Intro to Window Treatments...

Delia Tacheny

INT 323 - Textiles, Materials, and Sourcing

Weekly Summary

This week we began our section on Window Treatments in the realm of Textiles. Chapter 15 Introduced "Window Treatment Selection" by touching on the primary purposes and considerations when it comes to window coverings. 

The fenestration of a building is a factor of key definition for a building's design and functionality. As Interior Designer's we may be involved in the placement and arrangement of windows and doors, etc. However, more likely than not, we will be in charge of helping clients choose the proper Window covering for their space.  As window design and technology has advanced, the role of Window treatments as a primarily functional piece as slightly diminished, yet they still play a vital role in the interior space for many other reasons. 

Aesthetically speaking, window coverings can be easily narrowed down by style, fabric choice, color, formality, etc. As we have been discussing textiles, there are obviously a variety of fabric choices, though some work better for window coverings than others -- once again, consider the hand, luster, and drapability. For example, Satin weave produces excellent drapability while plain weave results in a stiffer fabric. Fabrics used for gathered and ruffled curtains are usually made from fabrics with a crisp hand to support the gathers and the ruffles, while finer, softer yarns are used for sash curtains and Australian shades. Exterior window treatments are usually made of large-gauge, high-twist yarns that provide high durability and lightfastness. Various window structures and spaces require and sometimes limit different treatments. Bow windows, windows opening inwards, and large expanses of glass for example, call for unique treatments. Designers must also consider color, and keep in mind the difference between actual color and apparent color when designing a particular space; lightfastness, gas-fastness, and fastness to cleaning agents are all important considerations for the appearance retention of a window covering. 

Window coverings serve a variety of functions such as light control, privacy, insulation, and noise reduction, of which some are more necessary for certain locations. The sheerness/ degree of fabric openness affects the amount of light transmission allowed through. A portion of light waves striking any object are reflected, while another portion are absorbed, and the remaining portion are transmitted through. Casements (image to the left) are a type of knitted or woven fabric that feature many open areas between the yarns, and often feature loop or curl yarns to add aesthetics. The airy projections and inconsistent diameter of complex yarns cover the surface area yet increase the opacity of a fabric. The window covering's ability to reduce glare is impacted by the characteristics of the fiber, the color of the fiber, number of layers, and fullness of panels.

Interior noises can be categorized into three classifications: 1) Airborne sounds - people talking, phones ringing, etc., 2) Surface sounds - people walking or pushing items across the floor, 3) Impact/ Structurally borne sounds - impacts on a structural surface that cause it to vibrate. Window and wall coverings can be utilized and installed in a way to absorb sound that is traveling horizontally. 

Though the design of windows themselves has drastically improved, appropriate window treatments can still contribute to the maintenance of efficient interior temperatures. Convection, conduction, and radiation are all factors in the conservation of energy. Window coverings are most effective when they have a tight enclosure that will entrap dead air between the fabric and the glass, which will hinder conduction and reduce air flow. Window coverings can also be used to control radiant energy in the interior space – allowing heat in from the sun during the winter and keeping it out in the summer. The effectiveness of this control can be measured by the shading coefficient (total amount of heat transmitted by a window glass + covering divided by total amount of heat transmitted by a single pane of glass.) 

The cost of window treatments has three primary variables: the initial costs (fabric choice/ treatment/ style etc. and cost of labor); the replacement costs (being aware of the expected use-life); and maintenance costs (for upkeep and cleaning). All three of them are important to consider during selection.

Research Initiative: Jacquard Weaving

For this week's research initiative, I selected the videos on Jacquard weaving as this is something I feel we haven't covered as in depth. 

Both videos on the topic of Jacquard weaving were interesting. The first video was showing a Shuttle Loom at work from a manufacturer called Dashmesh. I observed that the loom had many moving parts, and honestly operated in what felt like a very clunky way. Watching all the parts work together was astounding, and I was most surprised by how fast the loom operated. I also observed how loud the machines were, especially in a factory housing what seemed to be a multitude of looms all operating at the same time. I honestly felt bad for the workers who manage the looms because of the loud and dungy environment. Nevertheless, the designs that were being produced were detailed and impressive, and the video gave me a better visual sense of the operation of Jacquard looms. 

The second video was my favorite, as it was extremely educational, eye-opening, and cultural. The video walked through the traditional Chinese weaving process for Nanjing Yunjin brocade in which two people operate the upper and lower parts of a large, complex loom to create extremely intricate and cultural textile pieces. The operation has a history of over 1500 years and has been used for the Chinese royal family for over 700 years. "Preserved primarily in Jiangsu province in eastern China, the method comprises more than a hundred procedures, including manufacturing looms, drafting patterns, the creation of jacquard cards for programming weaving patterns, dressing the loom and the many stages of weaving itself." It is named for its cloud-like splendor, primarily made of silk and dyed by natural sources; it also commonly incorporates gold and peacock-feather yarns.

The video walked through the design process from the original artistic design to being transferred onto design paper with line drafts, which is then outlined and enlarged. They then handmake their own weaving programs using knots and threads similar to what a computer program would do. The setup of the loom is highly complex, and the wooden loom used is typically 5.6 meters long, 1.4 meters wide, and 4 meters tall. The setup of the threads requires absolute accuracy and precision. When weaving, the top person is in charge of lifting the warp threads while the bottom person is in charge of hand weaving the weft threads of a wide color variety through different sections of the warp threads to create a pattern. Even the most efficient works can only weave 5 cm of fabric a day. Additionally, different processes allow for multiple weave types (plain, twill, or satin) to appear on the same brocade. This traditional Chinese technique has been used to create Dragon robes for emperors, as well as many other prestigious applications. 

I highly recommend the video as it explains all the various processes and their Chinese titles; this summary can't do justice to the intricacy of the operation. I now have a great appreciation for this cultural craft - a craftsmanship passed down through generations in China.

YouTube. (2009). The craftsmanship of Nanjing Yunjin brocade. YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyyQzyvJkgg.

YouTube. (2008). Dashmesh’s Shuttle Loom With Jacquard (www.dashmeshpowerloom.com). YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei5UIX__RGs.