ⓘ
The Solution Section (FAQ)
What are Kool Kurtains and what problem do they solve?
Kool Kurtains are passive shade and screening panels that hang in the openings of barns, run-in sheds, stall doors, dutch doors, and arena entrances. They're made from CS80® (Certified Shade 80), an exclusive textile from Certified Shade Technologies that scientifically tests at up to 80% deflection of the sun's heat rays. The panels block direct sun while permitting airflow — so the shelter cools down without becoming a stagnant box. Secondary benefits per Kool Kurtains: bug screening (especially flies and mosquitoes), bird screening (keeps barn aisles and run-ins cleaner), and rain/snow protection. The deflection percentage varies with the angle of the sun.
What colors are available, and do darker colors keep more bugs out?
Three standard colors: Black, Dark Bay (chocolate brown), and Natural Weave (light beige tweed). Custom colors available at an additional price: White, Hunter Green, Grey, and Beige — Kool Kurtains will send swatches and quote the upcharge. All colors deliver the same CS80 cooling rate — there's no thermal difference. The bug-repellent answer is yes for darker colors: per Kool Kurtains, darker tones read like a cave entrance to flying insects, and bugs avoid feeling "trapped," so Black and Dark Bay perform better than Natural Weave for fly and mosquito screening. Trade-off: darker colors also let in less ambient light, so the inside reads slightly dimmer.
What's the standard panel size and how do I measure my opening?
Standard panels are 35.5 inches wide. Standard lengths run from 7.0 feet through 10.0 feet in 6-inch increments. Each panel has a 2-inch reinforced header with grommets at the top for hanging. Measuring is genuinely two numbers: the HEIGHT of the open space (how tall) and the WIDTH (how wide). Important application rules: panels should overlap each other by 4–6 inches; the bottom of each panel should sit 4–6 inches off the ground so a horse doesn't step on it; and Kool Kurtains shouldn't cover a center post or pole — measure each section separately so the post stays exposed (so neither you nor your horses run into it). Custom lengths are available for non-standard openings.
How do I install them?
Easy DIY install through the grommeted header. Two common methods customers use, depending on wind exposure: large cup hooks on the inside header of the aisle or run-in (caution: open-ended hooks need to be high enough that horses can't lift the panel off, and secure enough that the panels won't lift off in wind), or heavy-duty staples for high-wind areas. The choice is usually dictated by how much wind your opening sees. Kool Kurtains is happy to advise on hanging method for your specific application — call them with the opening details and they'll walk you through it.
How do I get my horses comfortable with the curtains the first time?
Be patient — horses react to anything new. Per Kool Kurtains: stand back at first (the horse may jump in and out the first couple of passes), reward standing near the panels, let your horse touch them with their nose, and walk in and out yourself a few times so the horse sees you do it without trouble. Within a few sessions, most horses learn there's nothing to fear and start seeking out the cool, screened space. Many owners report their horses come to enjoy the gentle brush of the Kurtains over their backs and sides as they pass through. Don't rush the desensitization — give it a few minutes the first day and most horses settle quickly.
Can I leave them up in winter, or do I take them down seasonally?
You can leave them up year-round. Many customers run Kool Kurtains on run-in sheds even in cold-climate states. Reported benefits in winter: keeping rain and snow out of the shelter (preserves bedding), blocking cold winter winds, and giving horses a sense of privacy and protection inside the run-in. The CS80 textile is durable and weather-resistant, so multi-season exposure isn't a degradation concern. If you'd rather pull them down for the winter, the grommet hanging method makes it a 5-minute job per panel.
What does a typical run-in shed installation cost?
Per Kool Kurtains: panels run $69–$99 each, depending on panel length (the 10.0' panels are at the upper end). Worked example from the source: a 15-foot wide opening that's 8 feet tall (no center pole) takes about 5 panels ordered at the 7.5-foot length (so the panels sit 4–6 inches off the ground). Five panels at $69–$99 puts a typical run-in opening in the $345–$495 range plus shipping. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors — confirm current pricing with Kool Kurtains directly. Custom orders, custom colors, and large applications (horse trailers, dog shelters, arena openings, barn windows, patios) are quoted on request.
Can Kool Kurtains do custom orders for non-barn applications?
Yes. Per Kool Kurtains, custom applications are a routine part of the business. Common custom orders include horse trailers (rear and side openings), dog shelters and kennels, barn windows (where standard panels don't fit the opening shape), arena openings, and patios and porches for human shade applications. Imagination-is-the-limit framing per Ellie at Kool Kurtains — call 301-407-0744 with your opening dimensions and intended use, and they'll quote and produce. Email [email protected]. Based in Ocala, Florida.
What are Kool Kurtains?
Kool Kurtains are technically advanced fabric panels that hang over barn, stall, run-in shed, and aisle openings to keep horses cooler and screen out pests. They are scientifically tested and certified to deflect up to 80% of the sun's heat rays. They cool passively, with no electricity, fans, or insecticides, while still allowing air to move through and horses, people, and equipment to pass freely.
Who makes Kool Kurtains?
Kool Kurtains™ are made by CS Technologies, LLC, also known as Certified Shade Technologies. The company manufactures the entire product line in the USA, including the proprietary CS80 fabric the panels are cut from.
How much do Kool Kurtains cost?
Standard 35.5-inch-wide panels are priced around $84.95, and the Dutch Door Topper runs about $109.95 through equestrian retailers. Prices vary by retailer and by panel length, since panels are offered in 6-inch length increments. Custom sizes and other line items like window covers and Fido Screens are priced separately.
What is CS80 fabric?
CS80 stands for Certified Shade 80, the exclusive textile CS Technologies developed for Kool Kurtains. It is an extremely durable, weather-resistant, antimicrobial fabric that resists fading, mold, and mildew. It has been scientifically tested and certified to a heat-ray deflection rate of up to 80%, and it is air-permeable so it breathes rather than sealing the space off.
How much cooler do Kool Kurtains make a barn?
By deflecting up to 80% of the sun's incoming heat rays, the panels keep the covered space noticeably cooler. Owners commonly report interiors running 10 to 15 degrees cooler than uncovered openings. Because the fabric is air-permeable, the cooling comes from blocking radiant heat without choking off natural ventilation.
Do Kool Kurtains keep flies and bugs out?
Yes. The panel design screens out biting insects such as flies and mosquitoes while still letting air through. Many owners find they can cut back significantly on fly spray once Kool Kurtains are installed, lowering both the cost and the chemical exposure in the barn.
Do Kool Kurtains keep birds out of the barn?
Yes. The panels block birds from entering through covered openings, which keeps droppings, nesting mess, and associated health hazards out of the stalls and feed areas. This is one of the most-cited benefits alongside heat and insect control.
What sizes do Kool Kurtains panels come in?
Standard panels are 35.5 inches (about 36 inches) wide and come in lengths from 7 feet to 10 feet in 6-inch increments, so you can match the height of your opening. The Dutch Door Topper is sized 4' x 4.7'. Custom sizing is available for non-standard openings.
What colors are available?
Kool Kurtains come in Black, Dark Bay (a chocolate brown), and Natural Weave (a light beige tweed). Color choice does not affect cooling performance, since all colors use the same certified CS80 textile. Natural Weave lets more daylight through, while the darker options are often chosen for run-in sheds.
How do Kool Kurtains install?
The panels hang from sturdy grommets sewn along the top edge, so installation is straightforward and does not require special equipment or wiring. The grommet design lets them adapt to a range of opening widths and heights. No electricity or hardware beyond mounting points is needed.
Are Kool Kurtains made in the USA?
Yes. CS Technologies manufactures the entire Kool Kurtains line entirely in the USA, and the CS80 textile itself is also produced domestically. This is a point the company emphasizes across its product information.
Is there a warranty on Kool Kurtains?
Kool Kurtains carry a lifetime guarantee on their 80% heat-deflection performance, plus a two-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects under normal use. The CS80 fabric is also engineered to resist fading, mold, and mildew so it holds up to long-term sun and weather exposure.
Can Kool Kurtains be used in winter?
Yes. Beyond summer cooling, the panels function as a weather barrier in colder months, helping shield the covered opening from wind and precipitation while still breathing. This makes them a year-round fixture rather than a seasonal item.
What can Kool Kurtains be used for besides stalls?
The line covers barn aisles, stall doors, Dutch doors, windows, run-in sheds, kennels, and other agricultural openings. Beyond the standard panels and Dutch Door Topper, the company makes Window Covers and Fido Screens for dog crates and kennels. Custom panels are available for openings that fall outside the standard sizes.
Do Kool Kurtains block airflow?
No. The CS80 textile is air-permeable, which is central to the design: it deflects radiant heat and screens out pests and birds while still letting air pass through. That airflow also helps prevent the moisture buildup that leads to mold and mildew inside the barn.
Where can I buy Kool Kurtains?
Kool Kurtains are available directly from koolkurtains.com and through major equestrian retailers including SmartPak Equine, Horse.com, and EquestrianCollections, among others. You can also follow the brand at facebook.com/koolkurtains to see installations and product information.
Does the color of the curtain affect how well it cools?
No. All Kool Kurtains colors are made from the same certified CS80 textile, so heat-deflection performance is the same regardless of whether you choose Black, Dark Bay, or Natural Weave. The practical difference is light transmission and appearance, with Natural Weave letting more daylight into the space.
