Is this summer heat bothering you and your furniture? Is your electric bill skyrocketing through the roof? It’s that time of the year to seriously think about getting the proper window treatments to keep out the harmful sun and heat.
The proper window treatments, whether it’s soft or hard, should address the primary issues of privacy and unwanted sunlight. Soft window treatments are those that are made of fabric. Hard window treatments include shutters, blinds, and shades.
If you have a bedroom window that is next to a neighbor’s house and looks directly into their window, then you would probably want to do a functional window treatment which will allow you to open during the day for some natural light, or close for privacy. The same goes for a window that gets direct sunlight in the morning or late afternoon, which could fade your beautiful furniture or expensive wood flooring, and increase your electric bill during the hot summer days. A functional window treatment with blackout lining is also a necessity for a media room with a projection screen, or for someone who has trouble sleeping with any light shining through in the morning. And if you have a child who needs to go to bed before 9pm during the summer, then blackout lining is a great solution.
But for the window that does not have a privacy or sunlight issue, you have more flexibility in choosing the type of window treatment to fit your décor. You could choose to do a stationary or decorative soft window treatment such as curtain panels or a simple valance. This is enough to add color and warmth to your window, while keeping your cost down.
And whether you choose to go with a functional or stationary window treatment, it is highly recommended to get the proper hardware. This is not where you want to skimp on the cost, especially if you have functional curtain panels. Those cheap extension rods do not work well with functional curtain panels because the place where the 2 rods come together will catch the ring, and will only cause frustration for you. Get the custom-sized rods, which come in lengths as long as 16 feet. Also something to think about when it comes to custom hardware is the proper size of the hardware. If you have a window that’s 9-ft or lower, then it’s okay to go with a rod that is 2” in diameter or less. But if you have a window that is 10-ft or higher, it’s highly recommended to go with a rod that is 2-1/4” in diameter, up to 3” in diameter.
When it comes to window treatments, there are many options when it comes to fabric selection, style selection, and hardware selection. If the process of selecting the proper window treatment is over-whelming you, then call a professional who can help you get it right the first time, and possibly save you money in the end. A great professional should be able to narrow down the choices for you and make the process less painful.
Call Michele at Lakeway Interior Fabrics to help you with your window treatment selections. My showroom number is (512)263-7343, and my mobile number is (512)608-2796. Check out some of my previous projects at www.LakewayInteriorFabrics.com, click on Gallery, and then the individual categories.
