Window Glossary

Decorating Tips

Glossary of Window Covering Terms

Confused about all the choices and terminology? Here is a list of many of the terms used to describe window coverings:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Arched Valence: A valance with an arch along the lower edge. It should be a gentle arch which curves evenly when gathered.
Austrian Shade: A fabric shade with soft draping scallops which run the length of the shade. They move up and down by a series of cords threaded through rings.
Awning Windows: Windows which are hinged on top and swing outward to open. They are usually rectangular, and wider than they are long.
Balloon Shades: Fabric shades with deep inverted pleats that fall into airy, rounded poufs at the bottom.	Austrian Shade
Bay Window: A window forming a recess in a room and extending outward from the wall.
Bishop's Sleeve Curtains: Extra long straight panels of fabric which are cinched in the middle and poufed. They can also be attached with swag holders.
Box Pleats: Deep, inverted, tailored pleats which are flat on the right side of the drapery to create a classical boxy look.
Brighton Shades: Similar to balloon shades, but without the pleats, rings, and cords along the sides. This allows the sides to fall in relaxed tails. The center section is usually wider than the sides.	Bishop's Sleeve Curtains
Butterfly Pleats: A pleat with two, rather than three, folds to distinguish it from the basic pinch pleat.
Cafe Curtains: Basic curtains covering only the bottom half of a window. Usually suspended from a narrow rod with rings or tabs.
Cascades: Side panels, usually pleated, which flank swags. They can be long or short.
Cornices: Made of painted or stained wood, or a fabric covered foam fascia. The bottom can be straight or shaped. They are installed above a window to conceal the hardware much like a valance.
Draw Draperies: Draperies which hang from a traverse rod and can be drawn to open or close into the center or to one side.	Cascades
Envelope Shades: Casual curtains attached to a mounting board and hung as a pair of flat panels. The bottom inside corners are pulled out and hooked onto the wall.
Fan Shades: Arcs of fabric pulled together in the center by cords and rings fastened to the back of the shades. The arc, or fan, faces down. When lowered, the shade becomes a flat panel.
Fan Curtains: The same as the fan shade, but used on half circle windows with the fan facing up. A curved curtain rod is required to install fan curtains.
Festoon: see Swag.
French Door: A door with with rectangular panes of glass extending the full length. Usually hung with a pair of doors in one frame.
Jabots: Pieces of fabric, long or short, which drape down on either side of a swag or valance. Many times they are pleated and tapered into a point.
Kick Pleated Valances: Constructed like box pleats, but the pleats are spaced further apart.
Lambrequins: Eleborate cornices, usually made of wood, which extend all or part of the way down the sides of the window. They are often padded and upholstered.	Jabots