Curtain and drape are two very similar furniture types that have some key differences between them. Understanding the differences between curtain and drape can help you make the right choice for your home.
A curtain is a decorative wall covering which is hung from floor-level to ceiling. Drapes are a heavier type of curtain which are usually made from a thicker fabric. Drapes are therefore often used to make rooms dark.
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Curtain and drapes both serve the same purpose—they can help define a space and add privacy to your home. However, they each have their own unique features and benefits, which can change how they’re used in different spaces. Let’s explore this further.
What’s the difference between a curtain and a drape?
Curtain and drape are both types of window coverings. While they both serve the same purpose, there are some key differences between them:
Curtain: A decorative wall covering which is hung from floor level to ceiling.
Drape: A heavier type of curtain which is usually made from a thicker fabric. Drapes are therefore often used to make rooms dark. A drape is often heavier, more durable, and has larger panels than a curtain. For this reason, they need more support and more expensive.
Curtain parts
Curtain have typically 2 parts—curtain panels and curtain fabrics.
Curtain Panel: A curtain panel is the core of your curtain and provides the structure for the curtain. It usually comes in three sizes-small, medium, and large—and can be paired with a variety of curtain fabrics.
Curtain Fabric: A curtain fabric is the outer layer of your curtain and can be used to create a variety of looks for your space. Often rings are used to slide the fabric over a stick. This allows you to hang the curtain in the right place without too much effort. It is essential that curtains are properly installed. If they sag, it can give a terrible look and make the curtain last less long.
Curtain Wall Hugger is a special type of curtains. A curtain wall hugger is a type of curtain that is designed to hang from the top of a wall to the floor. The curtain wall hugger’s large size allows it to fully cover a window, while its light-catching pattern allows it to serve as a curtain.
Drapes parts
Like curtain types, drape have two parts—drape fabrics and drape panels.
Drape Fabric: A drape fabric is the outer layer of your drape and can be used to create a variety of looks for your space.
Drape Panel: A drape panel is the core of your drape and provides the structure for the curtain. It usually comes in three sizes—small, medium, and large—and can be paired with a variety of curtain fabrics. Drapes can be quite heavy so it is essential that you get a panel and rings that are able to support this. Your wall has to be strong enough to support this. People often underestimate how heavy drapes can be.
Curtain benefits
The main benefit of using a curtain is that it helps to define spaces and can help to hide items. We have a lot of curtains in our home. From a shower curtain to a curtain under the sink.
Another benefit of curtains is that they are cheaper and easier to install.
Drapes benefits
The drape is often heavier, more durable, and has larger panels than a curtain. These differences can have an impact on the types of drapes you choose for your home. Drapes can help with making your home more energy-efficient as they can help to keep the heat out. Your AC has to work less and this can result in big savings. This will become more important in the coming years as houses get energy scores that can affect their value. Adding drapes that open and close with the sun can be an easy way to improve the score of your home.
They are generally used less often as they are more expensive but they can add a lot of value to the bedroom as they keep it dark the whole night.
Which type of window covering is right for you?
Ultimately, it’s worth noting that while curtain and drape are similar in many ways, they are also different. Which one you choose will depend on the look you’re trying to create for your space. Based on your budget and your needs, you can chose between curtains and drapes.
A lot of people don’t know the difference between the two and this can lead to frustration. They overspend on drapes or their room is not dark enough because they picked curtains. These are often custom made so it is difficult to return them. For this reason, it is essential that you pick the right type of fabric when you order them. Curtains and drapes are expensive so they should last a long time. It is essential that you pick the right one when you order. Once the order has been finished, it is not possible to change things.
There are a lot of other ways to cover windows as well. For example, blinds are quite popular. These offer more flexibility as you can open each part of this separately. It is also quite easy to automate them with a remote. They are often used in offices. Each of these methods has its unique advantages and disadvantage. A lot of people enjoy sticking with curtains and drapes as they last a long time and are easy to use. You can even wash them!
To conclude, we can state that we discussed the differences between drapes and curtains in this post. While they are often used interchangeably, there are markable differences between the two. This ranges from price to their function. Drapes are more expensive but can block more light. They are also harder to install and need more support. Curtains are lighter and cheaper but are less able to keep a room dark.
