FULL FRAME: Installer

How to Avoid Potential Problems With Drapery Hardware

BY ROGER MAGALHAES

■ Shipping Damages: Because the boxes are long, shipping companies can easily damage one of the ends of the box and, consequently, the contents inside. ■ Hard to Navigate: As if avoiding damaging furniture and walls while bringing boxes and tools inside any home isn’t enough, trying to navigate a 10-foot-long piece of hardware is almost impossible and, consequently, a phone call away to your insurance company. ■ Elevator or Stairs: In most buildings, designers and sales consultants walk into their sales calls through the front door. They rarely think of the hassle installers must go through at the building’s loading dock. In many cases, long boxes won’t fit into the service elevators. This is especially true in older buildings when the boxes must be brought up through the stairwells. And I can guarantee at the end of that trek your installer may not be as happy to see you. ■ Inside Car or on the Roof: If you drive a small vehicle, chances are that the box with the rod will need to be tied to your car’s roof rack. Besides the fact that this situation does not demonstrate your professionalism, the potential of damaging a rod during transportation is significant. And this could become an even bigger issue if it’s raining on the day of installation.

So, the best way to avoid the above issues is to split the length of the necessary hardware. This splicing may present different issues. For instance, if your panels must traverse over splices, there is a good chance that the drapery (master carrier) will either get caught or stuck, or in the best-case scenario, the drapery will only bump when the two sections cross the seam.

It’s a good idea to assess each job and weigh the pros and cons of having a single hardware piece or two pieces.

Soft treatments are a type of window covering that few professionals are comfortable with handling. Between selecting the right fabric, designing the correct treatment and having a reliable installer, there are many possible problems to be encountered.

And, when it comes to soft treatments, one area where I see designers and installers struggle the most is drapery hardware. This is especially true if the team is relatively new to working with drapery. Here are some suggestions to assist you in avoiding difficult situations.

When Is Too Long, Too Long?

I often hear designers say they don’t want to see a seam on the rod. And, for this reason, they like to order one piece of hardware. And, although I agree that seams may be unpleasant to the eye, it is even worse to have two sections that aren’t even or poorly connected. Some of these problems may come from ordering only a single rod—especially if it is over 8 feet.

How Many Brackets?

It’s very important for professionals to watch their bottom lines, especially when the cost of ordering custom hardware may quickly add up. However, some installations may require an extra bracket to evenly distribute the weight of the drapery. It’s always a good idea to have a few extra rings and brackets on hand for every project installation. It’s likely the costs of ordering extra parts will come with great savings when having the necessary parts on hand to avoid having to charge the customer a second installation fee for you to return with the correct piece. Ordering these extra parts also allows you to build extra inventory so you’re prepared when the order from the supplier is short a product or two.

Wood or Metal?

This decision is most likely going to be made between the designer and the homeowner. Wood and metal offer different features and aesthetics, which are likely to influence the decision of what material is selected.

Wooden rods are usually thicker than metal and can create a nice design statement in a room. These brackets are heftier and may not be ideal for a small space that sits between the crown molding and the top of the window. Also, because wooden rings are thick, they create a larger stackback for the panels.

Metal rods are skinnier and are more complementary to modern design. Because they are heavier in weight, metal rods create additional concern for installers. Usually, the rod’s center support brackets are horizontal and are ideal for tight wall spaces between the window trim and crown molding. Because metal rods rods are thinner, they require less space when dropping the rod into the brackets and may be installed closer to the ceiling. Wall or Ceiling?

This is another decision that’s likely to be made between the designer and the homeowner; however, as the installer, there are a few items to keep in mind.

Ceiling mount rods and tracks don’t have any play area in order to adjust the length of the finished drapes. This becomes even more evident when the ceiling-to-floor dimensions vary considerably throughout the span.

Also, with ceiling-mount installations, installers should use toggle bolts (also known as wings) because the drapery’s weight can easily pull standard wall plugs off the ceiling. Thus, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Wall-mount installation requires a good understanding of brackets to determine their placement on the wall, because you want the drapery to exactly fall on the desired spot instead of having to continue to fix the placement of the brackets until you get them in the correct spot. Using wall brackets allows for the drapery rod to be raised and a shim to be placed, if it is necessary to make small adjustments to the installation. Final Considerations

When doing installations for projects with specially shaped elements including arched or raked windows and/or curved walls, metal hardware is better and may be shaped as desired. Metal brackets may also offer projection adjustments, which may be very helpful. For other projects, the wooden hardware may be too ostentatious and not provide the desired outcome for specific projects.

Regardless of the designer’s final selections, installers must be familiar with all types of drapery materials and installation techniques. It’s also a good idea to keep a wood and metal touch-up kit with you to disguise any light scratches, as well as an assortment of fasteners to ensure you can safely and securely install the necessary hardware. It’s important for installers to remember that the best installers are always prepared for the unknown and unexpected. V

Roger Magalhaes is the founder of Trading Up Consulting, which provides installation training for window fashion professionals. Magalhaes has over 15 years of experience as a professional window treatment installer in the Boston area. He is also the installation instructor for the Window Fashion Certified Professional FastTrack program and is the president of Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA). » TradingUpConsulting.com