Considering New Curtains? Read this Before Your Next Purchase

By Anita Winter

For most people, decorating a home is a great past time. Adding curtains or drapes are one way to enhance the functionality and beauty of your living space. Fabric draped on entry ways, windows and used to mask or conceal is nothing new. What's really changed are the quality and style of drapes available today. Now, fabric choices are endless but what it really boils down to is what you need and want.

There are actually three types of curtains to consider:

Sheer Curtains

Sheer curtains are translucent and easy to see through. Sheer fabric is more like a screen or netting that shields you from dust and other pollutants. Usually made of a loosely woven cotton or polyester, these provide semi protection from the sun but are actually a privacy screen that gives some separation and ambiance to your living quarters. Sheer drapes are great for sun rooms, cabanas and gazebos.

Uncoated Fabric Curtains

Uncoated fabric curtains are opaque fabrics that block a good amount of light and heat. These are usually made out of a cotton-poly blend material. Silk and taffeta are also good examples of fabrics that let in a little light during the day but are very concealing at night. These are really ideal for indoor use, and are typically used as window treatments in living and dining areas.

Coated Fabric Curtains

Coated fabric curtains are made specifically for people who want sunlight blocked as well as better insulation in the cold and hot months. These have rubber backings added to a standard uncoated fabric. This coating is fused onto the fabric by a heated roller and is considered a 1 pass coated fabric because of its ability to absorb 50 to 70 percent of light. A "blackout" curtain requires no more than 3 pass coatings to make it sufficient at cutting back 100% of light in a room. These are perfect for bedrooms and studies. Don't forget, you can potentially save a considerable amount of money on your heating and cooling bill.

The following are things to consider when shopping for curtains or drapes.

• Clean ability
• UV light Deterrent
• Oil retention
• Dust retention
• Noise absorption
• Fire resistance
• Life span

No matter your style, chosen fabric, budget and unique needs, there are a multitude of curtains choices on the market today.