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Last edited 31 May 2022

Curtains

Curtains are pieces of material, normally fabric fixed at the top (the head) and hanging down (to the foot) to form a screen. It is normal to refer to a pair of curtains, one on the left and one on the right or a single curtain. The finished or sewn edge of the curtain is normally called the hem. Curtains or a curtain are also used in theatres at the start and end of a performance, either moving away to the sides or lifting upwards.

It is thought that curtains, or more accurately drapery, was first used by the Egyptians in around 3100 B.C. These were made of animal hides and hung in doorways with hooks to provide privacy. The word curtain itself dates to around 1200, coming from the Latin, cortna, which meant an enclosed place, or from cohors, which meant courtyard.

Today curtains are found in the majority of homes, often for privacy, to reduce external light when needed, but also to some extent providing a thermal block to radiative external coolth through windows and as a layer to keep warmth in. In such cases curtains are normally of a thicker material or have two or more layers. The styles of curtains differ in the way they are hung, ie with a bracket and track system or on a pole or rail. The appearance of the folds at the top may be referred to as cleats. When a curtain is open the bunched up material on either side of the window opening is called the stack, this should be clear of the opening so as not to block the light penetrating the window opening.

Different hanging methods will impact how effective the curtain might be at retaining heat and restricting coolth or light. In some cases a decorative box will be fixed at the top of the curtain, this is called a pelmet and can also act to improve the thermal efficiency of the curtain or its ability to cut out light. A valance is similar to a pelmet but made of fabric.

Pairs and single curtains will often have tie-backs, which is either a bracket on the wall or a piece of decorative material to hold them back so as not to cover the window when open. A pull chord system can be used to enable curtains to be opened and closed by a chord without having to touch the curtains. Automatic pull chord systems are electric and will perform the same task either by remote control or switch.