Know Important Facts about Drapery Hardware before You Buy

Draperies are incomplete without the appropriate hardware. Even in its very finest form, draperies can look very drab and boring unless accompanied with the finest hardware. Optimal impact of drapery comes with the most sensible choices of the hardware. To achieve the best look for your homes, the selection of the right drapery hardware is as essential as choosing the right school for your children.

Hardware Materials

After you have chosen your fabric, start purchasing the hardware. The choice of drapery hardware largely depends on the type of drapes and curtains that you have in your home You can select from a variety of essential hardware listed below to make your drapery look the best:-

• Finials
• Curtains
• Brackets
• Tiebacks
• Drapery Pins
• Rings, that are with or without pins

The most popular material for such hardware is metal and wood. Available in a range of finishes and colour, these can be paired off with interesting finials; from a range of materials and designs. Metal hardware is available in a variety of finishes, with each offering a different look. These are made of cast iron, wrought iron, chrome, aluminium, brass and bronze. Wooden hardware is also available in different finishes starting from dark espresso to natural blond. Whether shopping for tiebacks, drapery rods, finials and brackets; it is best to choose a material suited to the style of the room and fabric of drapes.

Drapery Rods

These rods in the most basic form are attached to the window moulding top or in the wall between the ceiling and the window moulding. Drapes that are hung closer to the ceiling make a small window look even taller. The style and weight of the draperies will determine the diameter and type of rod one needs to purchase.

• The rods are usually cord connected while the top of the drapery skims the lower edge of the rod. Traverse rods can be used behind decorative rods to hang sheers. This can also work well for heavy drapes.
• Combination rods use one set of brackets to hold two or three rods. This type can be used to create a layered look of drapery panels in varying textures and weights.
• Decorative rods work with almost every kind of drapery and are also available in interchangeable hold backs and finials.
• The other type of rods may include swing-arm for a shutter-style window covering, steel cable rods for modern settings, tension rods to hang light weight panels and cafe rods to hang the mid-window height drapery.

Finials

Finials are used on top of spires or gables. They are also available as finishing toppers for lampshades and stair banisters. These are screwed onto ends of curtain rods as to add a decorative touch. They are also available in wide varieties to match different drapery rods, from traditional to modern. Glass, wood, metal, bamboo, rattan or resin are among the most popular choices of finials.

Drapery Rings

Rings enable smooth movement of drapes along the rod or panel from where they hang. The rings of the drapery can be clipped or sewn, onto the panels of the drapery depending on the look that you are trying to achieve. Ensure the rings that you choose are large enough to accommodate the circumference to the drapery rod with enough room around the rod, for them to just slide along swiftly. Rings can be typically found in wood or metal, while being available in a variety of finishes.

These are some commonly used drapery hardware. While there are other important hardware needs for drapery, it is these four basic requirements require most attention. So make sure you do this right, to create the best of drapery solutions for your home!