Don’t leave windows with nothing to wear

Over the years, there has been a trend toward more simple window dressings. Often this has been due to budget, but also the need for simplicity in our homes. Unfortunately, when new homes are built, the finishing details in dressing windows are often forgotten.

Dressing your windows. It sounds like such a simple little thing. In reality, it’s not always easy. So many of us treat windows as an afterthought when we tackle a decorating project. We get caught up in what to do with the walls, choosing new furnishings and accessories, and deciding what floor covering will work best. Waiting until the last minute to decide what to do with the windows could end in a job that looks like you’ve, well, waited until the last minute to decide what to do with the windows. Windows in any room tend to take up a lot of wall space. How you treat them can make or break any decorating plan.

Considering all the other aspects of building your house — house plans, site meetings, concrete, mud, framing, roofing and so on — who wants to think about fabrics or window dressings? It seems such a long way down the track, but think again. It is in the early stages that some of the decisions should be addressed, especially if you need window treatments of some sort. On the odd occasion where it is virtually impossible to dress a window, it’s better to leave the window bare than do something at the last minute that isn’t going to suit it.

So, why dress windows? There are many reasons: to add privacy; warmth; protection from UV rays, glare and light; or to hide a neighbor’s unsightly shed or house. Choosing the right window treatment should be a necessity in all cases, not an afterthought. Even if you don’t get to choose the actual treatment in person, it needs to be considered. The end result should be thought through before starting or during the early stages of the project.

The same would apply if you were to install powered window coverings, a great convenience and energy saver in a modern home. While you can control them with a hand held remote, they still need power, usually an outlet near the dressed window. The main consideration is pre-wiring. It is a good idea to decide on specific treatments early in the planning stages so that you will know what you might require in terms of pre-wiring.

Pre-wire planning is needed for DC and AC powered operated system also, because wires have to reach the shade from a pre-existing AC source. Pre-wire planning is also needed if you prefer hard-wired wall switches. For these types of controls, wires are required to run from the power source to the point you prefer the wall switches to be, as well as to the top of the window.

Planning ahead of time is an advantage in any endeavor. With many decisions to be made in the construction of a custom home, the fewer you leave to the end the less you will be pulling your hair out in frustration. Do your research and make your decisions early so that you can accommodate every detail of the operating systems and decor you want to be part of your home.

PACIFIC ISLANDS WINDOW TREATMENTS
contact // 261-0044
web // www.piwindowtreatments.com