Considering window coverings when building a home
When you are in the throes of building your new home you may feel that window coverings are the least of your concerns. Actually the opposite is true. It is extremely important that you consider factors of your window coverings while building your home in order to be happy with them later on. Failure to take into account the needs of your window coverings can result in costly errors being made and time being wasted while mistakes are corrected.
Here is the information you need to know when considering window coverings when building a home:
- Window Depths-Experts recommend that window depths should be at least 2-1/2 inches. This is especially true when decorative casing surrounds the window. Homeowners tend to prefer to mount treatments like shutters and plantation size (2") wooden blinds within the window frame. Keep in mind that double and triple windows encased in one window opening usually have vertical trim strips between the windows. It is crucial to not forget to include these strips when measuring the depth. Some designers feel that consideration should be made of minimizing or even eliminating them, since they are usually just decorative and take up valuable space but this is purely a personal preference. In addition there are other areas for window depth that should be taken into account. While sliding doors are less popular these days; however, the door's handle size should be considered when measuring the depth. Vertical window coverings usually require a 4" depth plus room for the handles.
- Window Styles-Homeowners who are building their homes need to keep in mind that styles such as circular, arched, eyebrow arched, and angled are aesthetically appealing, but restrict the choices of window treatments. Generally manufacturers have only a few blind and shade products which accommodate these windows. This can be especially true for eyebrow and 1/4 arches. Shutters are usually the only choice for treatments mounted inside these kinds of windows. Homeowners are generally reluctant to permanently cover the arched portion of an arched window, and there are few treatments which can be opened. It is important to plan ahead and use care when incorporating these fashionable but difficult to treat windows. There are other styles that present inherent problems such as crank style windows which prevent treatments from lowering completely and in a set of bow windows without sheetrock separating each window, there is usually a privacy problem because of the gap between each blind or shade. The use of a full traversing drapery will alleviate this problem, but a long drapery is probably inappropriate in, for example, a breakfast room or kitchen. As a final note on any style of window the number of glass panes across any window should be an even number when you are using shutters, so that the center of the shutter lines up with a line in the window.
- Window Placement-This factor is as critical as any other when considering the overall design of your house. Keep in mind that relation of your window to other parts of your house. For example-Chair rails and base boards should not be wrapped around into the window openings. This prevents the raising and lowering of shades and blinds. Chair rails and trim from an adjoining perpendicular wall can sometime butt up against the window or its casing. This will restrict the proper placement of a drapery, and does not allow the drapery to stack back sufficiently. It is best when an equal amount of wall space is provided on both sides of a window. Center the windows on the wall whenever possible. It is important to make sure there is enough space between the top of the window and the ceiling or crown molding. A minimum of 2" will be required for bracket placement. Wood headers should extend up to the ceiling or crown molding if the window treatment is being installed that high. Heavy treatments are best mounted into wood, instead of just the sheetrock. If there is not a stud where you need one, consider using molly or toggle bolts. In addition access to all windows is necessary, even those in unfinished attics. Windows over tubs can be difficult to reach without stepping into the tub.
- Other Considerations-There is other needs you should take into consideration when building your home. Treatments with motorized operation require special wiring and strategic placement of wall plugs. Windows that are in the same room should be of the same style. The bottom of windows along stairways should be high enough to allow for draperies to hang at an equal length on both sides of the window. Built-in wooden cornices should be sufficiently long and deep to handle the window treatment you will want to use. Keep in mind that fire sensors, motion detectors and alarm contacts are sometimes in the way of rod placement.
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