Window Treatments Applications added to window units either for helping control the home environment or for purely decorative purposes.

Window Treatments

Applications added to window units either for helping control the home environment

or for purely decorative purposes.

Choosing Window Treatments

Consider the need to control sunlight and noise Window treatments can block all or part of the

light from entering To provide ventilation, privacy, and insulation

for rooms To create or enhance the feeling or mood of

the room Consider the initial cost of purchasing the

treatments and the cost of maintaining them

Types of Window Treatments

Window treatments include draperies, curtains, shades, shutters, blinds, and decorative top treatments.

The right window treatments can enhance the appearance of a room.

Certain window treatments can camouflage windows that are not in proportion to the rest of the room.

Draperies

Draperies are pleated panels of fabric that cover windows completely or are pulled to the side.

They can be opaque (block light) or translucent (permit the passage of light).

Types of Draperies

Lined or unlined

Lining blocks sunlight from entering room, helps draperies hang better, and increases their ability to insulate

Draw: open and close from the center or side

Stationary: cannot be open or closed

Curtains

Curtains are flat panels that hang to the left and right of the window and may be closed to cover the window. They usually have a

pocket hem at the top which is slipped onto a curtain rod and gathered to desired fullness.

They can also hang from the rod with decorative hardware or tabs.

Tiebacks may be used to pull the curtains back.

Café Curtains

Café curtains are horizontal panels hung in tiers to cover part of a window.

The top of each panel is joined to rings that slip over a curtain rod.

They are opened by pushing them to the sides.

Shades: block unwanted light

Roller shades: used in informal rooms, roll onto a roller

Roman shades: constructed of fabric which fold into horizontal pleats when raised

More shades

Balloon shades: constructed of fabric and take a balloon shape when raised

Pleated shades: constructed of synthetic materials and available in accordion or honeycomb styles

Shutters

Shutters are vertical units that are hinged together to open or close. Can be constructed or wood or synthetic

materials. Built into the frame are moveable horizontal

slats or louvers. The width of the louvers may vary from 1 ½ to

4 ½ inches. Narrow are called traditional shutters, wider are called plantation shutters.

Can be used in formal and informal settings.

Shutters

Blinds

Made of slats that can be tilted, raised and lowered, or moved to the side

Can be made of wood, metal, plastic, or fabric Can be custom made to fit windows with unusual

shapes or placements

Types of Blinds Horizontal blinds: also

called Venetian blinds, can be raised completely Used in informal settings

Miniblinds: horizontal blinds with narrow slats Used in informal settings

Vertical blinds: slats that move to one side to leave a window uncovered Used in contemporary

design

Decorative Window-top Treatments

Can be combined with draperies, curtains, shades, shutters, or blinds to add interest to the window installation.

May use either matching or complementary fabrics and designs to add interest to the treatment.

Trims of decorative braid, tassels, and cording may be used to add a custom touch.

Types of Decorative Window-top Treatments Swag: has softly pleated

fabric hanging in a curve across the top of a window

Valence: a horizontal treatment across the top of a window. Can be used to hide the drapery or curtain hardware

Cornice: a horizontal treatment that is usually constructed of wood. It is usually padded and covered with fabric.