General Questions About Drapes

What is the difference between a lined curtain and an unlined curtain?

The addition of a fabric lining to the back of a curtain fabric creates three distinct advantages over an unlined curtain. For example: 1) A lined curtain has superior insulation value against winter cold and summer heat. It can thereby help reduce your utility costs which is a good thing wherever you live. 2) Lined curtains also dampen or reduce sound from outside sources. 3) If privacy is something you value, then a lined curtain is a must. They offer you complete privacy and comfort. 4) Because the lining protects the fabric from damaging sun rot, lined curtains can last 10 to 15 years longer than unlined curtains. 5) Blackout - if you want to darken the room perhaps for sleeping, just add a "blackout" lining to your curtain. Unlined curtains are good alternatives when you want the most economical window covering. There are many colors and styles to choose from with unlined fabrics.

What is interlining?

Interlinings are ones that specifically provide superior insulation against unwanted heat or cold from entering through the windows of your home. Experts in insulation values rate thermal linings as reducing hot and cold air by up to 50 %! Heat loss in a room primarily occurs directly through the windows including insulated double pane windows. With constantly increasing costs for air conditioning and heating, it is no wonder why more and more customers are wisely selecting INTERLININGS on their curtains. If you live in an area with particularly cold or warm climates, you have even more reason to ask for a INTERLINING with your next curtain purchase and save on your utility costs.

What are blackout curtains?

Blackout curtains are our room darkening curtains similar to what you find at most hotels and motels. This is a popular window treatment option for bedroom use. They are also effective and cost efficient in eliminating unwanted light from entering a room. Of course, if you want light, just open up your blackout curtains. These curtains also reduce exterior sounds from the street or yard and insulate too from both heat and cold. Any curtain fabric we carry can have a blackout lining attached to it.

What is a tab top?

Tab tops are a very popular contemporary choice for window coverings. A tab top is a flat piece of fabric with wide tabs sewn in at the top that slip over a fixed or stationary rod. A tab top is a curtain made from any fabric you select on our site that has tabs (similar to the belt tabs on pants only wider). The tabs at the top of the drape slide onto a stationary rod that you mount on the wall. Tab tops primarily get pleating from the natural folds of the fabric that occur when the material is gathered together. These drapes provide a free flowing pleated look that you can also use custom tie-backs we sell to fashionably pull the drapes back away from one or both sides of the window.

What are pinch pleated drapes?

Pleating is the way in which the fabric is doubled into narrow vertical folds as it hangs. The pleats are spaced at intervals which controls the fullness. The more fabric that is pleated into the drapery panels, the fuller the draperies become.

What is a grommet drape?

A grommet drape is a decorative window treatment consisting of an un-pleated drape with stylish large circular grommets at the top that slip through a stationary rod. The drape gets its pleating from the natural folds that fall beneath the rod once the material is gathered together. Stationary rods are available in several different finishes (i.e. nickel, brass, black, antique copper, matte nickel) and come with custom finials on the ends to add an artistic touch that helps highlight the drape and rod.

Can I hang a pinch pleated drape on a stationary rod?

Typically, if you want a pinch pleated drape that doesnᾦtrade;t use the traditional hooks to attach it to the drape rod, then consider a pinch pleated drape that is held onto a stationary rod with “clips and rings". By using clips to hold the drape to the rod, you get traditional pleats along with the more modern look of “clips and rings". How do I pick a size of rod? Easy, whatever the “width size" of your drape is, match it to a rod that covers this size. For example, a drape that is 78 inches wide could use either a 48-84 inch rod or a 66-120. When the above rod size starts with 48, it means this is the smallest size the rod collapses down and 84, in the above example, is the largest the rod will expand.

How do I pick the style of rod I will need for my drapes?

Selecting the appropriate rod is a matter of style and function. It involves function because you have to decide whether you want to open and close your drape by using a cord drawn rod or do you prefer to manually pull the fabric itself to open and close the drape. Most people favor the normal cord drawn rod. A rod that opens with a cord is called a traverse rod. This means that the drape traverses across the rod when you open or close it. A traverse rod is a type of rod. But, there are also several "styles" of traverse rods ranging from the heavy duty white type to custom ones with rings attached and finials on the ends of the rod. The custom ones come in different colors and styles. You should try to match drape rods to complement your drape and somewhat match the design theme and style of your home (e.g. contemporary, vintage, etc.). Back to function, suppose you want a modern drape treatment such as “tab top" or “grommet drape". Since both of these types of drapes slip through the rod without any direct connecting part, then you need to use a stationary rod. The drapes can either be pulled away from the window as needed or you can attach “tie-backs" that hold the gathered drape to the side(s) of the window opening. Whatever your choice of rods, they are a great way to highlight your drape selection.

What is the difference between left, middle, and right pull rods?

To determine which pull you need, left, right, or middle, consider your perspective when the drapes will be in the open position. In other words, if you want the drapes to stack on the left side of the window (when in the open position) then order a left pull rod. An open drape that stacks on the right side of the window requires a right pull rod. A drape that opens in the middle and stacks on each side of the window is called a middle draw rod.

What is crinoline or buckram?

Crinoline is a stiffener used at top or head of drapery. Crinoline is sometimes also being referred to as buckram or stiffener. Its purpose is to give strength to the heading and shape to the pleating. This area and our attention to it is very important to the longevity of the drapery.

What is the best color or style to choose for a drape?

Ultimately, it is a matter of personal taste and preference. But, here are a few helpful tips: First, try to pick a color and style that complements the roomᾦtrade;s dfcopy;cor and color scheme. For example, if you have a lot of antique or vintage furniture, it is probably not a good idea to pick a contemporary drape style. You would instead want to use a more traditional looking drape. Second, when possible, try to stay with a neutral color drape. The reason is that a neutral color drape will often allow you to later change the furniture or even wall color and not have to replace the window treatment again. A neutral color drape blends in with almost anything. So, consider off white fabrics, whites, earth tones, etc.

Can you wash drapes in a washing machine?

Sometimes you can wash drapes, but, it is generally not advisable. Unless the drape you own has a cotton/polyester or polyester composition, you probably should not wash it. Dry cleaning is a gentle approach to cleaning although you should only do it if necessary and every few years if needed. Oftentimes, you can just spot clean a drape with gentle cleaner or detergent, of course, depending on the fabric. Silk drapes/curtains: DRY CLEAN ONLY.