There are so many different kinds of window treatments available for you to choose from, including drapes and curtains. J and R’s wanted you to know the difference between the two so that you could fully understand the importance of getting your drapes professionally cleaned. This article comes from The Spruce.
What’s the Difference Between Curtain and Drapes?
When it comes to window treatments, there are so many options it can be a bit overwhelming to choose between them. Making it more confusing, people use the words “drapes” and “curtains” interchangeably. Each style of window treatment has its own unique characteristics and purposes.
Curtains
Curtains are fabric panels that are most often sold in pairs. You’ll find curtains in a wide range of widths, lengths, fabrics, colors, and patterns; they are very versatile and a popular choice for every room of the home, even bathrooms and kitchens (the short, sheer curtains that cover only the bottom half of a window over a kitchen sink, frequently matched to a valance across the window’s top, are called café curtains.) In the bedroom, you’ll likely use curtains over another window treatment, such as a blind or shade, because curtains are made of lightweight fabrics – some are very sheer — and are not lined. This means that while they do filter out some light, they won’t filter out all of it, and thus won’t keep your bedroom dark on those delightful weekend mornings when you want to sleep late.
Curtains hang from a rod, which can be hidden and plain, or decorative and on display, depending on how the curtains are hung. There are quite a few hanging options: metal grommets, metal or fabric rings, or a fabric sleeve on the top or the back of the curtain panels are the most common.
Drapes
Like curtains, drapes are fabric panels, and typically sold in pairs. But unlike curtains, drapes are lined, sometimes with fabric heavy enough to block out all outside light, making them perfect for bedroom use. Drapes (sometimes called draperies) are long enough to reach from the top of the window to the floor, sometimes even puddling a bit beneath the window. Heavy, somewhat stiff fabrics are the norm for drapes, including luxury materials like velvet, damask or silk.
While drapes come in a huge range of styles and colors, they are most often solid, rather than heavily patterned. The top of a drapery panel is often pleated, and there are several different styles of pleat available. These pleats, along with the heavy fabric, contribute to the formal appearance of this popular window treatment. Like curtains, drapes hang from a rod on rings, hooks, grommets or a fabric sleeve at the top or on the back of the panel.
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Due to the fact that drapes go all the way to the floor, are heavier in nature, and block out light from coming in, they are the perfect place for dust and allergens to live, and they are the perfect candidate for J & R’s Carpet Cleaning!
Don’t try to tackle this project on your own, contact J & R’s today to schedule an appointment to get your drapes cleaned!