Velour vs. Duvetyne vs. Commando Cloth

Why Fabric Choice Changes Everything

Cost, appearance, light-blocking ability, and durability all shift significantly depending on which fabric you choose — which is exactly why the same curtain project can range so widely in price. Understanding what each fabric actually does well makes it much easier to allocate your budget where it matters most.

Velour — The Premium Standard

Velour is the fabric most people picture when they think of a theater curtain: rich, deep pile with excellent light-blocking and a heavy, elegant drape. It's the standard choice for main curtains and any audience-facing drapery where appearance matters most — and it carries the highest price of the three.

Duvetyne — The Budget-Friendly Workhorse

Duvetyne is lighter and considerably more affordable than velour, with good light-blocking performance that makes it a practical choice for masking, legs, and borders — places where function matters more than a luxurious drape. It's a common, reliable choice for schools working within a tighter budget.

Commando Cloth — The Middle Ground

Commando cloth is a cotton-blend, mid-weight fabric that lands between the latter two on cost and performance. It's a frequent choice for masking and backdrops where you want better durability and appearance than duvetyne without paying the higher cost for velour (although it doesn't block light quite as well as velour).

Side-by-Side: Light-Blocking, Durability, Cost, Best Use

• Velour: Best light-blocking, most durable, highest cost — best for main/traveler curtains and any audience-facing drapery.
• Commando Cloth: Good light-blocking, solid durability, mid cost — best for masking, backdrops, and general-purpose use.
• Duvetyne: Good light-blocking, lighter duty, lowest cost — best for masking, legs, and borders where appearance matters less.

Matching Fabric to Curtain Type

Many venues get the best value by mixing fabrics within one project: velour for the visible main or traveler curtain, and a more economical fabric like duvetyne or commando cloth for masking legs and borders - curtains the audience barely notices. It's one of the most effective ways to control cost without a full budget-fabric compromise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which fabric blocks the most light?
A: Velour, especially in heavier weights, generally offers the best light-blocking due to its density and pile, which is why it's the standard choice for main curtains and blackout applications.

Q: Is duvetyne durable enough for daily school use?
A: Yes — duvetyne is a common choice for schools because it holds up well to regular use while costing significantly less than velour. The tradeoff is a flatter, less luxurious appearance.

Q: Can I mix fabrics within one curtain set to control cost?
A: Absolutely. Many venues use velour for the visible main curtain and a more economical fabric like duvetyne for masking legs and borders that the audience rarely views from up close.

Our Stageperts are happy to help you decide on the right fabrics for your stage, whether it be a main curtain, valance, legs, or borders. Contact us for fabric samples.

Or request a quote on stage curtains or custom drapery.