Pleated curtains will be an effective alternative to classic window drapery options. They are multifunctional, suitable for openings of any shape and size, and occupy a minimum of free space. Such products can be combined with curtains or drapes, installed directly on the window sash or attached to walls or slopes.
Description of pleated curtains
This may be the name for curtains whose fabric is gathered into a fold. They do not lose their shape during use and do not sag. Due to the folds, they are easy to raise and lower, adjusting the level of light in the room. The structure can be mounted on wooden, plastic, or aluminum frames.
Corrugated curtains differ in design. They consist of two accordions fastened along the fold line. This provides an additional heat-insulating effect of the window opening due to the air gap, protects the room from overheating in the summer and from heat loss in the cold season. Due to the complexity of manufacturing, the cost of such curtains is higher compared to pleated ones.
Designers recommend installing paper curtains in rooms with minimal likelihood of contamination. This is due to the fact that such fabrics can only be dry cleaned. Wet cleaning is only possible when using moisture-resistant types of material or paintable wallpaper.
What is it used for?
Pleated material is used for sewing clothes such as:
- chiffon blouses;
Great option for everyday wear - skirts;
The skirt can be of different colors - trousers;
- coat made of woolen fabric.
Can be combined with a coat and a skirt made of the same material
Decorative inserts are made from pleated fabrics on the sleeves, bodice, and front of the blouse. Pleating is successfully used for school uniforms and office suits made of mixed fabric. A pleated skirt looks strict and elegant. Fine pleating on a thin, translucent fabric creates a “flying” silhouette.
Pleated trim is used for ruffles and collar trim.
Pleated textiles are used as part of interior decoration. It is used as part of the home interior. Also used for decorating banquet halls, restaurants and hotels. It can be:
- tablecloths (spectacular pleating gives an expensive and decorative look, folds of various widths are used);
- lampshades (used to create elegant drapery);
- curtains (create the effect of vertical drapery with different sizes and shapes of folds), reviews of opaque roller blinds can be seen at the link;
- blinds (wide, horizontal pleating is used).
Decorative elements can additionally be decorated with drapery on top of a narrow pleated.
Device and control
The design of blinds includes a canvas, a control mechanism, an aluminum, PVC or wooden profile. The depth of the folds can be 1.5-6 cm. The choice depends on the size of the window. Pleated installation at any level is possible. To protect indoor plants from intense sunlight and ensure privacy, the canvas is placed at the bottom of the sash, indented from the top edge. The room will be light.
Control of the web position can be manual or automated. In the first case, a cord (cord or chain) is used. If the curtain consists of two separate panels, regulation is provided for each of them. In the second case, control is performed using an electric drive. This choice is justified when placing windows in places with difficult access or at height.
Varieties and modifications of blinds for plastic windows
Curtains with pleated fabric are distinguished by shape, the choice of which is determined by the geometry of the opening. Their use allows you to emphasize the non-standard configuration of the window. This is the best option for arched, round, triangular, trapezoidal frames.
Manufacturers offer fabric blinds in the following design options:
- Free-hanging canvases. Such curtains are not fixed at the bottom, so they are suitable for shutters that are not equipped with a tilt-and-turn mechanism.
- Tension pleats attached to the bottom of the profile. The option is optimal for installation on sashes of any design, since the products do not sag when they are tilted.
- Pleated curtain “day-night”. The canvas consists of two types of material with different light transmittance.
- Top down. The system is distinguished by the presence of movable cornices in the upper and lower parts of the canvas. This increases the functionality of the product by adjusting its position in the opening.
- Curtains with reinforced tension. The design is characterized by the presence of side guides, which avoids sagging if the window unit is located on an inclined surface. Additional reinforcement with cables is possible for ceiling sashes of greenhouses and winter gardens.
Folds are located horizontally or vertically. The first option is universal and most widespread. The second is intended for installation only on standard rectangular windows.
What materials is it made from?
The material for making corrugated curtains can be fabric or paper. To simplify the care of the canvas, manufacturers apply impregnation to the surface, which protects it from moisture and fading under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. The composition ensures the antistatic properties of the material.
Depending on the degree of darkness of the fabric used, manufacturers offer the following types of products:
- Transparent (tulle pleated). Most often they are used in conjunction with classic blackout curtains.
- Semi-darkened (crepe pearl, crash). A universal solution that allows you to reduce indoor illumination during the daytime. Such fabric blinds are universal; they can be used without additional blackout curtains.
- Blackout. The fabric is lightproof and provides complete protection against ultraviolet penetration. The fabric has a multi-layer structure. Blackout consists of a highly reflective synthetic material, a layer designed to diffuse light, and a decorative coating. Everything in the complex ensures complete darkness of the room.
Manufacturers also offer a wide range of paper blinds. Most often, they are made of high-density double-sided material or paintable wallpaper (they have optimal light transmission). The second option is optimal for making curtains with your own hands.
Design tips
Such curtains will be an excellent solution for both an apartment and a country house. They look best in minimalist interiors, such as hi-tech, loft, techno, minimalism. But this does not mean that they cannot be used in other styles. Can. The main thing is to choose the right color and, if possible, combine it with curtains or tulle.
The functionality of these unique curtains: a wide selection of colors and textures of fabrics used for their manufacture, various impregnations that improve the quality of the fabric, a convenient lifting mechanism allow them to be used in interiors of various functions.
Kitchen
It is better to choose pleated curtains for the kitchen from polyester or mixed fabric with a dirt-repellent and antistatic coating. In this room they are also convenient because they save space and leave the window sill free. Drawings can be chosen according to personal preferences or abandoned altogether, keeping in mind the relationship between color and composition to shape appetite.
Particularly convenient for the kitchen are “double pleated” tensioners with simultaneous adjustment of the upper and lower positions or “Day-Night” mounted on the doors. Pleated blinds for plastic windows, photos, which are presented above, save space and leave the window sill completely free.
Pleated curtains in the kitchen are convenient for decorating balcony doors. They can be decorated with both short structures that cover only their glass parts, and long ones that cover the doors along their entire height. Thanks to its elegant minimalism, this design never looks bulky.
It is better to hang pleated curtains in a spacious kitchen combined with a living room with panoramic windows over the entire glazing, rather than visually splitting it into several panels. This design looks aesthetically pleasing and at the same time presentable.
If the size of the room allows you not to think about using a window sill, such curtains can be installed in the opening across its entire width. It is advisable to use the “Up-down” options, which allow you to open that part of the window from which the penetration of light will be most convenient for each time of day.
Living room or hall
At their core, pleated curtains are another type of blinds. Some may find them too laconic for the living room. In fact, with the right approach, both horizontal and vertical pleated blinds look no less cozy than classic curtains.
Pleated curtains on plastic windows combine perfectly with classic curtains and act as light filters. These two types of window decor look very good in tandem and complement each other.
The living room, as a rule, does not require complete shading, so it can combine two types of curtains. Translucent blinds and delicate tulle silk curtains together look very gentle, airy and visually add volume to a small room.
For windows in the living room, it is advisable to choose a monochromatic design. In this room, you already have to place a lot of decorative accessories and functional items, and prints on the decor, characterized by a large number of folds on which there is a constant play of light and shadow, will make the interior heavier.
For a delicate interior that is not overloaded with details and accessories, it is quite acceptable to choose products with an unobtrusive print.
This photo is clear proof that this window design is suitable not only for minimalist, but classic “rustic” interiors, such as Provence, Scandinavian, country or shabby chic. The main thing is to correctly place accents and choose colors.
For bathroom
In the bathroom this decor looks more than appropriate. Naturally, given the high humidity of this room, you need to choose models with moisture-resistant impregnation and pleated paper blinds will not fit here.
The original appearance, compactness, and ease of maintenance make these blinds an ideal option for the bathroom, regardless of its size and interior style.
In the bathroom, accordion canvases can be used to decorate not only the window, but also the niche under it. In such a niche it will be convenient to store all kinds of household supplies and household chemicals.
In the case where the bathroom is designed in an attic with windows of a non-standard shape, which you want not to hide, but to emphasize, pleated bars become the only possible option for functional decor.
For the bedroom
The bedroom periodically needs complete darkness. Pleated curtains, especially if they are made of light-blocking blackout fabric, perform this function perfectly. And if you choose a product with an electric drive and a programmable timer, you don’t even have to get out of bed to lift the curtains and let light into the room after waking up.
“Day-Night” designs (in the photo), which can be moved to different positions depending on the time of day, will create the desired level of illumination in the bedroom even during the day. For a sound and comfortable sleep, it is advisable to choose canvases in calm, non-flashy colors.
The vintage beauty of arched windows should not be hidden under curtains that hide their semicircular shape. Pleated panels specially designed for such openings will be an ideal solution in this case.
In a bedroom with several windows, decor made from partner fabrics, for example, plain and printed, looks good. It is necessary to keep in mind that it is advisable to choose pictures that are dim, as if blurred, and do not “break” in numerous folds.
Neutral, pastel colors are best for the bedroom. The combination of pleated and plain tulle will add tranquility, aesthetics and comfort to its atmosphere.
Pleated blackout curtains in a dark color will become an accent spot in the interior. They are usually monochromatic and look great against the background of patterned wallpaper. And their combination with light curtains will give the atmosphere of the room greater coziness and add comfort.
For children's
Pleats are used in children's rooms more and more every year. There are several objective reasons for this. Firstly, as has been said more than once, the fabric used for their production is treated with special compounds during the production process. After processing, it acquires antistatic, dust-repellent properties, which are simply irreplaceable in a nursery. Secondly, lifting models are located high above the floor, so that the child will not be able to reach them and harm himself. And thirdly, you can choose the appropriate option for a child of any gender and age.
In the room where a teenager lives, bright, cheerful colors are welcome. The main emphasis can be placed on the windows.
Pleated blinds are not the best “canvas” for photo printing. But in the nursery they look very cute. The main thing is to choose a pattern that will not get lost in the numerous accordion folds.
There is no need for pitch darkness in a newborn's room. A compact, softly scattering light, pleated curtain made of translucent curtain fabric is suitable here. It will be an excellent replacement for classic tulle and, unlike it, will not collect dust on its surface.
For balconies and loggias
Most balconies and loggias cannot boast of large sizes and choosing curtains for them is not the easiest task. They should become effective protection from scorching sun rays if the balcony faces the south side, and if it faces the north, protect its interior from prying eyes without shading and in both cases not overload the interior. These requests are best met by lifting structures, and pleated blinds are one of them.
When the loggia faces the sunny side, the best solution for it would be fabric products with a reflective metallized coating. Thanks to them, a comfortable air temperature will be maintained both on the balcony and in the room.
For ease of use, it is better to design each sash on the balcony glazing separately. In addition, this installation is the most compact and saves space.
Remember that the balcony is visible from the adjacent room, so it is better to decorate it in neutral shades. If you have chosen a bright decor for the balcony, its colors should echo the main colors of the interior of the adjacent room.
It would seem that in interior design, especially in its part concerning the design of windows, everything was invented a long time ago, and it is no longer possible to create something radically new and unusual. But pleated curtains with their appearance refuted these skeptical sentiments and opened up wide scope for designers to be creative and generate new ideas. In most interior solutions they look stylish, dignified, modern, and their advantages are undeniable.
Advantages and disadvantages
Corrugated curtains are one of the few options for solar protection systems that are used regardless of the size and geometry of windows, including sashes made in the shape of a triangle, trapezoid, or circle. This ensures ease of use of the structures. Curtains fixed to plastic windows do not need to be lifted if you need to open or close the sash.
Additional arguments in favor of choosing pleated pleats are the following factors:
- Possibility to choose the installation method. It is allowed to install curtains with or without drilling the frame. Small panels are attached to the window profile using a self-adhesive fastener. The massive structure is securely fixed using small self-tapping screws (their caps are closed with plugs, so they look neat and do not attract attention).
- Compact curtain sizes. The width of the cornice does not exceed 2 cm. In the raised position, it does not interfere with the view.
- Practicality. The presence of a protective coating on the surface of the fabric simplifies the removal of dust and other contaminants. Hand washing of the fabric is allowed at temperatures up to +30°C in soapy water. Paper blinds can only withstand dry cleaning.
- Possibility of remote control, integration into the Smart Home system. When the corrugated curtain is equipped with an electric drive, the position of the curtain can be adjusted using the remote control or a stationary panel.
The disadvantage of using curtains in the form of accordion blinds made of fabric when decorating the interior is that they are not machine washable. Cool water, recommended for wet cleaning, does not get rid of difficult stains. Therefore, the use of such canvases in the kitchen is only possible if the windows are located away from the stove, sink, and work surfaces.
Proper care is the key to long service life
In order for light filters to serve for a long time, they must be installed only in enclosed spaces with air temperatures from 0 to +40C and a humidity level not exceeding 70%.
The operating rules are simple: do not allow mechanical damage, do not repair it yourself, do not suddenly lower or raise the curtain. There are two ways to care for pleated curtains: wipe with a damp sponge soaked in warm soapy water or wash by hand. This applies to transparent and translucent fabrics. Curtains made of opaque material have a reflective layer, so only dry cleaning is recommended for their care.
To wash the pleated fabric, it must be removed from the fastener and placed open in a warm solution with a neutral detergent (water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees). The curtain is soaked for 15-30 minutes, while it can be turned over by holding the profiles, but not twisted. Then the pleated is pulled out, also holding it by the upper profile, and washed open in the shower. To allow the water to drain, the pleated sheet needs to be folded and tilted slightly. Without waiting for the product to dry completely, you can install the fasteners in place.
The pleated takes about 12 hours to dry. The curtain must be folded during this process. Ironing the product is strictly prohibited.
Subtleties of choice
When choosing curtains, they are guided by the size and shape of the window, and wishes regarding the light transmission of the canvas. The design is also taken into account: manufacturers produce models in pleated and honeycomb versions. The second will provide a more comfortable indoor microclimate.
Depending on the interior design and purpose of the room, there are plain and colored pleated fabrics. The curtain can be made of paper or fabric and provide manual or electrical control when opening. Some models do not provide for position adjustment during operation.
Fabric pleating
Artistic folds are created using the industrial pressing method. It is possible to repeat the procedure at home. The fabric is steamed through special molds. However, the labor-intensive process takes a long time. Any natural or synthetic raw material is suitable for pleating fabric. There are mixed models.
For information! To select fabric for processing at home, you need to test a small scrap. You need to crush the material tightly. If creases remain, pleating will be easy.
How to do it yourself
To make blinds from wallpaper yourself, you will need a minimum set of materials and tools. All you need is a hole punch, a utility knife, and double-sided tape. Before choosing a canvas, you should measure the window opening and determine how to attach the curtains. It is better to fix the pleated with Velcro, due to this the product can be easily replaced in the future without damaging the profile.
When determining the dimensions of the canvas, its width should correspond to the size of the window, its length should be 30-40 cm greater than the height of the opening. To form an accordion, the material must be smoothed, markings must be applied at intervals of 3 cm to determine the fold lines, and the cut must be folded along them. In this case, the extreme folds on both sides should be folded inward.
To adjust the position of the pleated, you can use a cord or satin ribbon. Holes are made using a hole punch in the middle of the canvas and 5 cm from its edges. After threading, the cord or tape is fixed with tape, and plastic clips are put on the ends. How the curtain is made determines its functionality, design and level of light transmission.
Examples in the interior
In the photos presented in manufacturers' catalogs, pleated panels are mainly used for windows of non-standard shape. In this way, it is possible to emphasize the features of the architectural design of the building without hiding them under classic curtains. Using bright plain or colored canvases, windows become an accent in the interior.
Such design options are optimal if the wall decoration is in a minimalist style. Pleated fabrics in neutral shades are universal and suitable for rooms regardless of the direction of their design. The choice of color also depends on the level of light transmission. Light-colored fabrics diffuse sunlight and protect from ultraviolet radiation. Black curtains provide complete privacy. The day-night model allows you to combine both options.
Historical excursion
This name appeared in the 17th century and is derived from the French word “pli”, which means “fold”. The pleated fabric itself existed long before the beginning of our era - noble Egyptians (both women and men) decorated their costumes with it. Pleated fabric was also very popular in China, Japan, Azerbaijan, and Scotland.
The creation of pleated fabrics was patented only in 1909 by designer Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo, the son of the famous Spanish artist. In 1907, he created and presented to the world the Delphos tunic dress made of pleated silk, which was recognized as a real work of art. At first, such dresses were worn only at home, then they became the favorite evening options for noble ladies.
