How to choose window treatments by window type, room and project brief

They split into made-up curtains that draw sideways on a track or pole, and blinds that raise, lower or tilt. Each differs in light control, privacy, maintenance and cost.

• Two-layer curtain and sheer: the standard in apartments and villas across the region; the sheer filters daylight, the main curtain blocks light and gives night privacy. Style depends on curtain heading types.
• Roman blinds: fabric folds as it rises; neat on small and medium windows.
• Roller blinds: flat fabric on a tube, blackout or solar screen.
• Zebra blinds: alternating solid and mesh bands that shift to adjust light.
• Venetian blinds: tilting timber or aluminium slats for precise light direction.
• Vertical blinds: upright vanes for wide openings and offices.
• Honeycomb blinds: air-cell construction that insulates; good for skylights and sunny glazing.
• Motorised treatments: possible for nearly every type, but power must be planned early; see motorised curtains and blinds.

Use this relative comparison to shortlist options before choosing fabrics. Actual performance depends on fabric, lining and fixing.

For bedrooms and hotel rooms, the lining matters more than the face fabric; see blackout and thermal linings.

In high-rise apartments, the usual answer is curtain plus sheer on a double track recessed in a gypsum ceiling pocket, running ceiling to floor. It covers the whole glazing, hides the track and separates daylight and privacy layers.

• Pocket width for two tracks (sheer and blackout) is typically around 25–30 cm internally (about 15–20 cm for a single track), with a height of about 10–15 cm; motors need extra space and a power socket in the pocket. Confirm with the track supplier before the ceiling closes.
• Full fullness keeps long runs looking generous; stretched curtains look thin and leak light at the edges.
• Stack-back takes up part of the glass when open; plan it so it does not block the main view.
• West sun fades fabric; use colourfast, lined fabrics.
• Drops above 3 m are heavy; consider motors and rated track.

Measure on site following a site survey method for curtains.

On aluminium sliding doors to balconies, curtains must stack fully over the fixed panel to keep the opening clear. On inward-opening casements, treatments must sit outside the sash swing and handles.

Sliding doors

• Extend the track or stack towards the fixed panel.
• Side-drawing curtains or verticals suit a frequently used doorway better than blinds that raise.
• High-level wind lifts curtains; weights or hold-downs help.

Inward-opening casements

• Inside-recess blinds usually clash with the sash; fix outside the recess, above the frame.
• Curtains need enough track projection for the sash and handle to open fully.

See measuring roman, roller and zebra blinds.

Villas often have double-height glazing and a wider mix of windows. Shophouses have narrow frontages over several floors, often facing neighbours directly, so privacy leads the brief.

• Double-height windows: 5–7 m drops need rated track, motors and heavy fabric with stable drape, plus access for cleaning.
• Villa living rooms: heavier curtains in pinch pleat or wave with a daytime sheer.
• Narrow shophouse fronts: solar rollers, zebra or aluminium venetians give airflow with privacy; ground-floor retail may need large rollers.
• Small windows: extend the track beyond the reveal so curtains stack on the wall and the window reads larger.

On hospitality and public projects, confirm fire performance requirements for fabrics at design stage with the fire consultant, and ask the supplier for the fabric test report.

Fix function first, then treatment type and hardware, then fabric and colour. Reversing the order often produces an attractive fabric that cannot be installed or does not black out.

1. Function: blackout, privacy, insulation, glare, fire.
2. Window type and operation.
3. Treatment type and control: curtain or blind, manual or motorised.
4. Hardware and fixing: ceiling pocket, recessed track, pole, inside or outside recess.
5. Fabric and lining: weight, drape, lightfastness.
6. Aesthetics: matt or sheen, pattern scale relative to room, colour against walls and floor.

Matt fabrics read soft and calm; a slight sheen reflects light and adds depth under low lighting. Large patterns need wide curtain faces; on small windows they lose their repeat when stacked.

SEAMATER supports design teams with sample ordering, survey and measurement, and installation of curtains, blinds and curtain motors, for projects in Vietnam and overseas (export) projects. Fabric swatches are ordered inside a project with a deposit that is refunded when the order is confirmed; sample books and large samples are loaned.

• Survey and measurement: carried out on site for curtains.
• Installation: curtains, blinds and motors, including travel and limit setup and smart-home connection.
• Physical review: the Bonario showroom serves as the Material & Spec Center.

Registered accounts see lead time and stock per product; verified trade accounts also see price.