Window Treatments

Window Treatments

These are used control the degree to which windows performs their various functions.

Types of window treatments
STIFF
Blinds: Made of a series of evenly spaced slats (strips) that can be opened or closed by cords.
They allow privacy or let in as much lights as needed but tedious to clean.

Horizontal blinds have horizontal slats (windows). 

Vertical blinds have vertical slats (patio doors).

   Types of blinds
Roller blinds-made up of thick fabrics used in conjunction with rollers when drawn up they let plenty of light come in & give complete privacy when unrolled.

Roman blinds-these are made of fabric attached to chords are pulled; the blinds rises up in the form of pleats to form a pelmet .they are heavier and warmer than roller blinds.

Venetian blinds-originated in china are made of parallel slats of wood metal or plastic fitted horizontally or vertically. Low priced available in different colours. The main disadvantage difficult to clean and maintained.

Vertical Louvre blinds- effective for a large floor to ceiling window the slats are wider than the venetian blinds but less opaque .they can be made up of synthetic fabric canvas ,silk or thin wooden slats.

Pinoleum blinds- inexpensive covering of large window made up of very fine strips of wood held together by cotton .Let a pleasant soft light filter through them can be moved up and down with the help of chords.

Balastore blinds – inexpensive blinds made up of strong fibre perforated with pleats to let light enter without glass

Pleatex blinds- made up of stronger paper than with small pleats .the paper gives privacy but let sunlight enter, tinted as per the colour of the paper (orange, green, blue and beige).

Austrian blinds –made up of fabric when fully raised they form a decorative pelmet .they are used in banquet halls.

Festoon blinds- they are made up of fabric similar to Austrian blinds and add to the decorative aspect of a room.

SHADES
Can be very plain or complex.
Can fit regular windows as well as oval or arched windows
Can also fit skylights or celestial windows.
Are of two types –fabric roller and woven wood shades.

Fabric roller shades
Mounted on top of windows made of cloth or vinyl can have fabric on them for decorative effect.
Can be light filtering, room darkening or heat resistant.
Are inexpensive and can be flexibly adjusted.

Bamboo and woven wood shades
Considered rustic and informal. Slatted shades let through some light and air and allow partial visibility outwards only during day time this one way vision is reversed at night when indoor lights are on.

SHUTTERS
Originally designed to keep out heat and cold work well with traditional decor.
Can cover part or all of the windows usually made of wood are hinged together like a folding door.
Are movable wooden slats fixed on a wooden framework.
Their initial cost is high but they last longer.

SCREENS
Are in the form of hardboard panels with cut out panels of fabrics stretched across the wooden frames.
They are attached immovably to the window frame around the edges.

“Shoji” screens are traditional Japanese screens originally made up of rice paper mounted on a wooden frame coated with black lacquer, but are now available in translucent plastic materials.

SOFT TREATMENTS

CURTAINS
Flat fabric panels constructed of unlined fabrics or lace may be sheer to medium height
Has wide variety of colours ,patterns and textured
May stay closed or opened.

Glass/sheer/net curtains- these types allows that the most light through  the fabric ,which also means it offers the least privacy .these are paired with opaque drapes for a formal look as well as additional privacy.

Drapes/over curtains – these are loosely hung soft furnish the headings are mainly decorative and pleaded and provide most of the function of a window.

Sash curtains – these are used to cover the lower sash of a window, usually in bathroom, kitchen and pantry. They should be made long enough to clear the window casing rather than to hang below them.

Draw curtains- the curtains are drawn towards both the sides so as to uncover the view / light and make a theatrical effect

Casement curtains – these are ornamental than practical .these curtains work well with window that are not used regularly the top of this curtain is stitched in the shape of a pocket through which a rod or pole is threaded and are held in place with tie.

Tie –back curtains – it’s a decorative window treatment which accompanies a cloth curtain. It’s a place of cloth or rope or braid used to secure a curtain to one side of a window.

Criss cross curtains- these curtains overlap each other at the top along the entire width of the window and then criss cross each other. They generally make a window seem wider.

French café curtain- these only cover the lower part of the window with the casing slipped over a tension rod mounted in the window frame. They provide privacy and light.

Cottage curtain- these are a combination of café curtain and tie back curtain and is set of upper and lower straight hanging window curtain.

Tier curtain- these curtains are tailored a ruffled window that is hung in the middle of the window to the window sill
Roll up curtain-these are made of sturdy fabric and lined with a contrasting fabric. The shade can be rolled can be rolled or unrolled to the desired position and held in place by means of sack.

Draperies- Usually lined with another fabric
It adds body, increase insulation, helps drapes hang better, blocks sunlight and help to avoid fading of drapery fabric.
Usually more formal and will tend to the floor.

DECORATIVE TOP TREATMENT
Used for decorative purpose and to hide drapery/curtain hardware

Valence – short length of fabric placed across the top of the window and can be used alone or with other treatment .These is made up of fabric that can be pleated, scalloped or ruffled.
 




Swag – it is the piece of fabric that is draped gracefully across the top of a window draped gracefully across the top of a window attached to both sides of windows frame at top and usually ends in elaborate trails and show off luxuriously usually over a curtain pole.