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Guide

Linings

Curtain lining plays an essential role in enhancing the functionality of curtains and can provide many benefits.


A good quality lining can protect your curtains, furniture and flooring from sunlight and UV rays, which can cause fading and damage over time. It can also provide an extra layer of insulation by trapping air between the lining and curtain, keeping the room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, which can help you save on your energy bills. A lining can improve privacy and comfort by blocking out more light and reducing outside noise.

When it comes to choosing a lining, it’s important to keep in mind that some fabrics are recommended to have a lining while others may not need it. Heavier fabrics tend to benefit from a lining as they tend to be more prone to damage and can lose their shape over time without proper support. On the other hand, sheer fabrics can benefit from a separate lining if you want to maintain the transparency of the fabric while still providing some level of privacy.

Benefits and features

Keep it cool

Linings keep the suns rays where they belong, outside.

Keep it warm

Linings make it easier than ever to achieve a 6-star rating on your home.

Keep it dark

You can control the daylight in your home with linings.

Keep it quiet

Noise absorbed by linings creates a peaceful environment.

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Attached Linings

When you choose custom curtains, you have the option of having a lining permanently attached to the back of your curtain fabric. This creates a polished, all-in-one finish that not only looks neat but also enhances the performance of your curtains.

An attached lining adds valuable benefits such as improved thermal insulation, better light control, and increased durability, helping to protect your curtain fabric from fading caused by sunlight. Because the lining is sewn directly to the curtain, it makes installation simple, reduces bulk on the track, and ensures your curtains drape beautifully. This option is ideal if you’re after a streamlined solution that balances style with practicality.

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Back Track Linings

Another option is to install your lining on a separate track, allowing it to operate independently of sheer curtains. This double track setup gives you more flexibility and control over light, temperature and appearance.

Sheer curtains are gorgeous and provide a delicate light filter, as well as daytime privacy, reduced glare and protection of your furniture and flooring. While this is wonderful during warmer months, it isn’t ideal on colder nights. Putting a curtain with thermal properties on the track behind the sheer will provide you with insulation, night-time privacy and dim-out or blockout features.

A double track is particularly useful in bedrooms, media rooms, or large living spaces where you want the freedom to adjust light, privacy, and style to suit the time of day and your lifestyle.

Browse our custom linings range

Imperial Linings are designed to deliver both performance and style for everyday living. Building on the benefits of traditional triple weave linings — such as being fire retardant and machine washable — Imperial takes it a step further with its innovative silicone-coated backing. This not only enhances mould resistance but also allows condensation or water to be wiped away easily, making it more effective at preventing mould growth. The three-layer structure provides thermal insulation, noise reduction, and exceptional light-blocking, creating a more comfortable indoor environment.

The face fabric is crafted from 100% recycled polyester and comes in 5 modern colourways — Pearl, Linen, Ash, Storm and Coal. It comes with a five-year warranty, is water repellent, mould resistant, fire retardant to NZ standards, and machine washable for easy care.

Sunout / triple weave linings are a great choice if you're looking for a dim out option. The soft suede coating helps protect against UV damage and provides good insulation. If you're looking for a machine washable option, a separate Sunout Lining curtain installed on a back track is a great option. These linings come in different colours, making them an ideal choice for matching to the colour of a very light sheer.

Synergy 4-Pass Blockout is a favourite in bedrooms or where you're wanting to create full blockout. The 4-pass blockout is a 4-layer lining with a black layer in the middle to block out light. This lining also provides great structure for draping and stacks nicely. It can be paired with a sheer or curtain fabric and is our most effective lining for insulation and reducing heating costs.

Synergy 1-Pass blockout lining is our most popular choice for living areas. As a thermal lining, it offers good insulation though it does let a little bit of light through, making it ideal for living spaces though less suited to bedrooms where complete darkness is preferred. This lining is lightweight, provides good structure to any drape and features anti-mildew properties.

Ambient is a polycotton, entry-level, and affordable lining. This lining is lightweight and works well behind a really thick fabric or for someone who has double-glazed windows and wants some added privacy. With Ambient, it does pay to be careful about wet/damp areas, as this lining doesn’t have any anti-mildew properties in it.