When it comes to choosing curtain lining, they don’t just provide functional benefits for your windows, they can also add fullness to your curtains to help them hang better.

Having an extra layer of protection means your curtains will last longer and help prevent colours from fading, whilst maintaining a clean crisp look, as the lining can protect the fabric from dust and direct sunlight. Depending on the type of lining, it can also provide different levels of insulation.

Standard linings – polycotton

Polycotton is a blend of cotton and polyester, this material is manufactured in a way which will bring out the best of both fibres. Cotton is a lot more resistant to heat compared to man-made fibres, these are good when it comes to durability as direct sunlight can damage fabric. Polycotton is a natural material which means that air can pass through it, so curtains which are made from 100% cotton are suited to more warmer weather, or kitchens, so the curtains don’t absorb cooking smells too.

Cotton is a go to material for a number of benefits, pure cotton can wrinkle easy and is also susceptible to shrinking after being washed. If untreated for flammability, then cotton can burn away easily, whilst polyester just melts.

Polyester is a synthetic fibre and is very durable; it’s resistant to mould and is great for retaining their colour and holding their shape meaning they don’t wrinkle easily. The downside of this is that polyester easily melts away.

When considering the benefits of both materials, polycotton is a strong material which is less prone to wrinkles and can also insulate well. This type of lining is great for any windows as it can meet most requirements.

Blackout and dim out lining

With an added layer of extra coating, blackout lining can block out the sunlight. It’s most commonly used in bedrooms, where you are disturbed by the sunshine peeking through your curtains. When comparing this to standard linings, blackout lining is made from thick material meaning they can help with thermal insulation and noise reduction.

Blackout and dim out curtains have different advantages. Dim outs usually allow for most of the light in the room to be blocked out, in comparison to complete blocked out blackout curtains.
Why choose blackout lining?

• Control over the light in the room
• Reduces the level of noise entering the room
• Privacy
• Absorb heat during the winter months
• Keep out the heat during the summer months
• Uninterrupted sleep
• Protects furniture and carpet from the fading effects of the sun

Thermal lining

Using thermal fabric when choosing curtain lining is another great way to save on your energy bills as warmth in retained inside a room during the colder weather. They can also block heat from coming in during the warmer weather. This style of lining is good when it comes to keeping you room at a cool and comfortable temperature throughout the different times of the year. Thermal linings are also blackout and noise cancelling.

Having poorly insulated or single glazed windows means that constant heating is usually required to maintain a warm temperature in the home as heat can easily escape through the gaps. Seals of good window frames can also degrade over time. Having extra layers of microfibre don’t just thicken, they also add volume to the curtains which creates a fuller look.

More information on Choosing Curtain Lining

Should you be unsure of what lining to choose, don’t worry, simply give our team a ring, they’ll be more than happy to help.