Curtain Pricing Guide
Have you
ever wondered why one curtain fabric is more expensive than the other even when
they are made up of the same material? Often we assume that the brand value causes
the price differentiation. But the truth is that all 100% cotton fabrics are
not created equally. The price of the fabric is dependent on the quality of the
fabric. In turn, the quality of the curtain fabrics is determined by the
following:
Material
used: Some of the most commonly used fabrics for curtains are silk,
linen, cotton, viscose, and polyester. Silk is the most expensive fabric
followed by linen, cotton, viscose, and polyester. The price also varies
depending on the percentages of blend used.
For
example: 70% Linen and 30% cotton blend will be more expensive than 70% cotton
and 30% linen blend.
Weight of
the fabric is measured in GSM (grams per square meter) which depends on
the thickness of yarn used and the number of knots per square inch. Higher GSM
translates to better quality and therefore, higher price.
For example: 200 GSM 100% polyester is priced higher than 100
GSM 100% polyester because the thicker material blocks both sound and light
more effectively and lasts longer.
Type of
weave is the pattern in which fabric is manufactured. Some of the
common weave types are plain, twill, satin, basket, oxford and chambray, and jacquards
etc. Of these plain weave is the cheapest because it comprises a simple
crisscross pattern.
Jacquard is the most expensive because it is
complex; requires more time, skill, and expensive machinery. It is also more
durable and drapes the best among all types of weaves.
Finishing
of the woven fabric: It is possible that a linen curtain of 250 GSM
jacquard weave with intricate embroidery looks stiff and does not fall properly
if it is finished in a normal power loom. All fabrics apart from silk are stiff
and do not drape well naturally if the finishing is not proper. Therefore, a
mill made finish makes them softer and helps them fall and drape well. A mill
made finish improves the quality and increases the price of the same fabric.
Value additions like embroidery, addition of sequins or printing could increase the costs significantly.
o
The price of embroidery increases with the number
of stitch count and colors of thread used.
o
Similarly, sequins stitched on the designs also
make curtains more expensive. The more the number of sequins and better their
quality, more is the cost.
o
Screen printing is cost efficient to get vibrant
prints on the fabric. The price varies a little as the number of colors used
for printing increases.
o
Digital printing is far more expensive than screen
printing because it uses unlimited number of colors and has very good attention
to detail.
In
conclusion, a non-mill made 50 GSM screen printed plain weave polyester curtain
is quite cheap and should cost in the range of Rs 300 to Rs. 400. However, a
300 GSM digitally printed jacquard weave silk curtain will be much more
expensive. A 200 GSM jacquard weave polyester or poly-viscose fabric will cost
more than 50 GSM screen printed plain weave polyester curtain but it will hang
well and look quite regal.
It is
always best to compare the GSM of the same fabric to see which curtain is
better. However, a lot of times it is not listed on the curtain sites which
makes the comparison difficult. Always try to ask the seller about GSM and type
of weave before you buy curtains. At Customfurnish.com we always list the GSM
so that you can easily compare the curtains. It is best to see and feel the
fabric before you order the curtains. With us, you can order up to 15 fabric
samples to get a feel of the fabric. We assure you that you will feel the
difference when you see our samples.
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