DRAPERY FAQ’s
What’s the most important question you should ask yourself?
Is the fabric suitable for the purpose I intent to us it? Take the fabric in your hand see if it folds, does it stay folded, does it have the right transparency, and let common sense prevail not color , weave or your desire determine your decision. The right fabric will determine 50% of outcome the other 50% is your workroom. A knowledgeable workrooms knows the correct stitching methods to use for the intended application and fabric selected. Choosing a drapery vender that provides measuring, fabrication, and installation will eliminate most of the unknowns.
Why do we line drapery?
Draperies are lined to give more body and a rounder fuller look; this also makes the face of the fabric more consistent in appearance when the light penetrates it, also blackout lined if required. Interlining is used for extra body more typically used in residential applications; interlining also has acoustical and insulating qualities.
How do I select a heading style?
Selecting an architectural heading or traditional look depends on your design, what is not thought of is the stack back. Draperies stack into 25% of the opening to 12% based on the pleating system. Some heading systems can be modified to change the stack ratio. On commercial jobs you should specify the overlap past the window to minimize the drapery on the window.
Flame proofing
All states have there codes, this can be the biggest nemesis to a drapery job. Flame proofing changes the composition and hand of the fabric. All fame proofing should be done by the supplier of the fabric, if they do not offer that service think twice, they know that it’s a headache. Always send a sample of the fabric to the manufactures recommended source to get a sample so you see the end product. If they do not have a supplier selects another fabric. FR linings and interlinings are not a problem for fabrication. This is also a rule for selecting fabric for stretch fabric acoustical wall systems.
Recessing Draperies
Architectural heading and traditional heading need 5 inches front to back if they are installed in a drapery pocket. The area of conflict is not the top but the bottom; curtains have a tendency to flair and can interfere especially if recessed in a side pocket. Contact your workroom for guidance.
Hardware systems
Once you have selected a fabric and lining if required, you should estimate the weight of the curtain before selecting a hardware system. All track system manufactures have a weight load charts for there tracks outlining how much weight they can carry over x amount of feet for one way and center draw operation, for manual as well as motorized track systems.
|
