Curtains Canberra

Before you pick up a tape measure, it is best if you firstly have a detailed look of the window that you are wanting to put a curtain on. You will need to think about where you want to fit the curtain (eg: to the architrave, above the window, to the ceiling). Once you have identified your preference you will need to look again at the window to ensure there are no barriers to fitting the curtain in the place you have chosen. Things like air conditioners (yes, some people are unaware that this could be an issue!), audio speakers, paintings/photos and anything else that encroaches on the area in which you want to have your curtain installed. Many people who want to have their curtains installed to their ceiling often have cornices and they are not aware of the implications of this.

You would also need to consider how wide you would like to make the curtain. When the Curtain & Track are wider than the window, you will have more light & view, with less of your curtain ‘stack’ blocking the window when the curtain is open.

Finally, when measuring the drop of your curtain, allowances will need to be made for any clearance required at the bottom of the curtain, the type of pleats & hooks you are using and where you want to have the top of your curtain in relation to your track.

Unless you are having regular food fights at your place, dust is the main issue with maintaining clean curtains. One of the most unappreciated benefits of a pelmet is that a lot of the dust generated ends on the the top of your pelmet, as opposed to in your curtain fabric. Either way, the issue is best dealt with by vacuuming your curtains (and tops of pelmets) using the small brush fitting, so your fabric does not get sucked into the machine. To further freshen up your curtains they can be hung on your clothesline outside on a fine and preferably windy day.

If you do happen to get a stain on your curtain, try using a stain remover. It is important that you test the stain remover on an inconspicuous spot on the curtain (the back of the bottom or side hem, for example). You want to make sure the cleaning agent does not bleach the colour from your curtain fabric, before you use it on the front of your curtain.

That depends. It’s all about what type of fabric and or lining you are using, the way in which the curtain is made and also about how and where your curtains are installed.
Curtains can be made with 1,2 or even 3 layers. The most important thing is that at least 1 of those layers is a blockout fabric.

The 3 most popular options are:
1) Select an uncoated curtain fabric & have a separate blockout lining attached to the curtain fabric. This allows a softer looking drape, and the lining provides excellent insulation with no light passing through the lining. Having 2 separate layers also assists with insulation.
2) Select a blockout coated fabric which does not require a separate lining. This type of fabric is a bit stiffer than uncoated fabric and so does not usually drape as softly. It will have similar insulation qualities as option 1.
3) If you are really getting serious about insulation you can have option 1 above and add a third layer. This layer is usually bumph and it is placed between the curtain fabric and the blockout lining.

Fitting your curtains to the ceiling, close to the ceiling, or inside a pelmet will greatly improve the insulation performance of your curtains. Regency Knights also offers the Evo Curtain system that has an inbuilt pelmate and a flatter, more modern looking curtain.
Ensuring that your curtain supplier has included allowances for returns on your curtains so that the gap between the curtain and the wall at the ends of your tracks are covered, will also add to the thermal efficiency of your curtains.

Yes, curtains will help maintain your room temperature. See above for best results.

Again, it depends. If you want maximum insulation, then generally they are (subject to above). However, a curtain installed badly, with poor fabric choices and no pelmet, would probably be a worse option for insulation than a well fitted blind that has good quality fabric and is fitted inside a pelmet.

Assuming you have digested all the above, the only thing I can add is that most people want to minimise the amount of light coming into the room. What is a satisfactory level of darkness varies a lot from person to person. Getting a good quality fabric, lining, fitting and pelmet will give you the best result. It is rare that any type of window furnishing will absolutely block every bit of light, however, we have found that by having clear discussions with our customers and making sure that we have managed their expectations well, they are very pleased with the end result.

They can be, however, we strongly recommend against washing or dry cleaning curtains. See point 3 above.