4 Differences Between Curtains and Drapes

March 9, 2017

If you use the words “curtains” and “drapes” interchangeably, you’re not alone. In fact, here at Half Price Drapes we do it all the time. However, no matter how common it is for the words to give off the same meaning, the truth is that they’re not identical. Read on to learn about the differences between the two and then reach out to us for more information.

Draperies are lined curtain panels

The easiest way to think of draperies is to think about them as curtains that have lining in them. Draperies should typically be hung in pairs, though this will vary based on the size and type of window you have. In most cases, draperies are much heavier than curtains, and they can also have thermal linings or blackout linings to help darken rooms. Draperies are excellent for helping to reduce heating and cooling bills too.

Curtains also come in panels

Curtains and sheers generally come in panels too, but they’re made from much lighter fabrics. Since they are lighter and thinner, they are not going to filter out all of the light, and they won’t completely darken a room. In many cases, curtains and drapes are hung together. The homeowner can then pull back the drapes to allow some light in, but still have the privacy that curtains allow.

Then there are blinds

Now that you have a good handle on the difference between draperies and curtains, let’s move on to blinds. They are custom made to exactly fit the size of the window they’re installed in, and they hang inside the window frame. They don’t come down below the window sill at all. They can be made from a wide range of materials, including, metal, vinyl, wood, and other non-woven fabrics. They’re somewhat like shades, except for what they’re made of. Blinds come in vertical louver and horizontal louver.

The final option is shades

When you’re shopping for curtains and draperies, you’ll find options for shades too. They’re actually very similar to blinds except that they’re made from fabric. They can open by rolling around a rod, gathering together into pleats, or they can tie up. Half Price Drapes offers several cordless shade options, including cellular shades and Roman shades. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help measuring your windows for these or other window treatments.

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