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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 the two measurements I need to order Kool Kurtains?
You only need to take two measurements: the width of the opening you want to cover and the drop, or height, from the header down to where the panel should hang. Standard panels are 35.5" wide, so the width tells you how many panels to order, and the drop tells you which standard length to choose. Because everything ships pre-sized, you never have to cut or hem the fabric yourself.
What sizes do Kool Kurtains Panels come in?
Kool Kurtains Panels come standard 35.5" wide and in standard lengths in 6" increments from 7.0' through 10.0'. Each panel has a 2" reinforced header with grommets across the top for easy installation. Custom sizes are available for non-standard openings and applications.
How many panels do I need per stall or aisle?
For a single horse stall, the maker recommends two 7-foot panels. For an average 12-foot barn aisle, five 8-foot panels are recommended. Adjacent panels should overlap one another by 4 to 6 inches so there are no open gaps for sun, bugs, or birds to get through.
How do Kool Kurtains attach to my barn?
Each panel has a 2" reinforced header with grommets along the top, and panels are usually attached to the inside header of the aisle or run-in. The grommets let you hang them from hooks, screws, or a rod. Two rules keep the install working well: panels should never touch the ground and should never cover a center post or pole.
What is CS80 fabric?
CS80 is CS Technologies, LLC's exclusive proprietary textile and the material every Kool Kurtain is made from. It is scientifically tested and proven to deflect up to 80% of the sun's heat rays while still allowing air to flow through. The weave is also weather resistant, fade resistant, mold and mildew resistant, flame retardant, and antimicrobial.
How much heat do Kool Kurtains block?
Kool Kurtains are scientifically tested and proven to deflect up to 80% of the sun's heat rays. This passive cooling drops the temperature behind the panels noticeably, which is why customers describe a clear difference in temperature on their barn aisles, windows, and stall doors. The heat-deflection rate is identical regardless of which color you choose.
Does the color affect heat deflection?
No. The deflection rate of the sun's heat rays is exactly the same for all colors, so picking Black, Dark Bay, or Natural Weave is purely a matter of looks and light. Darker shades allow less light to penetrate and may deter flying insects a little better. All three deflect up to 80% of the sun's heat rays equally.
What colors are available?
Standard colors are Black, Dark Bay (a chocolate brown), and Natural Weave (a light beige tweed). Special-order options include white, hunter green, grey, and beige. Every color uses the same CS80 fabric and delivers the same heat-deflection performance.
Do Kool Kurtains keep out bugs and birds?
Yes. The CS80 weave screens out bugs and birds while still letting a breeze pass through, which is how Kool Kurtains create what the company calls a cool, bug-free, and bird-free haven for horses. Overlapping panels by 4 to 6 inches removes the open gaps that pests would otherwise use. Darker panels can deter flying insects slightly better because they let in less light.
Can I leave Kool Kurtains up in winter?
Yes. Several customers leave Kool Kurtains up on run-in sheds year round, even in colder climates, where they provide wind and weather screening. The fabric is weather resistant and built to stay out through the seasons. If you prefer, the grommet-and-hook mounting also makes them easy to take down and rehang.
How much do Kool Kurtains cost?
Kool Kurtains Panels are priced $95.88 – $131.88 depending on the length you choose. The Kool Kurtains Dutch Door panel is $125.88. Pricing and size/color options are selected on each product page in the online store at koolkurtains.com.
How long does shipping take?
Kool Kurtains ship within six business days of your order, and most orders ship much quicker than that. Because panels are made to your selected size and color, a short lead time covers production. Orders are placed through the online store at koolkurtains.com.
What warranty comes with Kool Kurtains?
Kool Kurtains carry a lifetime performance guarantee on heat deflection, meaning the panels are warranted to keep deflecting the sun's heat rays. They also include a limited two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Combined with the durable, USA-made CS80 fabric, this backs the product for long-term barn use.
Where are Kool Kurtains made?
Kool Kurtains are manufactured entirely in the USA, and the CS80 textile they are cut from is also domestically produced. The product is made by CS Technologies, LLC. Buying domestically made panels means consistent quality control over both the fabric and the finished panels.
Can Kool Kurtains be used somewhere other than horse stalls?
Yes. Beyond stall doors and barn aisles, they work on run-in sheds, Dutch doors, windows, and arenas. The company also builds custom Kool Kurtains for dog kennels, horse trailers, and residential and industrial uses. As the maker puts it, they can be used almost anywhere shade, bug screening, or bird screening is desired.
Will Kool Kurtains work for animals other than horses?
Kool Kurtains have not been formally tested with many other farm animals or livestock besides horses, though the company is open to collaborating on testing new uses. The fabric's shade, airflow, and bug- and bird-screening benefits aren't horse-specific, which is why custom panels are also made for dog kennels. If you have a non-horse application, it's worth contacting them to discuss a custom build.
Why do Kool Kurtains let air through instead of just blocking the opening?
The CS80 fabric is a breathable, permeable weave rather than a solid sheet, so it deflects up to 80% of the sun's heat rays while still allowing airflow. That combination is what makes the space behind the panels both cooler and well-ventilated rather than stuffy. Horses get shade and a breeze at the same time, which is why customers report their animals choosing to stand behind the panels.
