Window decoration
Window decorations (also known as curtains or curtains ) are fabrics that are attached to windows from the inside.
Word origin
The word gordijne comes from Low German and Dutch , spread in the 15th and 16th centuries and originally referred to the bed curtain.
function
The window decoration is an interior design element and has a strong influence on the feeling of space. You can partially or completely cover the windows, which makes it difficult for unwanted views from the outside. On the inside, curtains drawn forward should also prevent the ingress of light, dust and noise. Very tightly woven curtains can also provide protection against drafts . Window decorations share many functions with sun protection systems .
Types of window decorations
There are many forms of window decorations. Length, color and choice of material are subject to changes in fashion. Curtains and curtain fabrics can be manufactured as finished goods in standard dimensions and sold in self-service shops or designed and manufactured individually for the customer by an interior decorator . Window decorations typically consist of semi-transparent blinds and decorative scarves . Often these are done with saddle pads that form an upper end and cover a lintel or roller shutter box . Modern forms of curtains are, for example, lamellar and panel curtains . There are also thread curtains, which consist of threads that fall smoothly downwards. A traditional form that has been pushed into the background at the moment is the technically demanding Roman curtain . Freehand decorations , which are usually only loosely draped over a pole, appear much more relaxed . Decorations that are attached to the window sash are called window curtains or window hangers. They are decorated on glass rods (also disc rod or pin rod) or clamping rods. One form of the disc curtain is the gathered country house curtain. Roller blinds and pleated systems are becoming more and more important . A blind is an arrangement of fixed or movable slats for privacy and sun protection, but also for weather protection, which nevertheless allows the space behind it to be illuminated or ventilated.
material
The range of decorative fabrics is almost unmanageable. Both synthetic fibers and classic natural fibers such as cotton , linen and silk are used . More than 80% of curtains are made from knitted fabrics. The usual width is 140 cm for decorative fabrics and 280 to 300 cm for transparent fabrics. The width of the goods can be processed to the height. Ie the chain runs vertically. One then speaks of an upset processing . If the width of the goods is insufficient, the goods can be processed upright. The weft thread then runs horizontally. Any number of panels can be sewn together in this way. That is why one speaks of sheet goods . Since the connection seams are particularly noticeable in the case of transparent or semi-transparent fabrics, the trend is towards goods that can be processed in a turned-up fashion. Also known are woven , lace-up , knotted, embroidered or flocked curtain fabrics. Examples are bobbinet , tulle , voile and muslin .
Flame-retardant fabrics are becoming more and more important, since normally flammable curtains have a very high fire potential. An important building standard here is the building material class DIN 4102 ("Fire behavior of building materials and components"). A distinction is made here between finished fabrics, which were given the property of flame retardancy only afterwards, and fabrics made from flame retardant fibers (such as Trevira CS )
Types of attachment
The simplest method is to attach it to a curtain rod. To do this, a curtain tape is sewn onto the cut curtain. Hooks are looped into this, which are attached to rings that now run over the bar. Curtain rods can be made of metal, wood or plastic and decorated in a variety of ways. Occasionally the curtain rod is replaced by a taut, thin steel cable. Alternatively, loops made from the material of the curtain are also used. With these loop curtains, the loops, which are usually a few centimeters wide and sewn onto the upper edge of the curtain, lie directly on the curtain rod. So that the loops run more easily on the curtain rod, they can be placed over sliding sleeves. Another variant is punching metal eyelets into the fabric. These additives are particularly recommended when it comes to curtains that are not only attached for decoration, but are actually often opened and closed as sun or privacy protection: Simple loops can be rubbed through over time.
Another type of suspension is the attachment of the curtain fabric to curtain rails or strips (in Austria Carnise , Carnise or Carnic , spoken garnish ). Curtain rails are inner rails with a T-shaped or C-shaped profile and are made of metal, wood or plastic. You have one or more runs in which rollers or gliders run, to which the window decoration is attached. Unlike curtain rods, curtain rails can be attached directly under the ceiling and C-shaped rails can even be plastered into the ceiling. Roundings for corner and bay windows are possible depending on the variant. A curve is called a spin-through corner. A 90 ° bend that runs towards the wall is called a return.
Newer hanging systems also allow loop curtains to be hung directly under the ceiling. This is done with so-called loop gliders. These articles, which are usually made of plastic, consist of a thin, straight rod with a sliding block or a pair of rollers at each end. The loop sewn onto the upper edge of the curtain can be placed over the rod. The sliding block or the pair of rollers is in the curtain rail, the loop hangs directly under the curtain rail.
Another suspension system works according to this principle, in which the curtain can be attached to a panel slide with the help of Velcro . Decorations that do not have vertical folds (panel curtains, pleated blinds, valances) are usually best suited for this. The panel slide is slightly larger than a loop slider and is also hung in a curtain rail with rollers or sliding blocks. The panel slide system and the loop slider system enable easy handling when taking up and taking off as well as quick redesign.
To pinch the curtain will draw rods used. These are attached to the first curtain ring or to a stronger or double-sided first glider. This operating mode is particularly useful for high-quality, sensitive fabrics, as the fabric does not have to be touched. They are also recommended for high rooms and therefore very long curtains, as otherwise the curtain will necessarily have to be touched and drawn very far down, which requires more strength and thus greater stress on the fabric with stiff gliders.
A modification of this are the cord pull rails. On their side there is an endless cord that moves a train carriage. Electric pull rails work in a similar way. In sloping ceilings, this is often the only rail solution, as the curtains are held by the towing vehicle and cannot slide down.
Wrinkling
To form folds, the curtain tapes are puckered by pulling out the woven-in drawstring. The fold or crimped tape has predetermined fold crowns at regular intervals. Smocked tapes and pencil pleated tapes form small, slim folds. In contrast, with the Flemish Fold , the folds are sewn on and can therefore no longer slip later. The position of each fold as well as the amount of fabric can be freely selected. So that the window decoration has a neat finish to the rail or the curtain rod, a small hem , the so-called head, is usually sewn on over the curtain tape.
When hanging on loops or eyelets, the folds appear automatically.
Lower edges
The lower edge of window decorations is often hemmed . This hem is often referred to as the bottom hem to distinguish it from the side hem. A lead band can be inserted into the hem to weigh it down. However, this can also simply be chained . So that panel curtains and Roman blinds hang straight and flat, they are equipped with a straight weight bar in the bottom hem. Classic decorations sometimes have a valance or a border made of ribbons. Satin ribbons are very often used to set a color accent.
Idioms
- “Sermon on the curtain”: Preaching , originally the sermon that the husband receives from the wife behind the curtain.
- " Sitting behind Swedish curtains ": Sitting in prison. Sweden was considered the center of the steel industry .
See also
literature
- Gina Moore: Designing windows. 500 ideas for curtains, drapes, blinds, fabrics and more. Moewig, Hamburg 2008, ISBN 978-3-86803-254-3 .
Web links
- Types of curtains with extensive artwork
- Curtain fabrics In: Wohn-Lexikon (curtain fabrics)
- Other types of curtains with explanations and pictures
- History of curtains and drapes from ancient Egypt to modern times
- Curtains and furnishings
Individual evidence
- ↑ types of curtains
- ↑ Other types of curtains ( Memento of the original from October 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
