How to choose the right lining

• Creates a thermal insulation layer by trapping warm air inside in cold climates or reducing heat transferring into the room in hot climates
• Increases longevity of your drapes and soft furnishings as a lining helps protect the fabric from harmful UV rays
• Resistance to dust and mildew
• Ability to darken a room (dimout or blackout)
• Improves drapability
• Stronger acoustic properties with more layers

Read more: When a lining is not a lining, but so much more...

Three layers (3 Pass) of coated acrylic suede compound is known as a ‘blackout’ thermal lining. This process offers the same benefits of thermal lining but also eliminates light penetration entirely. Blackout linings minimize the risk of natural flaws in the fabric from showing through, add body to the fabric, and provide a stable base for roman blinds. When drawing your curtains during the day, a blackout lining will ensure the colour of your main drape isn’t saturated/washed out by sunlight.

The coated side of both thermal coated and blackout coated linings must face the glass to maximize UV and mildew resistant properties. Thermal and blackout linings are not machine washable, they may be gently hand washed if necessary and drip dried with coated surfaces facing out. Professional cleaning by a specialist is the recommended option.

Unlike coated linings, a dimout lining is a woven construction which allows a small amount of light to pass through – hence the name ‘dimout’ as opposed to ‘blackout.’ It is a popular lining in both commercial and residential applications due to its affordability, washability, and noise reduction properties. It has a soft, thick handle which adds fullness to a light weight fabric such as silk and taffeta. Darker dimouts achieve a higher degree of light reduction than lighter colours.

Read more: Understanding triple weaves

Interlinings add body and fullness to lightweight fabrics such as silk and taffeta, and are typically composed of either blended polyester/viscose/cotton or 100% napped cotton. Interlinings improve insulation and acoustic properties of a room through noise reduction and provide extra protection from harmful UV rays; also working as additional padding for headboards and pelmets when used between the face fabric and lining.

Read more: Sound absorption for comfortable living

Due to technological advancements coated linings are made of a silicone compound which creates a soft, agile handle and does not elicit or hold any loose dust as experienced with acrylic suede lining. Silicone backed linings are a coated lining product with three layers of silicone on one side, providing protection from the sun and moisture. This product is also washable, making it easier to maintain although it cannot be dry-cleaned.

Linings with fire retardant attributes have either had a treatment applied to the yarn/fabric retrospectively or the fibre/yarns used to produce the fabric have been engineered to possess inherent FR characteristics. FR linings meet all government requirements/standards and are suitable for residential and commercial use.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is an independent international certification. Linings that carry this certification mean that the fabric is free from harmful substances and safe for people and the environment.

Read more: What is Oeko-Tex?