If you are looking to redecorate your home or create a different type of mood for a room, window treatments are a great place to start.
However, there are many different types of drapery fabrics, and it can be a bit of a maze to navigate the pros and cons of all of them. Depending on what you are hoping to achieve with the switch will determine which type of material will work best for you.
Here are some of the most popular drapery materials and how they will work in your home.
Cotton is easily the most common fabric used for drapery for a variety of reasons.
First, it is extremely durable. This is a fabric that will hold up with kids and dogs, and can be thrown right in the washing machine when disaster strikes.
Next, many cotton options come with a lining that help to insulate. They work to keep out both light and temperature. This means that by shutting the drapes in the summer, your room will be cooler, and vice versa in the winter.
Cotton drapes also offer a wide selection of style. You can find cotton drapes in patterns, color solid, various textures, and any length you need. Finally, drapes made of cotton are easy on the wallet. You get a quality product for a relatively low price.
Acrylic is a synthetic material that comes in a close second to cotton. It is inexpensive, available in a variety of styles, and easy to clean.
However, it is less durable and long-lasting than cotton.
If you are going for something a bit more luxurious, look into silk draperies.
Silk is more often used when you want to change the look of the room, but aren’t really concerned about the benefits the fabric itself will provide. Silk does not insulate a room or keep light out.
It is also known for being a very delicate fabric. It will easily tear or run if a child tugs on it or a pet’s nails get stuck in it.
Silk is also far more expensive than other options. Opt for this choice when you are looking to add some glamour in a room that does not experience heavy traffic.
Like silk, wool is more expensive than other drapery options.
However, it does provide many advantages that other materials do not. In cold weather regions, wool is ideal for its insulating properties. It keeps warmth in while keeping the cold air out, and can actually make enough of a difference that you will see in your heating bills in the winter.
It is also a durable material. Wool won’t fade in color with age or from the sun, it is difficult to tear, and does not show dirt as clearly as some other fabrics. This is important, especially for wool, which cannot be tossed in the washing machine as it shrinks when in water.
Take the time to consider what you are looking for in drapery materials. Knowing what benefits you need and what aesthetic characteristics are important to you will go a long way in narrowing down a potentially overwhelming decision.