Curtain Fabrics

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All you want to know about the Curtain Fabrics
Stepping into a house without the drapes always feels odd. Bare doors and windows are surely no fun. Even to the eyes that cannot appreciate interior decoration, the house without curtains looks empty, insecure, and exposed. The drapes add that warm and cozy feel to the house; protecting the personal space from the eyes of the outsiders. It clearly dresses up the room.
It’s not mandatory to have jazzy or colorful curtains adorn your house. Light sober colors also add elegance to the room and speak volumes about the personality of the inhabitants. Though you can choose the color of the curtain as per your personal liking, the choice of curtain fabric requires a deeper understanding.
The lighter fabrics cannot block light and might not be suitable for the bedrooms as they cannot block the outside light and noise. However, you might consider using lighter fabrics in the rooms you want sunlight to enter and give an airy feel.

Cotton is a light weight soft fabric which is quite commonly used for curtains in various households due to its affordability. It can be machine washed but does wrinkle easily and may shrink. Cotton is breathable and hence lets the air circulate. Therefore, it needs to be ironed after washing. As Cotton curtains have become quite a rage to give ethnic look the houses. Cotton can be dyed using both synthetic and natural dyes. Some people prefer natural dyes as the curtains then are more environmental friendly.

Linen is another natural fabric produced from the stalk of flax plant. It is much lighter than cotton in weight. While cotton may show signs of wear and tear after 3 to 5 years of use, linen usually becomes softer and glossier with proper wash and care. As it is more durable, it is more expensive also. It has high moisture absorbency, breathable, retains shape and is environment friendly. It protects against UV radiation and provides thermal insulation also. Due to all these reasons, it is highly recommended to use linen for curtains.

Polyester is a man-made fabric, light weight and strong at the same time, making it ideal for the curtains. It does not wrinkle, retains its shape. As it is synthetic, it is cheaper than natural fabrics. It can be machine washed and dries quickly. However, polyester does not let the air pass through it and hence blocks the fresh outside air. It is also inflammable as it is a polymer; thereby making it unfit for kitchens.

Silk is obtained from silkworms through the process of sericulture. It is the strongest of the natural fabrics and is also most expensive. Silk has a paradoxical ability to be warm in winters and cool in summers. It absorbs the moisture well and dries quickly. It takes the color well; however, it may fade with time if exposed to direct sunlight. It provides unique elegant and rich feel to the window. However, it is expensive to clean and care for silk.

Cotton Linen: As the name suggests, it is blend of cotton and linen. By blending the two fabrics, the property of fabric is enhanced. Cotton linen is stronger and more durable than pure cotton; however it is cheaper than pure linen. It is also a light weight fabric and gives an airy feel to the room.

Polyester cotton or Polycotton is a blend of cotton and polyester and is highly durable. Polycotton is more breathable than polyester and is comparatively wrinkle resistant as compared to cotton. It is cheaper than cotton and preferred when you need to put decent drapes in budget.

Spun Polyester or Polyspun is a manmade fabric created by spinning polyster fibres into yarns. It hangs well and shapes well due to its weight. It feels soft like cotton and also breathes like cotton; thereby letting the air circulate properly. Polyspun lasts longer than polycotton, does not wrinkle or shrink, and does not stain or fade.  

Viscose also known as rayon; made from wood pulp cellulose. It is synthetically created alternative to silk. It therefore gives a luxurious, silky, and soft look at a cheaper price than silk; and hangs well also. It can respire like cotton. However, it is wrinkle and shrink prone. When wet it lacks strength and therefore should not be machine washed.

Polyviscose is a blended fabric made using polyester and viscose. As viscose lacks strength when wet, it’s wet strength increases by blending it with polyester. Polyviscose fabric is durable like polyester and soft and silky like viscose.
Cotton Viscose: When Viscose is blended with cotton, it is called Cotton Viscose. Viscose blended with cotton has improved luster and softness. It also breathes better and becomes more durable. Cotton viscose blend is perfect for bright colored cost efficient curtains.

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