Why buy made to measure curtains?
If you are unfamiliar with what exactly makes a made to measure curtain (or any other custom-made fabric product for your home) so different from shop bought ready mades, this article might be useful to read before you start the custom design process.
The following are some of the most important advantages:
See it to believe it. We all know the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Unfortunately, with made to measure curtains, that saying doesn't quite apply. Many of the factors that make a made to measure curtain so extra special can't be seen in a picture. Custom curtains, for example, are fully lined, making them fuller and heavier. They weigh about 2 - 2.5 pounds per panel on average, whereas the same size, unlined ready made curtain weighs less than a pound. Of course, there are some ready made curtains that are lined. Unfortunately, most are lined with cotton percale fabric, which is a thin sheeting fabric with a low thread count. While it may help to block out the sun and prevent fading to some extent, it does little to add fullness to a drapery.
Lining makes the difference. Made to measure curtains are lined with a thicker polycotton fabric that blocks the sun in the best way possible (up to SPF 50). The polyester component in the lining gives a drapery more strength and fullness. Lining is especially useful in rooms that experience more moisture and evaporative fumes. That's because cotton captures and releases these fumes much easier, making lined window treatments a must in busy kitchens and bathrooms. As you see, the ideal lining is made of both cotton and polyester.
Tailored to your needs. Made to measure curtains are made especially for your room the way you'd like. Ready made curtains are designed to please the majority of consumers. These include curtains that are made with solid, neutral colors and standard sizes. If you need to dress a very wide nursery window in pink and brown toile fabric, you will have a hard time finding the perfect window treatment that you want. Decorator fabrics come in a wide range of colors, prints, and sizes, giving you endless custom options that most shop bought curtains don't offer.
A wise investment. On average, people who purchased made to measure curtains keep them on their windows for seven years. Ready made curtains are changed every one to two years. The quality of made to measure curtains is better, but going after the look that you really want instead of the look that is available will also keep you happy with your room for many years longer. Many of our clients tell us what a relief it is to finally see a made to measure curtain on their windows. Unique window treatments are not easy to find if you're looking for a specific look to fit your room. Most consumers start designing their rooms with matching furniture, pictures, walls, and little accents, only to see their designs come to a screeching halt when they realize that they can't find a matching curtain.
There are many more reasons why made to measure is better than ready made, but the most important one of them is simply value. made to measure curtains pay for themselves throughout all the years that they gracefully cover your windows.
