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Cotton
draperies have been
a longtime favorite of apartment owners and managers
for many years. One primary reason for this popularity
is that cotton represents one of the most durable
fabrics you could ever use for your window coverings.
Cotton draperies offer several
other qualities that should make them a definite
consideration for your rental units. In addition
to the long lasting durability, cotton draperies
also provide excellent insulation. In fact, up to
30% of all conventional heat loss in a room can be
saved through the use of a nice heavy drapery fabric.
By adding a backing to such a fabric, the
insulation value can increase to 50-60%! Conversely horizontal
mini blinds with aluminum slats provide less then
10% insulation value.
Moreover,
cotton draperies provide a rich homespun appearance.
It represents
a relatively inexpensive way to "dress up" your
units in order to command higher rents or
just to add value. Draperies made from this type of material
tend to hang beautifully with smooth even folds across
the entire drapery.
Cotton composition draperies
come in several styles and patterns. For example,
you can purchase ones that have insulated backings
for added privacy and longevity, washable fabrics,
upgraded cotton materials for a more attractive or
luxurious product that will enable you to also command
higher rents, etc.
Unfortunately,
however, most drapery companies only offer a thin
lightweight
version of the original much heavier, thicker, and
longer lasting "American Made" cotton fabric
called Dura-Bol. This excellent fabric has a rich
homespun appearance woven exclusively for hard use
and abuse in apartments. Apartment owners frequently
comment on their appreciation for the long-term durability
of these draperies. In fact, some apartment owners
report using "Dura-Bol" draperies for over
10 years in some of their units.
For those of you that do
want an economy cotton, be sure to ask for a Capri
or Dobby drapery with polyester in it to minimize
shrinkage. Back to Articles |
