Blinds v. Curtains

Speak to Robin about this aesthetic look. www.theruffledwindow.com 201.439.9799

Blinds !!

Both. Window then blinds then curtain.

east108,

I was quoted around $3000 for draperies (ripple fold, ceiling tracks included but not labor) through the Shade Store. They have nice products but the prices for two sets of windows were too expensive for my budget.

One set of windows is the same size as yours, around 144 in. but my challenge is I have to do ceiling mounted tracks because my windows have metal frame all the way up to the ceiling and one side of the wall for these windows. Hence, I was looking at the ripplefold draperies at the Shade Store. As I said, their materials seem really nice.

However, for my smaller Bedroom window set (2 vertical glass panels) of around 72-78" which had some space on the sides for drapery brackets, I got some blackout curtains which feel like velvet (though made of polyester). Two ready made 50" panels 108" Length each for a little over $200 through www.halfpricedrapes.com. I also bought beautiful gold tassles to go with my hunter green velvet blackout curtains and chrome curtain rod through the same co. It all came to $380 or a little less than that, labor included. (I am not handy so had to get someone to install the curtain rod, 2 brackets, put in rings -included with curtain rod- and hooks on the curtain panels from the back tabs.)

I have to say the finished look is casual yet elegant (with tassles on). I love the look and the price, unbeatable unless you buy at IKEA (which cannot provide this particular look and length I got). http://www.halfpricedrapes.com/signature-hunter-green-blackout-velvet-curtains.html

Of course, your larger size (width) would entail custom made (and pricier) draperies which you can get done through this company for certain fabrics. Just note some of the materials look better than others. Additionally, I would recommend the blinds so you can have window coverage and privacy without being obstructed by the PTAC unit. Cost-wise, just going with the blinds would be cheaper than both. In terms of looks, the draperies look fantastic. The blind going down to the top of the unit will be the sure way to go, if you have to choose blinds or curtains and not both.

Or you can have shorter length curtains that stop near the top of your PTAC unit, but I think ceiling to floor draperies are so much better looking!!!

Blind=hinderous/total inconvience
Curtains=muerte

What about vertical v. honeycomb blinds?

Has anyone used motorized? Are they really worth it?

eastcomb,

I have used honeycomb blinds in my LI house for 15 years or so. THey do very well to insulate and for blackout purposes (depending on what you choose). I went with Hunter Douglas (and Bali in a previous home in NJ). I think they handle well with the cords and stand up to the test of time. Also, I love the top down bottom up blinds I installed in our F.I. house. Really did the job nicely, though the blinds did make a lot of banging noise when it was windy outside and the windows were open. Prices were not too bad since I got them through Home Depot.

We have vertical blinds I just replaced with a discount from J C Penney, costing around $1700 for an apt. with large windows in kitchen, LR, and 2 BRs. Floor to ceiling windows for half the apt (1100 sq. ft.) I did not like the old vertical blinds because they would get out of place and there would be light gaps. Also, the old ones clanged quite a bit in the wind, making them loud and a nuisance on a breezy, windy day at the shore. I replaced the old ones with vertical blinds without the chains. I wish I had been brave to change the original look of vertical blinds but I decided to keep the apt's original design as much as possible. I am actually regretting not doing something like ripplefold draperies for this shore apt. since I had not done much draperies research at the time and I did not want the honeycomb blinds I had used in the last 15 years (got tired of them and concerned about the banging in the wind issue).

I would opt for some of the lighter, continuous blinds maybe, if I were to do the NJ shore place over. Maybe something like this from JC Penney (on sale, of course):

http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom/for-the-home/departments/window-treatments/in-home-services/custom-decorating-/resource-center/naples-grommet-top-bamboo-panel/prod.jump?ppId=1a09b3e&catId=cat100260228&N=4294966819&topDim=Item+Type&topDimvalue=vertical+blinds&dimCombo=Item+Type%7C&dimComboVal=vertical+blinds%7C&currentDim=Item+Type&currentDimVal=vertical+blinds

Really depends on your space. Blinds/curtains stand out a lot though, so maybe decide what you would like to do and then see about how to manage the cost. I put in top-down blinds that I got from shade store. Was substanitally cheaper than some other options (hunter douglas) and are pretty nice. Was pretty massive window. Again though, give a lot of thought to the look. Maybe a design site would be better!