A curtain is a piece of cloth or other material intended to block or obscure light, air drafts, or (in the case of a shower curtain), water. A curtain is also the movable screen or drape in a theatre that separates the stage from the auditorium or that serves as a backdrop/background.
Curtains in the home or office are most often hung on the inside of a building's windows to block light and give privacy. At night curtains will help with sleeping, and stop being able to see inside.
Curtains come in a variety of shapes, materials, sizes, colours, and patterns. Curtains vary according to cleanability, ultraviolet light deterioration, oil and dust retention, noise absorption, fire resistance, and life span. Curtains may be operated by hand, with cords, by press-button pads or remote-controlled computers. They are held out of the way of the window by means of curtain tie-backs.
Measuring curtain sizes needed for each window varies greatly according to the type of curtain needed, window size, and type and weight of curtain. Handa crafts and curtains sell ready-made curtains, which you can buy online or in-store, and hang yourself (we also sell the hardware required), OR if you live in the Casino Northern NSW area, we made custom-made curtains and blinds, and come out and measure and quote at your home or office, then then hang them when the job is done.
Curtains are window decor and as far as we're concerned, they make the house a home! They complete the look and feel of your home, so they serve two purposes, the one mentioned above (blocking light and giving privacy) PLUS they soften hard glass and windows and bring softness into a space. Curtains help control the ambiance and flow of natural light into the room, and are the go-to window treatment because of their versatility, visual appeal and practicality.
Curtains (or blinds!) transform the appearance of any space (work or home), BUT it's important you choose the best curtains for the space. But finding the perfect curtains can be overwhelming, as the options are endless, so Brenda (owner of Handa Crafts and Curtains formerly Brenda's Curtains) who has been working in the curtains industry for over 40 years, has created this guide to help you choose the right curtains for the right space.
There are many types of curtains you get to choose from when you want to redecorate your house or office. Here are a few things to know;
- Single Panel Curtains
- Panel Pair Curtains
Panel Pair curtains come in matching pairs, allowing you to hang the two pieces of fabric on either side of the window. This design allows you to let in as much light as you want. Panel Pair Curtains are also known as double panel curtains. They refer to two curtain panels hanging on either side of the window. This is the most common style. Tab top curtains are made with narrow straps that loop or tie at the top edge and hang from the curtain pole.
- Pinch Pleat Curtains
Pinch pleat curtains are a highly decorative heading, drawing together lots of fabric into a tightly gathered and stitched bunch at the top. The permanently sewn-in pleats make for a smart finish, with elegant folds flowing from top to bottom. You can have pinch pleat curtains with either a pole or a track.
- Box Pleat Curtains
A box pleat is one of the most common types of pleats. It's formed when two equal folds of fabric are folded away from each other in opposite directions on the front of a length of fabric. The folds traditionally meet evenly at the centre back, but they don't have to meet at the centre.
- Goblet Pleat Curtains
Create a traditional and elegant look with permanent fixed Goblet Pleats. These pleats are permanently fixed for a tailored and luxury feel. Goblet pleats work best on longer length curtains to achieve the grand look on large windows. Pleats fall vertically down the curtain from the goblet which are stuffed with wool/wadding to retain their shape.
- Pencil Pleat Curtains
Pencil Pleat curtains are one of the most commonly used curtain heading types around. You’ve likely seen it everywhere from homes to schools, to workplaces and hotels. The simple pleats are created by pulling the cords within the curtain. This means you can alter the look by creating tighter or looser folds. By using less or more fullness, you can alter the amount of stack space required, and they look great whether you choose a plain or patterned fabric.
- Grommet Curtains
Grommet curtains use rings embedded in the header to serve as the guide for the curtain pole. The rings are rigid to help form well-defined, even pleats. Grommet curtains work well with stiff materials to give a crisp look to the fall of the fabric.
- Rod Pocket Curtains
The most classic and common of all methods of hanging curtains, a rod pocket is a sewn-in pocket, or casing, at the top of a curtain panel that easily slips over a rod and conceals it. Rod pocket curtains are specially made to fold over on top so the curtain rod can fit behind it and be unseen. This factor makes rod pocket curtains an easy choice if you already have the curtain rod installed in the wall. No extra equipment is needed to install the curtains. These types of curtains also look good with layered window coverings and atop solid coloured linens.
- Tab Top Curtains
Tab top curtains are simple panel curtains that are suspended from a rod or decorative pole by means of loops or tabs located at the top of the panels. The simple design of tab top curtains allows them to be used in a number of different room designs with equal effect. Tab top curtains feature exposed loops of fabric along the top. These wrap around the rail and support the weight of the curtain, for a vintage feel. Tab tops have been around for a while, long predating the invention of modern track systems, and for this reason they’re a great match for older properties.
- Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are a practical and stylish option that will save you money and allow you to sleep better. Blackout curtains are usually used by people who find it difficult to sleep due to a lot of light entering the room. As the name suggests, they completely block out light to create a conducive environment for you to sleep. Blackout curtains consist of a decorative fabric front and a blackout layer coated on the backside. The blackout layer is often made of a tightly woven fabric, while the best blackout curtains have foam or rubber backing to block off light completely.
If you would like to read our guide on buying ready-made curtains, click here. If you'd like to chat with us about custom-made curtains, click here.
Resources:
WIkipedia