The curtains tone the light that enters from the outside, hide the views when they are not attractive, and help us to preserve privacy in our homes. But, do we know which one is the most appropriate to dress a certain room? Sheers, curtains, blinds, Japanese panels ... Which one to choose? Choose your curtains according to the type of window.
The size and especially the window opening system will be key to choosing the most suitable type of curtain. They will also influence, of course, the size of the room and the way we have it furnished. Have you ever stopped to think about it? If not, today we share with you some keys to get it right.
What type of windows do you want to dress? According to opening system These can be oscillating, tilting, folding, pivoting, sliding, folding ... There are many types, however, when choosing curtains we could classify them into three large groups as you will see below.
Swing or tilting windows
Both the casement windows and the tilting windows rotate around a horizontal axis. In casement windows this axis is located in the upper or lower part of the window, while in tilting windows you can find it in the middle of the window surface. Thus these windows open in their upper half and / or in their lower half inwards or outwards.
This type of windows is a good alternative in spaces of limited dimensions. Among its advantages we also find the possibility of ventilating without having to open it completely and a greater protection than other types of windows against the wind. However, when it is opened at the top inward make it difficult to install curtains with vertical opening. The curtains and sheers as well as the Japanese panels will be, therefore, the best options to dress these windows.
- Sheers and curtains. Sheers and curtains are gathered horizontally, towards one or both sides of the window, so they do not pose any obstacle. When you want to ventilate you will only have to draw the curtains first and open the window later.
- Japanese panels. With a linear and minimalist aesthetic, the Japanese panels are composed of several panels that move horizontally through rails, overlapping each other to provide different levels of intimacy and / or light entry. Like curtains and sheers, its opening is horizontal, towards the sides, although its aesthetics and functionality They are different.
Do you want to be able to ventilate without having to open the curtains? Then you will have to place the bar or rail system at such a distance from the wall that you can open the window, losing more useful space when the curtains are closed. Both curtains and Japanese panels are good options, but very different aesthetically and practically. Which one do you choose?
Casement windows
Casement windows are characterized by having hinges on one side of the frame, which allow a horizontal opening up to 180 °. They can be opened completely, then the ventilation with this type of windows is maximum. It is also one of the types of windows with better sealing properties thanks to the pressure exerted by its leaves against the frame.
The vertical axis on which these windows fold down makes it possible to place both horizontal and vertical opening curtains on these. You can use both curtains and blinds or Venetians to dress these windows, with certain exceptions.
- Curtains and curtains. The curtains with both rail and rod system with a great option. Better long or at least longer than the window itself. Another option is the curtain holders that fixed on the window itself can make them one with the window. Those with an extensible design are also easy to adapt to any window.
- Blinds The blinds, unlike the curtains, are rolled or folded vertically. As this is the case, you can open the windows wide, but keep the blind unfolded. In this way you can ventilate without the sun's rays hitting the house directly or the outside light bothering you.
- Venetian. Composed of small slats made of wood, aluminum or PVC, Venetian blinds work in a similar way to a blind. They are collected vertically, generally by pulling a string. They are very popular in hot places, since with their simple mechanism the passage of light to a certain room can be fully regulated while maintaining air circulation.
Sliding windows
Sliding windows are those whose leaves are move horizontally on a rail inserted into the frame. They are an ideal alternative in small spaces or spaces limited by furniture or corners, although they offer a lower level of insulation than the previous ones.
As for choosing curtains according to the type of window, with the sliders your possibilities are expanded. You can dress them with all kinds of curtains: Sheers, Japanese panels, blinds, Venetians…. using different systems: bars, rails ... Since in no case will they interfere with the normal use of the window.
Would you now know how to choose your curtains according to the type of window?