rating before you buy, and keep a copy with the install paperwork.

Sizing math: drop, width and fullness

Most curtain problems start with sizing, not with fabric quality. Three measurements decide whether a side curtain works, and each one is simple once you write it down. Measure drop first, then width, then fullness, and do the math for each side of the bay separately.

Drop is the finished length of the curtain. It equals the ceiling height, minus the height of the track below the ceiling, minus the gap you want at the floor. Carl's cuts 2 inches short for exactly this reason, so the panel can hang and draw without binding at the top or dragging on the floor. A panel cut to the full ceiling height has no room once the track takes its space, so the bottom sits on the floor and the curtain is hard to draw.

Here is a worked example. Assume a 9-foot ceiling, which is 108 inches. A surface-mount track adds about 2 inches below the ceiling. Leave a 1-inch gap at the floor so the panel can move freely. That gives a drop of about 105 inches (108 minus 2 minus 1). A 108-inch panel will puddle about 3 inches on the floor. That is fine for light control, but a puddle is a trip hazard if you walk past the bay often, so consider a shorter drop or a hem that sits clear of the walkway.

Width is set by the bay, not by the panel. The side curtain must cover the bay depth, from the screen frame back to just behind the tee. For a 12-foot deep bay, that is 144 inches of track per side. Measure from the frame to the tee position, not to the back wall, because the curtain should close off the hitting area and not just the screen.

Fullness is the extra fabric you need so the curtain closes without gaps. Gathered curtains need more fabric than the track length, and the amount depends on the style. Common drapery guidance suggests that a flat-panel blackout curtain for light control can run around 1.2 to 1.5 times the track length, while a pleated decorative look sits closer to 2 times. Treat those figures as a starting point, and check them against the specific product you choose.

Run the numbers for the example. A 144-inch track at 1.3 times fullness needs about 187 inches of fabric (144 times 1.3 is 187.2). One 240-inch DWCN panel covers that with room to spare. Four 54-inch EverTrack panels, which total 216 inches, also cover it. Choose the single wide panel if you want the fewest seams, or the set of narrower panels if the wider product is not available in the color you want.

Overlap the screen edge by at least 6 inches so light does not leak through the seam where the curtain meets the frame. Hook-and-loop tape is one way to close that joint, and the Ace kit includes it.

Ceiling anchoring and track load

Most curtain failures come from the ceiling, not the fabric. A track that pulls out of the ceiling takes the curtain down with it, and a loose track can drop a panel onto the turf or onto a screen frame. This checklist covers the steps that prevent that. Work through it before you order hardware, so you know what your ceiling can take.

• Find joists or add a backing board. The ZSHINE single rail is not suitable for drywall-only mounting, and the Ace kit calls for anchoring into backing or trusses able to hold 30 lb.
• Do the load math. The 13.1 ft ZSHINE track is rated for 88 lb. A DWCN panel weighs about 8.5 lb at its largest listed size, and a net adds more, but the total stays far below the rail rating. In practice the limit is usually the anchors, not the rail.
• For long spans where joists do not line up, consider ceiling eye bolts and steel cable as an alternative to a single track fixed at many points. Reinforce the corners where two runs meet.
• Choose a wall mount where the ceiling is finished or too high to reach comfortably. A wall mount takes some floor space, so measure the walkway before you choose it.
• In a drop ceiling, hang the track from the structure above, never from the grid. The grid holds up the tiles, not the curtain.
• Keep fabric clear of projector vents and any heat source. Heat can damage synthetic and cotton fabric alike.

Anchoring is also where the projector comes in. If the ceiling run and the projector mount share a joist or a backing board, plan the anchors for both together. A projector mount guide covers the mounting side in more detail.

Three total-cost scenarios

Side curtains come in pairs, so the cost you see on a listing is usually half of what you will spend. Keep that in mind as you compare routes. The three scenarios below use list prices from the sources, and the DIY route shows the formula only, because its prices were not listed.

The first scenario is the budget kit route. SIG starts at $149.99 for a base curtain. Adding the track option raises the total, and the top of SIG's range is $419.98, so the true cost of a retractable setup depends on the size and add-ons you choose. Price the track and valance first, then multiply by two for the second side.

The second scenario is the made-to-order route. Carl's Place starts at $174.95 for a curtain cut to your room height. The ceiling hardware kit is sold separately, and its price is not listed in our sources, so ask the maker for it before you commit. Add the hardware cost to each curtain, then double the total for two sides.

The third scenario is the finished-room route. The Ace kit costs $569 at time of writing, with a regular price of $619. Add screws and any backing lumber you need for the strut, because screws are not included. The ROSG kit runs from $329 to $599 and includes track, hooks and hardware, so there is no separate hardware line to add. Ask whether the price covers both sides if you want a double-sided finish.

The DIY route pairs fabric from CCS, EverTrack or DWCN with ZSHINE track. Their prices are not listed in our sources, so use this formula with current prices from each maker: fabric cost per side, plus track cost per side, plus anchors per side, then multiply the result by two. A DIY build can come in below a kit, but only if you already own the frame or the anchors and the fabric price holds up when you check it. If you are building the frame yourself, the custom enclosure build guide walks through the structure that the curtain hangs from.

Care and replacement

A side curtain is in the way of the swing, the walkway and the turf, so it takes more wear than a curtain on a window. A little routine care keeps it looking good and keeps the hardware working.

Wash the fabric as the maker directs. CCS is machine washable with no dryer, and DWCN is machine washed cold and ironed on low. Check the label on any other product before you wash it, since the listings used here do not cover every fabric in the range. A wash that is too hot can shrink or distort a panel, and a dryer can do the same to cotton.

Vacuum the bottom hem each time you clean the bay. Turf fibers and rubber particles settle at the bottom of a curtain, and they work into the weave over time. Inspect grommets, hooks and gliders every few months. Look for cracked hooks, loose grommets and gliders that have bent or stopped rolling freely. A bent glider can bind on the track and drag the panel with it. Replace any part that no longer runs smoothly, and check the anchors at the same time.

When you re-hang a curtain, make sure the weighted hem sits straight before you let go of it. A hem that rides up on one side can slide toward the swing path, and a curtain that has been hit by a club or a ball should be inspected for damage before it goes back into service. Keep spare hooks or gliders on hand where the kit allows it, since some makers do not sell them separately.

If you want a routine schedule for the whole bay, the maintenance schedule covers the rest of the equipment, including the screen and the enclosure.

Who can skip side curtains

Side curtains are useful, but they are not necessary for every bay. Some setups already cover the job, and others are better served by a different fix. Check whether your bay falls into one of these groups before you spend money on fabric.

Enclosures that already have full side panels do not need a separate curtain. The panels already block light and spill, and they stop balls at the sides. Adding fabric on top of solid walls mostly adds cost and a second thing to clean.

Dedicated windowless rooms with dark painted walls have little light to block. Dark walls also absorb a good share of projector spill, so a curtain adds less than it would in a bright room. In that case, spend the budget on the screen or the projector instead.

Outdoor or garage setups where a curtain will get damp are a poor match for most fabrics here. Most of the products in this guide are indoor only and not water resistant, so a damp garage will shorten their life quickly. If the bay is in a shed or a garage, look at the room ideas guide and choose materials built for those conditions.

Narrow bays where fabric would hang within swing reach are the last group. A hanging panel in that spot is the thing a ball will hit first. Padding on the walls is the better choice there, because it is made for impact in a way a curtain is not.

Compare enclosure options ↗

Questions buyers ask before ordering

Buyers who have done some reading usually arrive with the same few questions. The answers below cover the points that tend to decide the purchase.

Can I hang a curtain track from a drop ceiling?

No, not from the grid itself. Drop-ceiling grids are not built to carry a loaded track, so anchor the track to joists or the structure above using threaded rod or cable. ZSHINE's single rail is not meant for drywall-only mounting, and the Ace kit needs backing able to hold 30 lb.

Should sim curtains be black, or can I pick a lighter color?

Black matte fabric is the safest choice near the screen because it absorbs projector spill and window light. Lighter DWCN colors suit living rooms, but they bounce more light back toward the screen. If you want a lighter tone, use it further from the screen and keep dark fabric where the curtain sits closest to the hitting zone.

Is a blackout curtain enough to stop a full-speed shank?

No. A blackout curtain slows a ball and drops it, but it is not an impact barrier. For shanks, pair the curtain with netting behind it, such as a double track setup, or use padding on the walls nearest the hitting zone.

Do I need a flame-rated fabric near my projector?

Not required for most homes, but it is worth having in a finished basement where you spend long sessions. EverTrack's fabric is NFPA 701 compliant, and you should keep any fabric clear of projector exhaust. Check local code if the bay is in a commercial space.

How far should the curtain overlap the screen frame?

Overlap the screen frame by at least about 6 inches and run the curtain to the floor so light cannot leak at the seam. Hook-and-loop tape can close the joint, and the Ace kit includes 25 yards of it.