Instead of our usual Wednesday Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down post, today we’re both giving a big Thumbs up to Richard with Horizon Window Treatments by welcoming him as our guest author. Richard followed our recent window treatment article and offered this great information to share.
Pros and Cons of Window Fabrics
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The type of fabric that your curtains are made of can have a big impact on how long they will last and how easy it is to maintain them and keep them looking good. Many people who purchase new draperies are more concerned with their look and color as opposed to what fabric they are made of. But, if you understand the positives and negatives of the most common drapery fabrics, you’ll be able to select the one that is best for your home.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most common fabrics used for home furnishings due to its versatility, durability, and comfort. It has a variety of finishes, patterns and designs, colors, and weights. Cotton is also very easy to clean. However, cotton can shrink, stretch or wrinkle very easily. Exposure to sunlight can also weaken cotton, so draperies made from this type of fabric aren’t necessarily the best idea depending on how much sunlight the window gets and how long your want the drapes to last.
Acrylic
Acrylic is another type of common curtain fabric that is lightweight and soft. It has an appealing wooly texture and is ideal for homes or areas which need a warm atmosphere. The main negative aspect of acrylic blends is that it tends to pill (come off in flakes or scales) if rubbed up against. This is less of a problem in terms of window treatments as curtains are not very likely to be rubbed up against very often.
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Polyester
Polyester curtains are also quite common and actually have quite a few pros. For one, polyester is very affordable. It is also strong, crease and stretch resistant and very easy to clean. Polyester is also hydrophobic (does not absorb water) and quick drying. The only negative side to polyester is that it tends to pill like acrylic does, but this is only if your drapes are pure polyester and not a blend.
Silk
Silk is a very popular fabric for draperies as it can add real warmth and luxurious beauty to a room. Silk has a magnificent presence, especially when the fabric is rich in color, so you can add an almost regal look to your room by using luxurious silk for your drapery. It has great “hand” which means it holds its shape but is soft enough to drape well. But as with all fabrics, silk does have its down side. Silk is damaged easily by the sun (it causes the threads to rot) so using it on windows that get a lot of sunlight isn’t recommended unless the drapes are lined. Silk is also prone to water-spotting and is more expensive compared to other fabrics.
These are just a few of the fabrics that can be used for curtains. There are many other types, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to consider the characteristics of the fabric and what is best for your home’s specific needs when you shop for new window treatments.
What About Your Window Treatments?
Thanks Richard for sharing this information. Many of us forget to think about practical things like how long something will last or how much maintenance it might take when we’re considering drapery looks – we’re usually too busy thinking about color and length and how many panels, etc. Speaking for myself, I surely don’t want draperies that have to be ironed, so pure cotton or linen is out for me!
What fabric treatments are you using? How have they worked for you and have they held up? Would you use that fabric again or would you make a switch? Share your experiences, we can all learn from one another. Comment below or email us at solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com.
CostPlus has draperies and hardware at 50% off through the end of the month.
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I was really not aware of silk curtains. Where do you get these?
I deal a lot with silk bedding and the benefits of silk to sleep on are great. I am very intrigued about the curtains. I do agree the beauty of silk though is amazing.
It is amazing that many people don’t consider how long fabrics last. Most time is pays you back more money to purchase the more expensive option because it will last longer.
Silk drapes are readily available. Certainly stores like Penneys and Macy’s will have them, possibly even Bed Bath & Beyond. Online sources like Smith+ Noble have a wide selection too. Just like anything else, there are variations in price depending upon quality, but even the least expensive silk blend still has a great hand and sheen.
Great question! Generally the heavier and more textured the fabric, the greater the sound absorption. Therefore sheers and light silks won’t give you as much help as something like a heavy wool or corduroy or textured weave. Layering helps: drapes over sheers over blinds (though not hard wood blinds). Using lined drapes (whether for black out, privacy or light protection) adds another layer of cloth too. Volume also helps. Instead of hanging single panels at each side of a window, hang multiples as if there were enough to go all the way across the window (and more). That fabric folded back upon itself will create “baffles” that will absorb sound. Extend the fabric floor to ceiling – it looks great and gives extra sound control.
Hope this helps you.
Thank you! I didn’t know any of that; your advice is invaluable!
What about sound absorption? I am interested in reducing the echos in my new house, and I’m wondering if there are some fabrics that are better than others at absorbing sounds.