All about Draperies and Curtains

For first timers, buying custom draperies could be a tough decision to make, especially when selecting the fabric. This is because there are endless options to the fabric, pattern as well as color.

However, there are other decisions too that buyers need to make, and it will come handy in knowing the basic Scarborough draperies components and terminology for better communication with vendors to get good return to their investments.

Firstly, there is a difference between draperies and curtains, though it depends on the person using the term. Usually, draperies are heavier and formal with the top pleated.

In modern usage, curtains are taken to be ready-made, usually unlined and comes in a variety of lengths, while draperies are custom-made with the customer’s selected look and feel to it.

The functional Scarborough draperies move across a rod and opens and close to control the lighting and temperature of the room.

Stationary draperies are draped down the sides of a window or install at the top and are meant to add up to the personality to a room.

They bring in the attention to the window and its view and create optical illusions by making a window appear bigger.

Lining: it adds fullness to the draperies and makes them hang better. The other important function of lining is protection against sun damage and fading while giving a true color to the fabric. The presence of lining also gives a uniform look from the exterior and improves the curb appeal of the home.

The different types of linings available are light blockage lining, insulated or thermal backing to regulate temperature in extreme climates and sound-insulated lining for reduction of street noise.

Fullness: Fullness means the width of the fabric in comparison to the curtain rod, and is expressed as a ratio like 3-to-1.

It is better not to go for anything less than 2-to-1 fullness or else it will look ready made with its skimpy appearance.

Heading/Pleats: the style of the heading determines the look of the drapery as they hang from the rod. Pleated drapes are the usual choice.

There is no need to worry about the pleat terminology as the same pleat may be referred to by different names.

One also uses a Rod Pocket which is a casing to slip through the rod for complete concealment and is a common sight with curtains.

Height: the height determines how the draperies are hung.