It’s much easier to have fun with home design utilizing the decorative features of curtains than it used to be. This is simply because the role of the curtain has veered from being an actual functional tool to being merely decorative in nature.
There is a difference between drapes and curtains that passes over many peoples heads. Drapes are usually longer hanging almost to the floor from a rod called a traverse rod, and hangs from hooks that will let you open them by pulling on a cord. These are more formal than curtains which are usually shorter and opened and closed by pulling on the sides of them where the hooks will slide from where the curtain suspends from the rod. Sometimes they aren’t opened or closed at all, being tied back to the window frame, therefore they are usually paired with a window blind or some other type of sun blocking window coverings.
Likely the type of curtain that you’ll most often see is a panel curtain. This is the type of curtain that is hemmed at the top and bottom, and are hung by hooks or rings and simply hang in a natural fold, which gives the window very little of a formal look. This type of curtain is popular for dining rooms and/or bedrooms, and often paired up with blinds or shades.
A different type of curtain that is hung actually at the center of the window is called a Café Curtain. This type of curtain is one in which leaves the top of the window actually exposed, and covers from the center, or even three quarters up covered. The curtains are best for kitchens or dining areas that are not formal.
The tiered curtain has multiple panels which have usually a couple of panels covering the top of the two base panels. So, the bottom half of the windows are covered by the base panel, with the top half being covered by the outer panels, as well as overlapping the base panels.
You can get curtains in separate distinctive lengths as well. A sill length curtain can be hung from both the top or the halfway point of the window, with the bottom hem not touching the WINDOWSill at all. Or you can hang below the sill curtains which are cut so that the bottom hangs right below the trim board that runs across the bottom of the window.
The other cut is the floor cut, which obviously means that the bottom hangs to the floor, or right above it.
Depending on the amount of light that you want to come into the room you can also get lined curtains that will have an extra lining of material that will help to block more light. There are even triple lined curtains that have three panels that are very dark. These also provide protection from other outside elements such as cold air and excessive heat in the summer months.
Curtains are a great way to accent your homes beauty, as well as decorate the brand new home. Have fun and enjoy the process.
Ken Morris
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/curtains-or-drapes-for-window-coverings-98481.html
Can someone please define the following terms?: window treatments, curtains, drapes, tab top?
These are all related to window coverings, but what are the differences between the first three and what does the last one mean? Also, how does one differentiate between the kind of window coverings that require hooks (whether or not they can be opened and closed by pulling on a cord) and the kind that have a pocket at the top that slides over a plain rod?
Also, the term "panel". What specifically does that mean?
sorry, i don’t know what the last one means.
window treatments are just something that you put on your window, it’s not specific. there are different kinds of window treatments that include blinds, curtains and drapes.
curtains are basically long cloths that come in an assortment of styles that you hang form a rod with small rings. you can find them pretty much anywhere.
there are also blinds which are better for letting in light an letting out light for privacy.
References :
1] Window treatments: any indoor covering on a window – blinds, shades, shutters, curtains, drapes
2] curtains: a pice of cloth, hung from a rod via ‘pocket’, to block or obscure light
3] draperies: cloth ior covering arranged in loose folds, generally hung form hooks on rods
4] tab top: curtains or drapes that hang from tabs [ similar to belt loops ] on rod
5] panel – one piec of cloth [ such as half a curtain or drape set ]
References :
years of experience
Curtain generally refer to material that slides on to a rod and it is not lined. This same method applies to "tab top" which is a more contemporary look, (ref. #1 shows both the std. valance that slides on and tab top cafe curtains) The opening/closing is done manually.
A panel is one section of the window material. If you have a small window, you would generally use 2 panels….one on the left of the rod & one on the right. If you have a larger window, you may need 2 panels per side. Curtains are generally add a more casual look to your window.
Now drapes will lend a more formal look and are usually on a corded traverse rod (but not always) that opens on the side (see ref #3). They are usually lined. Each pleat has a slide w/hole to hook on to the traverse rod. This type of rod is not nearly as popular as it was 20 years ago….I am happy for that.
The other option to keep the pleated look on a contemporary rod with ring/clips. (see ref. # for the pleated drape & the contemporary rod). The open/close is done manually. Sometimes people just have stationary panels to do nothing more than frame the window.
To me, window treatments are to windows, what eyebrows are to your face. Hope this clears things up for you!
References :
http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=60156&CatID=60437&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=1552c68&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=EXTERNAL|60193&Fltr=&Srt=&QL=F&IND=1&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=external|60193|60437
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