Everything you want to know, before you get started

Because Ireland has cold winters and long daylight evenings in summer, most homes prefer blackout lined curtains for insulation and privacy. For living rooms, people combine sheer and blackout curtains.

Blackout blocks 95 to 100 percent light. Dim out reduces light but does not fully block it.

Thick, lined curtains reduce heat loss through windows and lower heating costs.

Velvet for luxury look. Linen for modern minimal homes. Cotton blend for budget friendly option.

Yes. We bring fabric samples during home consultation so you can match with your sofa and wall colours.

In Ireland, fabrics that provide insulation and durability work best. Velvet, heavy linen blends and thermal lined cotton are popular choices because they help retain heat during winter and provide privacy year round. At Curtain House Ireland, we recommend fabric based on room type and sunlight exposure.

Polyester blends with blackout lining or triple weave fabrics are best for blocking light. For a more luxurious look, velvet with blackout lining is very popular in Irish bedrooms. Curtain House Ireland offers custom blackout solutions tailored to your needs.

When people say a fabric is pet and child friendly, they mean it is stain resistant, easy to clean, durable under everyday use, and resistant to wear from everyday activity. These qualities make textiles suitable for busy family homes.

A high performance fabric is engineered to resist stains, spills, wear and tear while still looking stylish and soft to the touch. These fabrics often have tightly woven fibres and performance finishes that handle everyday life with pets and children without compromising on texture or colour.

Performance fabrics with tight weaves resist fur embedding deep into fibres and make it easier to brush or vacuum off pet hair. While no fabric is completely scratch-proof, tighter weave fabrics are significantly more resistant to snagging and claws than loosely woven textiles.

Yes. These fabrics are designed to resist spills and stains — liquids bead up on the surface and can usually be wiped clean with just water and mild soap. That’s ideal for homes with kids and pets where spills are common.

Modern performance fabrics are woven to feel soft and natural, not plasticky or stiff. Many performance weaves look and feel comparable to luxury fabrics while giving extra protection for everyday use.

Neutral colours with subtle texture or pattern help hide minor fur, marks and wear. Lighter colours may show stains more easily, so mid-tones or patterns work well in high-traffic family areas.

Yes, one of the biggest benefits of performance fabrics is easy maintenance. Most stains can be spot cleaned or gently blotted, and strong fabrics don’t degrade with routine cleaning.

Sunlight can fade any fabric over time, but many performance textiles are treated to resist fading and retain colour longer, especially when used in curtains or furniture near windows.

Loose weave fabrics, loosely textured materials or delicate fibres tend to snag and trap fur more easily, making them less ideal for active family homes.

Yes. Durable performance fabrics are generally safe for homes with children and pets because they don’t require harsh chemicals to clean and are engineered to withstand wear without losing performance.

With performance fabrics, odours usually don’t penetrate deep, so regular vacuuming and gentle cleaning solutions can help keep fabrics fresh. It’s best to blot spills quickly and treat spots when they happen.

Many performance textiles are easier to wash or spot clean than traditional fabrics, but care instructions vary so always check before cleaning. Some fabrics can even be machine washed depending on their construction.

Tightly woven fabrics like micro-weave polyester, dense chenille or acrylic blends hold up better over time and resist stretching, snags and general wear — ideal for family use.

Regular vacuuming, prompt spot cleaning, and following the care guide provided with your curtains or upholstery helps keep performance fabrics looking new despite heavy use.

GSM means grams per square metre. It tells you how heavy and dense a fabric is. Higher GSM fabrics usually provide better insulation, privacy and structure. Lower GSM fabrics are lighter and allow more light. At Curtain House Ireland, we guide you on GSM depending on room type and sunlight exposure.

Martindale rating measures fabric durability and resistance to wear. Higher ratings mean better durability for high traffic areas. For family homes in Ireland, we recommend fabrics with strong durability performance especially for living rooms and homes with pets.

Interlining is an extra layer placed between fabric and lining. It adds fullness, luxury drape and better insulation. Interlined curtains are ideal for premium living rooms and period homes in Ireland.

Yes. Heavy fabrics like velvet with lining can slightly reduce outside noise, especially in busy areas. While not soundproof, they improve comfort and reduce echo in rooms.

Common styles include wave heading, pencil pleat and pinch pleat. Wave gives a modern hotel look. Pencil pleat is classic. Pinch pleat looks structured and luxurious. Curtain House Ireland helps you choose based on your interior style.