Curtains 101: Everything you need to know
Whether you're furnishing a new home, renovating or refreshing your interiors, curtains are one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform your home. Plus, curtains are on-trend right now, adding style and value to your home.
But with so many fabrics and options available, where do you start? We’ve pulled together our expertise to give you some guidance and help:
Why Choose Curtains?
Curtains do more than just dress your windows. They offer:
- style and a soft look - adding warmth, elegance or a statement to any room
- privacy - from neighbours or passers-by
- insulation - best thermal qualities, reduce winter heat loss, cooler in summer
- light control - soft filtering to full blockout
What do Curtains Cost/How Long to Make?
Our goal at Premier Shades is to balance value with quality to create a competitively priced curtain service. Your fabric choice, window size and other options all impact cost so budget $1,000 to $3,000 per window. From measure to installation takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
What Curtain Do You Recommend?
Premier Shades recommends poly or poly blend fabric as the best overall performer with an S-wave pleat, slimline tracks, 2x fullness (see below) and 5-10ml off the floor. This is a very contemporary look that's great value.
Do I need Blinds with Curtains?
Many of our customers pair sheer fabric curtains with roller blinds or shutters. Curtains with linings generally don’t need further light blocking.
Curtain Options to Consider:
Fullness:
The volume of fabric used in the width of the curtain. For example, 2x is Premier Shades standard, meaning if the window is 2 metres wide, 4 metres width of fabric is used. Fullness affects price, look (more full = more luxurious) and stacking.
Stacking:
The amount the curtain bunches when it’s closed. For example, a sheer S-wave 2x fullness will stack 20-25% of the curtain width. A heavy blockout fabric stacks at 35%. Stacking affects how your curtain and window looks.
Pooling:
Refers to how far the fabric sits above the floor or extra length gathers on the floor. Standard is 5-10ml off the floor (Premier Shades recommends) and touching. Past the floor is: breaking (10-20ml); sweeping (50-60ml) and puddling (160ml). Note that ‘past the floor’ options require more frequent cleaning. Curtain fabric, weight and environmental factors can affect the actual curtain length in your home and can change over time.
Fabric Choice:
Acoustic fabric is often used in media rooms keeps sound in, doesn’t block all sound coming in. Sheer fabric is light and semi-transparent, perfect for daytime privacy without blocking natural light. Blockout fabric has high light blocking and thermal qualities, especially when lined. Fabric materials include: naturals (linen, cotton, etc) and synthetics (poly, poly/blend; acrylic; recycled); plain colour and patterns.
Tracks:
Curtain Tracks can be fitted to the wall, window architrave face, or ceiling. There are many track designs including deco, slimline (most popular), rods and heavy duty (for heavier curtains).
Lining:
Curtains are lined to protect the fabric (eg linens should be lined) or to blockout light, for example in bedrooms. Not all fabrics or applications need linings.
Pleat Types:
Include S-wave (most popular - regular, smooth wave folds), triple pinch, traditional double-pinch and reverse box (flat pleat style).
Motorisation:
Motorised curtains are convenient and can integrate into your home automation system.
Curtain Displays in our Showrooms
We have curtain displays in our Wyoming and Hornsby showrooms where our experienced consultants are available to help you choose the perfect curtains for your home.
Free In-home Consultation
We offer a free in-home curtain consultation (including measure and quote). It’s important to see your windows to be able to recommend the best options.
Call us on 4324 8800 or you can come and see our Curtains at Wyoming on the Central Coast or inside JBA Carpet Court in Hornsby.
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