German terminology for curtains, drapes

[DanHessen 2,964]

OK, I'm trying to order curtains, drapes, etc online (no I will not buy them at IKEA). I'm not sure if it's the Germans or if this is a worldwide plot to make a topic so confusing that males are essentially shut out of any potential curtain-buying situations. However, I'm single so I have to do it myself. So here goes:

 

What is the difference between Vorhänger and Gardinen? I've asked three different German women who say they don't know. Then how am I supposed to know? Also, what do you call those semi-transparent sort of white curtain thingies that hang in the middle of the window? Is there a common term for these in English? German? I seem to find French terms for this but when I google that specific word, I end up with all manner of different products. I've seen some English language websites that call them window panels. Is that the standard word? In German?

 

Help!

[leky 173]

Well all I know is that Gardinen are net/lace curtains, have a look at this site for various different styles etc, you can also buy curtains at kaufhof (at least in Heidelberg) but I haven't ever seen any really heavy duty ones around.

[RainyDays 2,453]

Yep, Gardinen are white, more or less transparent (gauze or lace). They used to be mandatory in German houses, but that has slackened. Gardinen that cover only a part of the window are Halbgardinen or Scheibengardinen.

 

Vorhänge are usually made of heavier fabric, coloured or with pattern.

[rhody 3,170]

Dude, if you are single, do you really want some old lady lace curtains on your windows? Get some old playboys or sports illustrated and paste them up on the windows if you need privacy.

[Bipa 5,814]

A single guy I know decided not to bother with curtains at all. Instead he got himself some of that one-way reflecting foil that you can put on your windows. It pretty much blocks people from looking in, but you can look out. He says his place doesn't get as hot in the summer and stays warmer in the winter, and it looks cool. 'Course, it could get a bit expensive if you have lots of windows.

 

Available at most larger baumarkts and online stores, like Neckermann.

 

 

OK... here's a web site with some of the basic names explained, with pics.

 

"Gardinen" is a catch-all phrase simply meaning curtains. "Vorhäng" is typically the inner curtain in colours or patterns to match your room decoration. If someone has roll down shutters, then they don't really need a heavy curtain to block light or for privacy. Thus many Germans only care about how the curtain looks rather than practical functionality.

[bramble 9,602]

 

What is the difference between Vorhänger and Gardinen? I've asked three different German women who say they don't know. Then how am I supposed to know?

There's no difference between Vorhänge and Gardinen. They both mean curtains.

 

 

Also, what do you call those semi-transparent sort of white curtain thingies that hang in the middle of the window? Is there a common term for these in English? German?

In English they are called net curtains, in German they are called Stores.

 

But Stores (net curtains) are considered a bit frumpy nowadays by young people. My son has put up Jalousies (window blinds) in his flat. My daughter prefers Raffrollos. Neither likes Übergardinen.

[Moondancer 5,723]

Ya know, instead of ordering this stuff online, get yourself over to Karstadt on the Zeil. They have a large section where you can look at materials, order your stuff made to fit your windows, etc. They have a really good selection of all kinds of curtains, drapes, sheers, and so on. This is not something I would think about ordering online, where I can't see the material, feel it to see if I like it, is it see through or not, are they really black-out curtains, do I really want that kind of lace, and well, that sort of thing.

[doradora 13]

Bumping this topic:

My new apartment has these long, linear grooves in the ceiling where the curtains should go. I have never seen these in the US before. What kind of curtains should be used with these (i.e., "Schlaufen," "Krauselband," or either?) and what kind of fixtures do I use to hang the curtains with that groove in the ceiling? And what is the name for those fixtures?

 

Also, there are two linear grooves parallel to each other. Does one curtain go on each of these grooves, or are there two so that transparent and opaque curtains can be used together?

[BetzeAmi 219]

 

Bumping this topic: My new apartment has these long, linear grooves in the ceiling where the curtains should go. I have never seen these in the US before. What kind of curtains should be used with these (i.e., "Schlaufen," "Krauselband," or either?) and what kind of fixtures do I use to hang the curtains with that groove in the ceiling? And what is the name for those fixtures?Also, there are two linear grooves parallel to each other. Does one curtain go on each of these grooves, or are there two so that transparent and opaque curtains can be used together?

 

The tracks mounted in the ceiling are called "Gardinenschienen" and you use Innenlaufröllchen to attach the curtains to them. Yes, you could use the two tracks for transparent and opaque curtains if you want to. There should be small plastic retainer devices installed at one end of the groove which can be removed to allow you to feed in the wheeled ends of the Innenlaufröllchen.

[westvan 9,706]

Exactly. And when you buy curtains you would normally buy the ones with the Kräuselband. HOWEVER, there is this brilliant invention called a Schlaufengleiter that lets you use the curtains with Schlaufen in a normal curtain track. Gives you much more choice. I used them for our bathroom window and it looks great.

[Quato 106]

Let me put it this way: In my German mind "Gardinen" are always more or less semi-transparent, "Vorhänge" are always non-transparent, because that's what they are for.

[kato 3,560]

The short version is that Vorhang is the South (High) German word, Gardine the North (Low) German, to be precise a loanword from Dutch. The item either word references is regionally different.

[Flavia 225]

Westvan, thanks so much. I need new curtains, and you've just given me about 1000% more choice than I thought I had. Off to order that gadget immediately!

[westvan 9,706]

You're welcome! I hadn't even heard of them until a couple of months ago.