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Thermal
drapes may serve a necessary purpose in keep rooms cooler
in the summer and warmer in the winter. This is especially
true in older homes where windows may not be as well insulated.
However, thermal draperies and thermal curtains need not
be unattractive. Thermal drapes in fact today come with
several options on designer looks.
Why Use Thermal Draperies
Just
what makes thermal
curtains so functional? It is all
in the lining. This type of drapes
is lined with
a special fabric lining that helps
insulate a window
so the room temperature remains more consistent without
having to constantly adjust the heat or air conditioning.
These types of linings can actually come in several
types of finishes giving them a different appearance.
Some are more rubbery feeling and have an industrial
feel. However, the types of thermal linings for home
use are much softer and more attractive even from the
outside.
It’s
not just the thickness of the lining that makes thermal
drapes do their job of insulating. It is also in the
fact that the curtains or drapes are lined. The layering
effect works for windows, just as it does for winter
clothing. It is well known that several light layers
keep you warmer than one thick sweater. With thermal
drapes, energy costs can be reduced significantly.
Choosing Accessories and Fabrics
When thermal drapes or thermal curtains are drawn they
function quite well in insulating the window. However,
they will be pulled back to let in the day light on occasion
so accessories can make a big difference in keeping their
appearance attractive. Decorative tie
backs or curtain hardware can really dress up a functional drape. The
curtain pole can also go far in creating a designer look
that coordinates with the rest of the room.
The top layer of fabric in thermal drapes is the decorative
one while the under layer is the functional one. This
top layer can be made of virtually any medium to heavy
weight fabric. This will add to the thermal action but
also the appearance. Thermal curtains made with a light
weight fabric that is too sheer, will not really hide
the functional undercoat well enough. That is really
the only limitation in fabric choices for thermal drapes.
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