10 Things to Look For in Curtain Or Drapery Hardware Solutions

10. Make Sure Your Track Has An Overlap/Underlap:

The basic function of a finished curtain is its ability to either filter or block out light coming from the outside environment. The overlap and underlap are specialized L-shaped components used by two way curtains to be able to meet one with the other in the middle and make for a perfect close, preventing light filtration. It accomplishes this by having one piece overlap over the other, the underlap.

9. Operating Mechanism
Curtains can be operated via Cord, a Wand/Hand Drawn or by a Motorized solution. All three can have their possible faults, if coming from a low quality manufacturer. While corded solutions are often seen as troublesome as the cord becomes entangled and hard to use, this is not the case in high quality corded solution. The general consensus seems to be that if it is cheap, a hand or wand drawn solution is probably safer. The other point to take in mind is child safety, as low-hanging corded drapery solutions are dangerous to young children who can become entangled and hang themselves. To resolve this, simply make sure there is a solution to maintain the cord out of a child's reach.

Wand or Hand Drawn systems are popular, safe and practical, but if the quality of the track is not ensured rusting and warping will make it progressively harder to operate as time goes by. It is important to note the height of the wand when evaluating curtain Wand-drawn track as you must be able to reach the wand comfortably.

Lastly, the majority of motorized systems work well and are complex on their own right, thus out of the scope of this article, but if you intend to buy one make sure you are capable of installing it, be completely informed of the warranty, check for the availability of parts locally and make sure someone has experience with the motorized system in case help is needed.

8. Bendable:
Not all windows are straight surfaces, and as such quality drapery hardware is flexible enough to be machine bent to the shape of your window. Be aware that most track does not have allow for this option.

7. Decorative Options: 
Quality drapery hardware has many design friendly options that separate it from the rest. For those who do not have a drywall valance or traditional valance and choose a pleated heading with no built-in fabric valance, you will most certainly have exposed aluminum or plastic track.

Various quality track companies offer colors and finishes to match your fabric choice, giving a uniform finish. Some hardware systems even offer the option of an elegantly shaped track that acts a modern valance which in turn does not require it to be hidden. As explained above, look at your curtain or drapery design and find out whether your curtain will need a valance. If it does, and your track is not decorative, you will be faced with the necessity to cover the track in another manner.

6. Track Weight: 
Check your curtain track for its limitations (based on weight per foot or meter) as curtains lined with many layers, curtains backed with blackout, or simply heavy draper can be outside the recommended weight range of lower quality curtain track.

5. Ease of Install 
For folks in rentals or simply folks who want to lifetime use of their track and buy quality must look at some ease of use considerations in case you move and need to refit it to another window. Is the track easy to cut or does it require a shop cut? Are the components easy to identify and reusable? Can I get more pieces or do I have to buy it as a set?

Modular curtain hardware is a worthy investment due to their ability to be used again and again.

4. Rust Proof: 
Those in tropical climates or overly humid coastal environments must take the factor or rusting in consideration as this can quickly reduce a curtain inoperable. As such, rust proof aluminum and plastics are the recommended materials to be used in your drapery hardware. Note, that this applies to all the pieces in the curtain hardware, as if there is one metal piece, the entire system could become inoperable

3. Hanging Options: 
Curtain and Drapery track can be hung from the wall, or from the ceiling for full sized windows. It is often the case that many hardware systems have the option of supplying projection L-brackets to install on a wall that has obstacles that need to be cleared below. Before buying any hardware solution, go over your windows and make sure these pieces are included in your solution.

2. Component Quantity / Options: 
Does your hardware package or solution have enough carriers to hook in your chosen curtain heading? A curtain with 120 hooks and only 100 carriers has a problem. The track might be sturdy enough to hold your curtains, but are there enough brackets to do the same? Does the hardware provider sell loose pieces separately from the hardware package? Answering these questions can save headaches later when the curtain is to be installed.

1. Lubrication 
All things on this earth degrade and curtain track is no different; track warps as it is beaten upon by the heat and sun, and some track is susceptible to rust. Quality curtain track keeps the aging process of your track by offering one of two solutions: A bottled dry silicone spray product that must be applied in intervals, or a more permanent dry lubricant solution similar to the Teflon used in your pots and pans.

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