7 Things to Consider Before Buying Curtains
                     7 Things to Consider Before Buying 
Curtains
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● Choosing the Correct Shade to your Doors and Windows 
When you say curtain shopping, you are also looking at some alternatives. Let us address the fine line between these 
options.
● Curtains : Curtains are made from lighter fabrics and are generally unlined. They are also generally the cheaper 
alternative.
● Drapes : These are floor-length curtain treatments with heavy fabrics and lining to add weight. They are mostly used in 
more formal spaces like the living or dining room. They also bring about a royal and rich feel to the surroundings.
● Blinds : Blinds are a pragmatic alternative to curtains and drapes, especially for busy spaces. These are space-saving 
and attractive hard coverings which are easy to fit and they do not need poles.
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● Curtain Headings 
The top hem or heading of your curtains will contribute to the overall look and fall of your curtains and window/door dressing. 
This must be taken well into consideration.
● Pencil pleats : This is the traditional standard style of curtain heading. Folds are gathered closely together and may 
offer a range of variety in width from narrow to wide pleats. These curtains are generally hung onto the curtain poles 
using hooks or rings.
● Pleated : you may also find a variety of styles in pleats of the curtain headings; namely box pleats, pinch pleats and 
goblet pleats. These are stylized variations to the conventional pencil pleated.
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● Curtain Length Guide
You might want to measure you curtain or door lengths, inclusive of the additional frame you want covered, before making a 
buy. Consider whether you want the curtain to hang exactly around the frame or slightly above, whether you want the width 
to end exactly at the frame or a little further to avoid the light seeping through. See whether you want the curtain to hang only 
as long as the windowsill or longer. In case of door and balcony window curtains, sometimes a puddle of at the bottom gives 
a hint of opulence. Moreover, this is all a matter of choice and convenience. However, the standard market length of curtains 
remain 60 inches (5 ft.) for windows and 84 inches (7 ft.) for doors. The standard width is around 46 inches (3.8 ft.). 
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● Curtain Fabric 
Choice of the fabric in curtains vastly contributes to their look and feel.
● Polyester curtains : Polyester is the more widely used fabric among curtains. It is resistant to mildew and require less 
maintenance. There is a huge variety within polyester fabrics too. Polyester fabrics are often mixed with cotton and 
wool. They offer opacity in a degree depending on their thread count and GSM (grams per square), from 50% to 
100%.
● Sheer Curtains : These curtains allow most of the light through the fabric. They are translucent covers which keep the 
room airy and light. These are made using fabrics such as silk, rayon and nylon. 
● Plastic : Only in case of shower curtains, plastic is the best material. It keeps the durability very high in shower 
curtains.
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● Light Control 
Curtains make up the ambience of a room up to a certain level owing to their light control characteristics.
● Blackout curtains : These offer utmost darkness. They are curtains made of heavy fabrics to block the light out 
completely. Typically they also have a blackout lining to add effect.
● Opaque curtains : These curtains, not as heavy as blackout, also have a lining to filter the light. They cannot offer 
absolute darkness but will obstruct enough light to create a soft glow.
● Sheer curtains : These allow most of the sunlight through and provide a bright atmosphere indoors.
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● Seams and Fall 
All others criteria said, the one you will not so easily find or know of is the proportional relation between the seams and the 
fall of a curtain. When you are shopping for curtains, prefer to buy curtains which have bottom seam at a length of at least 3 
to 5 inches and side seams at a length of 1 cm. This directly affects the fall of the curtains. Anything below these 
measurements and your curtains will keep flying around the windows.
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● Wash Care 
Make sure you know the wash care details before you pay the bill on any product. While most curtains are washing machine 
friendly nowadays, you do not want to ruin a high end curtain fabric because it was not dry cleaned. Take extra care and 
remove rings, hooks and eyelets before putting the curtains into the machine to avoid damage to either.
Whatever the wash care instructions, the first wash is best done in cold water. It protects the color, fabric and longevity.
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Story@Home provides designer Curtains online with premium quality & affordable prices.Get the designer curtains for the 
windows and doors for your home online. We have a range of quality-cotton curtains for all your decor needs. Order now!
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