June 21, 2017
The most important element in choosing drapery is obviously the look: how they will improve the beauty of the room. But there are other things to consider when choosing drapery. Depending on the kind you buy, they can affect the amount of sound, light, and heat that enters or leaves a room.
Drapery with linings can help to moderate the temperature of a room, as well as providing a sound barrier. Heavy drapery or those with double-linings are also very effective at preventing light from coming into a room.
Two of the most prominent types of these heavier drapes are blackout drapery and thermal lined drapery.
This kind of drapery is made from fabric that is woven very compactly (more dense) or layered, usually from material such as flannel or velvet. Blackout drapery can also be made by adding a similarly constructed blackout liner to the drapery. This type of drapery is very effective at keeping out light, and can help insulate a room by preventing sunlight from entering.
Because the material in blackout curtains is often synthetic, you should avoid washing, bleaching or ironing them. The best way to remove dirt is by spot cleaning or steaming.
Their primary function is insulation, even though they also keep out light. Heat is lost through windows because glass is not a good insulator. Moreover, cracks can develop between the window and the frame, leading to heat loss.
Thermal drapery generally has two to three layers of heavy weight fabric, with a base of insulate material and a polyester-film vapor barrier. The drapery is made of cotton, silk, or wool. The side that faces the window is coated with acrylic foam to protect the fabric from damage by ultraviolet light.
The layering of thermal drapery is also effective at keeping out noise.
Both types of drapery can help lower your energy bills. In the winter, they help to keep the heat in, so you pay less for heating. And in the summer, they help to keep the heat out, so you don’t have to pay as much for air conditioning.
Deciding which type of drapery to use depends on what you want to use them for. If your home is well insulated, and you are more interested in keeping out the light, you would want to use blackout drapery. However, if your home is not well insulated, and you are more concerned about heat loss, the better choice is thermal drapery.
When designing the rooms in your home, office, resort, or business center, don’t forget about drapery! Contact us here at GP Drapery to learn more about how the right kind of drapery can change the ambience of a room quickly.