Draperies vs. Curtains, Which is Which?
Draperies are not curtains and curtains are not draperies, though a lot of people use the terms interchangeably.
Draperies are generally made of thicker, more durable materials than curtains. They also normally consist of more than one layer of material and are often thermal backed.
Thermal backed draperies protect your indoor furniture fabrics and wood from fading in sunlight. Fading can occur in direct or filtered sunlight. Thermal backed draperies block out the sunlight and harmful UV rays.
Thermal backed draperies also assist with cutting down utility payments to cool or heat your home because they help to keep the air outside from intermixing with the air inside.
Draperies are also generally more expensive than curtains because of the extra or special materials they are made of. But when considered with the energy cost savings return on your investment, they are well worth it.
Draperies are normally full length, meaning they extend from the top of the window all the way to the floor. They can be shorter however.
Some draperies are made of a single layer of material. This type of drapery is not considered a black-out drapery because it does not contain the additional layer of thermal fabric.
Windows play a huge role in the design of your home. As do the draperies that can grace your windows.