If you're evaluating sound dampening curtains, two names will come up fast: ZipQuick® SD by KEMTEX® and Hush Curtain® by Chinook Acoustics. Both address the same critical problem. But they solve it very differently — and those differences have real operational and financial consequences.
Why Sound Dampening Curtains Are No Longer Optional
The WHO recommends hospital noise not exceed 35 dB during the day and 30 dB at night. In reality, studies published in JAMA show average nighttime U.S. hospital noise regularly hits 50–70 dB — equivalent to a vacuum cleaner running next to a recovering patient. (Source: Alertify.io) Excessive noise disrupts sleep, elevates blood pressure, increases pain sensitivity, and extends recovery times. (Source: ReadinessRounds.com)
Then there's the HCAHPS dimension. "Quietness of Hospital Environment" is consistently one of the lowest-scoring domains nationally — with only ~60% of patients reporting satisfaction. Because quietness scores tie directly to CMS Medicare reimbursement under the Value-Based Purchasing program, this is a bottom-line issue, not just a comfort issue. (Source: Alertify.io)
The Contenders
ZipQuick® SD | zipquickcurtains.com
Part of the complete ZipQuick® Hospital Curtain System — proprietary integrated lining, no baffles, no disassembly. Ever.
- ✓ Proprietary integrated sound-dampening lining
- ✓ 100% light blocking
- ✓ NFPA 701 fire safety compliant
- ✓ Fully machine washable as-is — no disassembly required
- ✓ 100+ wash cycle lifecycle — no fading, shrinking, or tearing
- ✓ Unlimited designer fabric options
- ✓ KEMTEX 5-Year Warranty
- ✓ Part of The ZipQuick® Proprietary Color-Coded Curtain Management System
Hush Curtain® | hushcurtain.com
Legitimate acoustic track record with published third-party testing. Some operational limitations to consider.
- ✓ Patented acoustical baffle system — 10 internal "engines"
- ✓ 70% improvement in reverberation time (third-party tested)
- ✓ 35–50% reduction in perceived noise vs. standard curtains
- ✓ HIPAA compliant for speech privacy
- ✓ SAM.gov registered for VA hospital procurement
- ⚠ Traditional fabric requires baffle removal before laundering
- ⚠ No publicly specified light-blocking capability
- ⚠ No published wash lifecycle or warranty
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Hush Curtain® | ZipQuick® SD |
|---|---|---|
| Sound dampening | Yes — baffle system | Yes — integrated lining |
| Light blocking | Not specified | 100% blackout |
| NFPA 701 compliant | Varies | Standard |
| Single-piece curtain construction | No — 36" and 66" sections that must be pieced together to cover wider tracks | All sizes are one-piece single construction |
| Machine washable as-is | Only vinyl option; traditional requires baffle removal | Always — no disassembly |
| Wash lifecycle | Not specified | 100+ cycles |
| Warranty | Not specified | KEMTEX 5-Year |
| Designer fabric options | Limited | Full collection |
| Complete management system | Curtain only | Color-coded, standardized sizing |
Where the Real Cost Lives: Laundering
Hush Curtain's traditional fabric option requires removing ten internal acoustic baffles per 66" section before every laundry cycle, then reinstalling each one after. Per their own product documentation: "The traditional fabric option houses the acoustical panels in built-in pockets that allow for easy removal of the panels prior to laundering." (Source: healthcarefacilitiestoday.com)
Based on 25 min/curtain (20 min baffle removal + 5 min section connecting) at $27/hr fully burdened. Source: ZipRecruiter.com for wage data.
ZipQuick® SD eliminates that cost entirely. Load it. Wash it. Done.
Note: Hush Curtain's vinyl Clean-in-Place™ option does not require baffle removal — but it's a vinyl laminate product, not the fabric-forward option most hospital design teams specify.
The Light Blocking Advantage
Noise is one clinical stressor slowing patient recovery. Light is the other. ZipQuick® SD solves both — in a single curtain. No separate blackout liner, no retrofitting, no additional product to source or budget.
Hush Curtain® does not publicly specify a light-blocking capability. If your facility needs both acoustic and blackout performance — as most acute care environments do — that's a second product to procure, manage, and launder.
Conclusion
Hush Curtain® has earned its reputation. Its acoustic credentials are real, its third-party testing is published, and hospitals across the country report meaningful results. If sound reduction alone is the goal and you opt for the vinyl Clean-in-Place™ option, it is a credible product.
But ZipQuick® SD delivers more — with less operational burden. Sound dampening and 100% light blocking. No baffle handling. No disassembly. NFPA 701 compliance, a 5-Year Warranty, a 100+ wash lifecycle, and full designer fabric options — all as part of a complete hospital curtain solution — The ZipQuick® Proprietary Size Management System that eliminates the sizing chaos most facilities have simply accepted as normal.
For procurement teams serious about patient outcomes, HCAHPS performance, and total cost of ownership, ZipQuick® SD is the operationally sound choice.
📞 Ready to Upgrade Your Facility?
Our healthcare specialists are ready to build the right solution for your facility's size, layout, and budget — department by department, bay by bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ZipQuick® SD work with my existing curtain track?
Yes. Compatible with all standard ceiling-mounted curtain track systems. No infrastructure changes required.
How do ZipQuick® SD and Hush Curtain® compare on actual noise reduction?
Both reduce ambient noise and improve reverberation time. The key difference is operational: ZipQuick® SD launders with zero disassembly, while Hush Curtain's traditional fabric requires piecing together sections, baffle removal, and reinstallation at every wash cycle — adding significant hidden labor cost.
How do I get a quote?
Call 800-201-4686 or contact us online. We'll assess your departments, bay counts, and fabric preferences and turn around a detailed quote for your procurement team.