Why Choose A Lath & Fascia Curtain System?

In a contemporary home, you will no doubt want curtains to dress your windows, but you may be wondering how you can make them fit in with the more minimal aesthetic. 

For some, exposed curtain rails will work, but in other settings this isn’t quite the look that you’re going for. However, a traditional curtain pelmet, where you have a larger box, for want of a better word, hiding the curtain pole is often overkill in a more contemporary space. 

This makes sense when you look at the origins of curtain pelmets, which first started appearing in interiors during the Renaissance period. 

During this era, pelmets were big and bold, making just as much of a statement as the curtains themselves. While their designs have evolved over the years, they often still take up a reasonable amount of space.

This is where lath and fascia curtain systems come into their own. Think of them like a pared back version of a traditional pelmet and you’ll have a better idea of what these kinds of window dressings look like.

How are lath and fascia curtains different to those concealed by a traditional pelmet?

As we’ve mentioned, lath and fascia curtains are similar to traditional pelmet designs but they are slimmer, which makes them much more suitable for contemporary spaces. 

They can be custom made to match your curtains and are often upholstered in the same fabric that you select for your curtains, ensuring cohesiveness to the design. 

Like larger pelmet systems, they are designed to hide the hardware of the curtain rail so that your window dressing seamlessly blends in with the rest of your interior decor. But their size is the biggest difference.

Lath and fascia systems include a lath that sticks out from the wall and the fascia, which is typically just 5cm tall. This is just large enough to conceal the curtain track underneath but not so large that it begins to take over the window. 

Behind the lath and fascia sits the metal curtain track that allows you to draw and open your curtains with ease. The track is mounted on a board which is fitted behind the fascia, concealing it from view. 

What are the benefits of lath and fascia curtains?

One of the reasons many people choose to have traditional pelmets is to help block out light seepage when the curtains are closed. 

Lath and fascia curtains can offer similar benefits, but note that they’re not as effective as pelmets for light blocking because they’re more slimline, so you may want to consider other options if this is a top priority. 

Another benefit to lath and fascia curtains is that, because they are slimmer, they don’t block any light from entering your space when the curtains are open. 

Lath and fascia systems have a further benefit: they can also help prevent heat escaping from your windows when the curtains are drawn. 

It’s estimated that approximately 30 per cent of a home’s heating energy is lost through its windows, which is why it’s important to consider your window dressing as well as the type of glazing you have installed. 

Fitting the right kind of curtains could therefore help you keep your home warmer in the winter months and cooler in the summer.

What are the options with lath and fascia curtains?

As we design all of the lath and fascia systems to suit each client, you can have one that fits perfectly in your property. Lath and fascia curtain systems often work particularly well in bay windows, for instance. 

A further consideration when ordering your lath and fascia curtains is the depth of the board that sits behind the fascia. By making the board deeper, you will create room for a second curtain track. 

You can use this to hang privacy voiles, which can be especially appealing if your windows are overlooked by a busy road, for instance. 

This approach can also give you a way to incorporate sheer fabrics, which are one of the top curtain design trends of this year, alongside window drapes that will keep the light out more effectively at night. 

Ultimately, lath and fascia curtain systems are very versatile and can be customised for most homes and design schemes. Talk to our team to find out more about our range of bespoke curtains and how we can design a lath and fascia curtain system that is perfect for your interior.