Getting net curtains, what should I know?

LameWolf

I have to admit, I detest nets; Mr LW had them at the bedroom and spare room windows when I first moved in with him, and they had to go. I literally couldn't see out of the windows, to me it was like peering through fog. We don't get a lot of passers-by though, being at the far end of a cul-de-sac. I did keep the expanding pole thingies though - for hanging up some of my window decorations.

Slinky

We have nets, the ones which are scalloped so they are higher in the middle than at the edges, but we have a fairly long front garden, so somebody would have to be incredibly nosy to walk up and peer in the windows. This means we can see out when sitting down but we still have privacy.


Our neighbours opposite don't have nets. Their lounge is at the front, with the dining room behind, and they have patio doors at the back letting light in. They don't know it, but from our bedroom we can see them sitting at their table eating breakfast. We're not being nosy, but because of the patio doors, they don't have the privacy they probably think they have. I'm very aware of this and make sure that our en-suite door is closed when wandering around in the bedroom so that they can't see us through the nets!

boliston

I think different people have differing privacy expectations - on the ground floor of my block there is a polish family who normally leave their blinds open in the evening so anyone on the fairly busy pavement can see the whole of their living room.

dekaspace

Well for me I have a large tv in full view of passers by in my living room as well as my pc and its a rough estate (and upstairs neighbours are well known junkies/alcoholics who are barred from town centre shops) So ideally I don't want people like that seeing what I own.

JIL

I also have voiles so much easier than nets and a lot better.
I have curtains with eyelets, shop bought and buy the voiles with the same length. I use a curtain pole for the curtains. I then use curtain wire with hooks, I have a couple of masonry nails banged into the wall under the curtains. The wire can then be attached to the nails.
Two voiles can then be matched with the curtains and actually look good and keeps a bit of privacy.

maman

To me there's a big difference between old fashioned fussy patterned nets and voiles.

My only 'exposed' windows are in my dining room and we have 'wooden' venetian blinds as DH doesn't like dog walkers or joggers watching him eat!

If you don't want blinds I'd go for completely plain nets. I've noticed they have them in hotel bedrooms for privacy. As others have said, make sure they're at least double the width of the windows. Unlike ordinary curtains they are usually flush to the window and fall to the window sill. Many can be just cut to size and don't need hemming.

[Deleted User]

I'm not sure why people are so against nets? We have nets and they do a much better job than blinds in allowing you to see outside and also have privacy inside.
They are cheap and easy to fit and don't have to look like grandmas. We have them on our house and they look modern and clean. A lot of our neighbours have those vertical blinds that do not give you much privacy unless you have them closed in which case you may as well brick your windows up.
Measure your windows and pop down to dunhelm mill and they will cut them to size.

dekaspace

Decided I will take the risk, Just one final question, is it better to get a single large net for windows or 2 smaller ones so I can part them in middle to get some light.

Livelongandprosper

Light comes through net, no need to part them so it's 2 and a half times width of window. You can get away with double the width but more is better for privacy

greenbee

I'd say get two. I have muslin curtains in my bedroom and bathroom that I use for privacy, but at times when i don't need them I pull them back to let more light in. I also pull them back when the windows are open, otherwise they end up halfway out the window.