Curtains are materials that are hung over a window for
decoration and other purposes. The main purposes are to provide
privacy, block sunlight and decoration.

If the window looks onto streets or sidewalks, then curtains
can be used for privacy. Translucent curtains like net curtains
or sheer curtains will only block sunlight partially. These
types of curtains do not provide any privacy, especially at
night. For privacy opaque curtains are better.

Curtains are also used for light control to prevent glare, for
sleeping during the day, or watching TV etc. Opaque curtains
are suited for light control. For partial light control sheer
or net type curtains are better suited.

Curtains are also used for increasing the aesthetic appeal of a
room. An elegant curtain greatly increases the aesthetics of a
room and gives an opulent look. On the contrary dirty or ill
matched curtains give a room a gloomy look. When the window
looks onto a street it is better to give thought to the
underside of the curtain as the curtain can be seen from
outside and will dictate the appearance of the house.

Types of Curtains.

There are lots of varieties of curtains available in the market
today. Few of them are:

Curtain Valance. These have deep frill fabrics framing the
window and usually the curtain rod is hidden. They generally
have pleated heading. The pleated headings can be decorated
using braid, ribbons, tassels and trimmings.

Cascade Curtains. Cascaded curtains consist of two or more
curtains hung over the window. The tiers are hung from
transoms.

Shirred curtains. These types of curtains have the fabric
threaded through curtain rods at the top and bottom.

Tie back curtains. These curtains are gathered at the sides of
the window and decoratively tied back at the lower part of the
curtain with a sleeve or cord.

Café curtains. These are designed to cover only half of the
window and are stationary. They are usually used in kitchens
and bathrooms for privacy and are made form scalloped headings.


Pelmets. Pelmets are structures mounted above the windows on
which the curtain rod is fixed.

The choice of curtains depends on the purpose for which the
curtains are being installed. Color, fabric and style of
curtain give the room a formal or informal appearance. There
are lots of decorative rods, pelmets, cordings, sleeves, beads,
fringes, rings, eyelets available in the market to decorate
curtains. Also a thought should be given on safety for floor
length curtains when pets and children are present in the
house.


About The Author: Keith George always writes about valuable
news & reviews. A related resource is
http://your-curtains.info/ Further information can be found at
http://about-sports.info/

Related Articles: