How to Choose Between Different Drapery Curtain Styles: Rod Pocket, Grommet, and More

 While the terms Drapery Curtains and curtains are often used interchangeably, they’re two distinct products that offer different looks and functionality. This confusion leads to some misguided purchasing decisions, and it also prevents people from seeing the window treatment style that’s the perfect fit for their space.

 Fabric panels that hang from a rod

Both drapes and curtains are fabric panels that hang from a rod. They’re available in a wide choice of fabrics, colors, plains and patterns, making them ideal for creating the desired look and feel of a room. They can be made in a wide variety of lengths, too—from 63 to 144 inches long—and can be custom-made to the exact width and length required for a specific window.

Wide variety of styles

Drapery and curtain panels come in a wide variety of styles, from sheers that allow light to pass through to heavily patterned fabrics that create a more formal look. Both drapes and curtains can be lined, which increases privacy, blocks UV rays and provides a more finished, elegant look. Drapes are typically lined with heavier fabrics, such as velvet or damask, while curtains can be lined with anything from cotton to blackout.

 Drapes and curtains is primarily

The difference between drapes and curtains is primarily in their appearance, with drapes being a more formal, luxurious look and feel and curtains having a lighter, more relaxed style. Additionally, drapes can be fashioned into more elaborate designs such as puddles or valances, which add more visual interest to a room and are a great way to add dramatic impact.

More fabric and are usually longer

In general, drapes are often more expensive than curtains because they require more fabric and are usually longer, which creates a more sumptuous look. They’re often made of heavier fabrics as well, such as velvet and silk, which add to the price tag. They’re also usually lined to block light, darken a room and increase insulation.

 Hidden, box and wave pleats

Curtains are typically less expensive because they don’t require as much fabric or as much labor to construct. They can be crafted in a variety of pleat styles, including pinch, hidden, box and wave pleats, to add fullness and appeal to the panel. They’re also available with a number of header types, which impact how the curtain stacks when it’s open as well as how the panel falls.

Conclusion

Like Drapery Curtains can be hemmed and have a double bottom hem and top header, but they typically do not include lead drapery weights sewn in at the seams and corners like draperies do. They can be hemmed to the exact size needed for a specific window, or they can be ordered with a pre-hemmed length that ranges from 63 to 144 inches and may require additional hemming to achieve the desired length. Both curtains and drapes are available in a wide variety of header styles, including rod pockets, tie tops, tab tops and grommet designs with eyelets that slide onto the rod. These choices impact how the curtain is installed, whether it’s hung on a traverse rod or stationary side panels that are hung on the opposite side of the window.