Window Treatment Glossary
- E Through H

Energy Efficient Window Treatments
There is a wide assortment of energy efficient window treatments available. These home energy saving window treatments have great benefits in addition to energy efficiency - eco friendly fabrics, recycled materials, and low emissions, too. Learn more about them here.

Face Fabric
This is the color or pattern of the fabric that faces the room - not the side that has lining applied to it. This is usually considered the "right" side of the fabric; but many designers use both sides of fabric. Sometimes the back of fabrics are prettier than the face of the fabric. Depends on the fabric and the use.

Fan Folded
This is customarily done at workrooms when they finish drapery panels - it is the vertical fold of accordian action of the fabric that creates folds and helps hold the drapery to the form intended for pinch pleats, etc. Many European masters don't believe in fan folding - this is more of a modern tradition than old world style. Without it, the drapery will usually "flair" a bit at the bottom or have larger folds than the top. See what it looks like

Feng Shui
Feng Shui according to Wikipedia is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive qi. Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.

The term feng shui literally translates as "wind-water". Learn more about Feng Shui and the five elements of yin and yang, and how they affect your work and play, your comfort and beauty, and many more areas of your life. It's a "feel good" experience that you can learn more about with the addition of some beautiful Ionic Salt Lamps.

Finial
Decorative pieces that fit over the end of a drapery rod that are usually plain and made for limited spaces. Takes the place of a finial and keeps rings from sliding off the ends of drapery rods. Can be plain, decorative, wood or metal. See them here

Flame Retardant Fabrics
Treated fabric so it will not catch on fire. There are two processes: Either it can be manufactured with flame retardant fiber, or it can be treated after it is milled with a flame retardant product that will make it stiffer and makes the fibers flame resistant.

Flame Retardant Fibers
These are natural fire retardant fibers like polyester, etc. That are naturally fire resistant. Often used in commercial buildings and restaurants and bars.

Flannel
Flannel is a flat soft fabric that is beautiful for drapery and window treatments as well as bedding and upholstery. The fabric is made from fine wool and can be very colorful and have fabulous designs.

Flat Roman shade
This is a more tailored style shade that is flat and soft pleats form at the bottom as shade is drawn. Very plain, very simple.

Forging Iron
Old world style of blacksmiths to force shape iron and other metals with high heat and hammer into shapes.

French Country Window Treatments
French Country reminds me of just that - the country in France - simple, feminine, lots of flowers and french lace mixed with pottery, canisters and roosters. Lots of pastels and toile fabrics and Waverly Fabrics are perfect for this décor. Not too fussy but definitely not plain vanilla either. A nice blend of florals and stripes with lace curtains underneath.

Fullness
This window treatment glossary term makes a great deal of difference in the finished look of the drapery panels or other window treatments. Depending on the style, the fullness can be 2 or 3 times fullness or even up to 8 times fullness for things like sheer rod pocket curtains. This is the width of the window times the cuts of fabric width to give the finished product fullness. You can use less fabric to get the results, but it may not look as professional as using the 'standard' widths designated.

Goblet Pleats
Sometimes confused with a Cartridge Pleat, a cylindrical fold of fabric lined with buckram to hold the luxurious cylinder shape at the top of a drape or panel. These pleats can range from just a few inches to over a foot long for great drama effects and at a tall window and be very narrow or very wide depending upon the height of the window treatment and how dramatic you want them to be. Also, the width of the pleat can be narrow or wide depending upon the fullness of the drapery. Looks similar to a wine goblet. The difference is the goblet pleats has tucks at the bottom of the goblet originally used to add trim or detailing features. The cartridge has no tucks or tacking at the bottom and is normally stuffed to have a soft rolling effect of the fabric from one pleat to another. The cartridge pleat will not stack as tightly as the Goblet Pleat.

Grommets
Metal (usually brass or chrome) rings that have a front and a back and fit into each other to be placed on fabric to form a ring hole that will slide over drapery rod for ease of movement for the drapery. Usually matches the other hardware for the treatment.

Haute Couture Design
This is one of the most mis-used terms in the industry. Many THINK they are qualified to call themselves haute courture - but very few are qualified for even half of that term. This term was originally reserved for the clothing industry and donned proudly by such names as Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Armani, and Valentino.

It was exclusive and trend-setting, and was ruled the term could not be used unless certain quality and other criteria was met. Today, the term is used loosely; and by the drapery and upholstery industry by a few who may or may not have the same integrity and ethics of high-quality, expensive fabric, great perfection in detail, and made to order; but rather instead of those things, it is used to garner a higher return on their wares and allow them to over charge for their services.

Heading
The top of the drapery is the header and how it is finished is called the heading. It can be pleated, gathered, shirred, tie or tab top, rod pocket, etc. It can be plain or decorative like smocking or shirring.

Hobbled Roman Shade
Roman shade that has permanent soft folds that layer when shade is fully extended or drawn. This is also called a soft fold roman shade.

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