For anyone looking to elevate their window treatments, understanding the difference between curtain lining and interlining is essential. While they may sound similar, these two elements serve distinct purposes and can dramatically impact the appearance, functionality, and longevity of your curtains.
What Is Curtain Lining?
Curtain lining is a layer of fabric attached to the back of your curtains. This additional layer serves multiple practical functions:
- Light Control: Standard lining helps filter sunlight and provides a degree of room darkening.
- Privacy: Adds an extra layer to prevent silhouettes from being visible from outside.
- Protection: Shields the main curtain fabric from sun damage and fading.
- Improved Appearance: Creates a more substantial drape and enhances the way curtains hang.
- Insulation: Offers basic thermal properties to help maintain room temperature.
Lining comes in various types, including standard cotton lining, blackout lining, and thermal lining, each offering different performance benefits.
What Is Curtain Interlining?
Interlining is a third layer sandwiched between the main curtain fabric and the lining. Traditionally made from cotton flannel or bump (a thick, soft cotton), interlining provides enhanced benefits:
- Luxurious Fullness: Creates a sumptuous, plush appearance that makes curtains look more expensive.
- Superior Insulation: Significantly improves thermal efficiency, helping to keep rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
- Enhanced Light Blocking: Even without blackout lining, interlined curtains block more light.
- Acoustic Benefits: Helps absorb sound, reducing echo in rooms and muffling external noise.
- Added Weight: Gives curtains a beautiful, structured hang with deeper folds.
Properly interlined curtains are considered the gold standard in high-end window treatments, often found in heritage properties and luxury interiors.
When to Choose Lining vs. Interlining
Choose Standard Lining When:
- You're working with a limited budget
- The room doesn't experience extreme temperature fluctuations
- You need basic light filtering
- Your curtains are in rooms with lower humidity or less exposure to direct sunlight
- You prefer a lighter, more casual drape
Choose Interlining When:
- You want a truly luxurious look and feel
- Energy efficiency is a priority
- The windows are drafty or single-glazed
- You desire maximum sound absorption
- The curtain fabric is lightweight but you want it to appear more substantial
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
When deciding between lined and interlined curtains, consider:
- Room function: Bedrooms benefit from the light-blocking properties of interlining
- Window size: Larger windows often look better with the fuller appearance of interlined curtains
- Climate: Colder regions justify the investment in interlining for thermal benefits
- Budget: Balance initial cost against long-term energy savings
- Fabric weight: Lightweight fabrics gain substantial body with interlining
Custom made-to-measure curtains allow you to select the perfect combination of fabric, lining, and interlining to achieve your desired look and performance.
The investment in quality lining or interlining not only enhances the appearance of your curtains but also protects your primary fabric investment and can contribute to energy efficiency throughout your home.