A Word About Window Treatments

We receive a number of questions regarding window treatments and we have seen quite a few errors in the selection and installation of them as well. It's a complicated subject and we completely understand the confusion. Because of this, many homeowners run to the nearest drapery shop and buy whatever they are told they "need". The question is this - how can anyone possibly know what you need while standing in a shop or department store and not in your home where the windows are? We've seen people spend thousands on shades then balk at the idea of adding curtains to their unfinished windows. "I spent so much on these shades. Surely I don't need more!" We've seen layers upon layers of heavy sheers, linings, and panels installed on windows that barely get sunlight anyway. "What do you mean my room is dark? I had these custom made!" We've also seen panels hung too high, too low, too narrow and too wide. Perhaps the most aggravating is the 4" thick stack of slats sitting on a window sill. It really is easy to trim the bottom of blinds and get rid of the excess!

This isn't just a matter of right/wrong or personal style. Nothing ages a house quite as much as window treatments. They can also suck the light out of a room and make the structure feel poorly constructed if they are installed incorrectly. While this is a complicated subject that requires more than we can fit in a blog, here are a few pointers regarding selecting and installing window treatments:

Draperies can be such a huge investment and it's hard to think that it might be time to take them down. However, if you've had them for more than 7 years they are most likely dating your home. This is especially true if they have an obvious color or pattern to them. So, the fabric that was all the trend when you bought them years ago may be the very thing that makes your home look like it needs a remodel. We recommend going neutral if you are investing in custom treatments. You'll get so many years out of them if you do. If you are planning to buy ready-made treatments, feel free to go with a trendy pattern but be prepared to change them every three to five years. If you have very formal or traditional decor, you may be able to get more years out of a pattern but be sure to pick classic colors. For example, navy/white patterns will last longer than turquoise/white.

Heavy, layered draperies are rarely necessary! These were once regarded for their function as much as their form in the days of single pane, drafty windows. Homes are now constructed with energy efficient windows and many older homes have had their drafty windows replaced. Many of these newer windows also have UV coatings to protect flooring and furnishings from damaging rays. If you are considering investing in heavy draperies because of problem windows, we encourage you to look into replacing the window or adding a UV film instead. It's a much better investment.

Daylight is a good thing! While it is important to be able to control light levels with window treatments, simply blocking out all light is only appropriate in media rooms and bedrooms. Even so, it should be easy to open up and let the light in when darkness is not required. A client recently scoffed at the idea of adding curtain panels to her windows. She had invested in custom Roman shades and thought she had done enough. The problem is that the shades were installed inside the frame less, rather small windows. This is very effective for controlling light, but she was missing out on a great opportunity to add style and drama to her master bedroom. You CAN combine shades, blinds and shutters with curtain panels! Adding long panels to either side of the window, hung from a decorative rod, not only expands the width of the window but the height of the room. You may never pull the panels shut, but their function in adding drama, color, and height should not be undervalued.

Finally, a word or two on installation:

There was a time when "pooling" fabric on the floor was all the rage. Window specialists loved this because it meant they didn't have to be too careful with exact measurements. Truth be told, there are very few cases where this effect looks anything other than sloppy. If you are installing your own treatments, be sure to measure carefully. Hang your panels on the rod and with rings, if you are using them, to take your measurements. Add 1/2" to the total height of your treatment and, measuring up from the floor, mark where you will hang the brackets. Using a long level transfer this mark to the location of all brackets. Have a helper or two hold the whole thing up positioning the brackets on your marks. Stand back and take a look at it. You should allow about 1/2" between the bottom of the fabric and the floor. If everything lines up correctly, go ahead and hang them being sure to screw into studs or wall anchors. If they do not line up correctly, continue making adjustments, moving your marks and checking them before a single screw goes into the wall.

Please take the time to remove the extra slats at the bottom of blinds! To do this, hold up the bottom rail and locate the removable caps. There are usually 3 of them. These caps cover holes that give you access to the cords that operate the blinds. Untie the knots in the cords and gently slide the extra slats and the bottom rail out from the "ladders" that keep the blinds aligned. Reinsert the bottom rail through the ladders so that it rests at or slightly above the window sill. If you have removed too many slats you can add them back at this point. Thread the cords through the holes in each slat and the bottom rail. Trim the cords and tie a knot in the ends. Cut the ladders at the bottom of the rail, leaving enough extra to tuck inside the capped holes. Push the caps back on. If there is slack in the operating string, gently pull on the hanging cords to tighten them. For safety, shorten the hanging cords by either pulling the operating cords and trimming them before you tie them off in the bottom rail or by untying the knots inside the weights, trimming them and retying them. This little step makes a huge difference in the appearance of your blinds.

Remember that window treatment installation can be tricky. Specialists go through training to learn how to accurately measure and install them. There are certifications for window treatment specialists with memberships, conferences, and continuing education. This doesn't mean it is impossible to hang your own treatments but it does mean that you must measure, measure again, and remeasure before drilling. If you take your time and enlist some help from a willing assistant, you can install your own treatments correctly.