Choosing the right curtain fabric for your home can be quite daunting. This is because each room in a home tends to require a different curtain fabric. However, there are a few guidelines that can make this task quite manageable if not outright simple. Below is a description of the necessary considerations that need to be observed when choosing the right curtain fabrics for your home.
1. Properties of the fabric
Each fabric has particular properties that are specific to it. These properties include the following:
– Photo sensitivity
This property refers to the observed effects of exposing a particular fabric to the sun. After a prolonged period of time of exposure to both direct and indirect sunlight, fabrics tend to undergo certain changes. These changes are related to the sun’s ultraviolet component. Ultraviolet light primarily causes gradual oxidation of the pigments used to color the fabric. This light is also responsible for the gradual change in the properties of the yarns making up the fabric. These changes manifest in the form of fading colors the curtains and the loss of fabric strength.
Curtain fabrics can be composed of one type of yarn or a combination of two or more individual yarns. These individual yarns include cotton silk, polyester, nylon, rayon and a number of other variations. Curtains of pure silk tend to be very prone to sun exposure and should not therefore be used without blinds. Cotton canvas curtains tend to have a high resilience to solar exposure and are therefore ideal for sunny living room windows. However, such cotton curtains should have bright colors because cotton tends to fade with prolonged solar exposure. Curtains made from synthetic yarns such as rayon and polyester tend to be almost unaffected by exposure to the sun.
– Thread density
The higher the thread density of a particular curtain fabric the heavier the curtain becomes. A high thread density usually means that the curtains will last longer as well as retaining the original color without fading. This is why most curtain fabrics for the home tend to have a high thread density.
– Weave patterns
The type of weave used on a curtain fabric is determined by whether a curtain is intended for decorative use or simple functional use. Most curtain fabrics are for decorative use and hence feature intricate weave patterns such satin, twill and damask weaves. The weave patterns on a curtain fabric contribute to the texture of the fabric.
2. The room in which the curtain is to be used
The room in which a curtain is to be used can determine the nature of curtain fabric that is chosen. This is because the room greatly influences the function of the curtain in the particular room. Each room of a house has a curtain fabric ideal for it as described below:
– Curtain fabrics for the ever-sunny living room
The right curtain fabric for the living room should allow light to get into the room while still allowing the room’s residents to have their privacy. This implies that such curtain fabrics should be light and hence should possess a low thread density. The ever present sunlight means that the curtains should also have low photo-sensitivity. Furthermore, the curtains fabrics should be brightly colored in order to enhance the sunny theme of the room. This eventually means that the curtain fabrics chosen for the living room should be made of low thread density cotton.
– Curtains fabrics for the kitchen
The curtain fabric used for the kitchen should be a fabric that does not easily absorb the staining particulates found in the kitchen. These particulates include un burnt carbon and vaporized oil droplets. The curtain fabric should therefore be able to withstand repeated cleaning with fairly harsh cleaning agents. This means that the ideal curtain fabric for the kitchen should be mainly synthetic. Furthermore, the kitchen tends to require quarter lace curtains that allow for both the entry of sunlight as well as serving a decorative function.
– Curtain fabrics for the bedrooms
Curtain fabrics for the bedroom tend to have a high thread density and are therefore heavy. This is because the curtains main function is to ensure privacy of the bedroom. A good example of a fabric ideal for the bedroom is the opaque, full-length, high thread density cotton canvas colored in dark hues. Such curtain fabrics are usually used together with equally dark colored blinds which ensure the bedroom remains dark and private.
– Curtain fabrics for the bathroom
The curtain fabrics used for the bathroom tend to be high thread density half length curtains. This is because the curtains function is to keep the bathroom private while still allowing some light to pass through. The colors of the curtains are usually creamy shades of white.
– Curtain fabrics for the dining room
The curtain fabrics tend to be influenced by the theme of the dining room. Some element of privacy is desired so medium density fabrics are usually preferred. The color of the curtain fabrics can range from light to dark hues.
3. Additional function of the curtain
The additional functions that curtain fabrics, other than the decorative and simple functionality, include energy conservation, reduction of light intensity and the setting of the theme in a room. The energy conservation function is usually critical during cooler climate such as during the winter and cold rainy weather. It is common knowledge that most of the heat lost during cold weather is lost through the windows. This is why high thread curtains fabrics are ideal for windows on the outer perimeter of the house. These curtain fabrics tend to be thick and hence prevent most of the heat from within from reaching the house.
Curtains are used for enhancing privacy when the room in question is one where this element is required. This has been elaborated above in the second section on the factors used in determining the choice of curtain fabric. Curtains can be used to give a room a formal or informal feel. This element is influenced by the color and length of the fabric. All in all, the choice of curtain fabric chosen eventually lies in a home owner’s tastes and preference.