I need (would like) anyone’s opinion on changing out tab curtains to a gliding panel (sliding panel) which has X number of 17″ vertical cloth panels that slide and stack.
I’m not interested in the smaller vertical blinds, but wonder if the larger 17″ panels are worth the $ and installation over the traditional pinch-pleated drapery.
Thank you!
Carolyn
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Do you like the way they look? Does the style fit the style of the room? Expense aside, you have to look at them for a long time. Do you like them enough to look at them for a long time? Cathy
CATHY: Yes, I agree with your questions. I'm going to a few showrooms to try to get enough information to visualize the product on my walls.
But it's the mechanics and quality of the product that I'm interested in learning more about. Do the larger 17" panels get stuck up on each other when drawn? Questions/Answers that fall along this line of thought.
Sure the retail store will say the product is 100%, blah, blah... but what really holds out is the consumer's opinion with multiple use.
I've read on the web comments like "the open/close mechanism has been perfected" and this makes me nervous in that the product has has it's pitfalls.
I'm unsure if this is the forum to ask such questions, but I thought I'd give it a try.
I looked at some samples at LOWES, and they are cheap in look and feel. I'm going to a Hunter Douglas showroom and do some research there.
Thank you, Carolyn
I wish I could tell you more about the actual mechanics. This is a new product for me also. I tend to do most of my information gathering in the better custom shops. Big Box stores do not have the knowledgeable staff that the smaller custom shops have. If you go into a custom showroom, or 3, you would probably have a better chance of talking to someone who knows a lot more about the system. Go to somewhere that does custom drapery, esp higher end stuff. There is nothing wrong with browsing and the products are sometimes just as well if not better priced there. Cathy
CATHY: I totally agree with your idea of custom shop vs big box. I went today to both LOWES and a custom shop... the custom shop had more info, and more quality choices, plus they will install.
I saw much, and do like the look of larger (4 quantity 26 1/2" panels) for what I'm trying to do... unfortunately the cost for a large sliding door (mine is about 100" wide) is $1,300. OUCH!
I've got to try for something more reasonably priced... if I can find anything similar for a lesser cost. I'm in Orlando, so there's good competition here.
Thank you CAROLYN
I was reading the other messages, and I see they suggested Ikea. That is where I saw the ones I had seen also.
Not to discourage you, but I would like you to continue looking. Keep pricing around at the shops. Just like dress shops, drapery shops come in both fancy boutiques with high prices, and less fancy shops with better prices. They both come with quality stuff, just the markups are different. Keep Pricing Around!
Another thought to keep in mind when thinking about this purchase. Yes, thirteen hundred dollars is a lot of money, just for covering a window. It is a very big window and is a major focal point in your room. It is bigger than the average sofa. How long would you intend to live with a sofa in that room? How long do you intend to look at the window covering? You will look at and open and close (ie USE) that window covering every day, even if you do not actually sit on it like a sofa. It makes as much if not more of an impact on the room as a sofa would. When you compare the materials and work involved in making a sofa, to the drapery, they are often as much work. So thirteen hundred dollars may lot for a good sofa. When choosing drapery for a room, keep in mind that it may cost as much or more than a good sofa.
So keep looking my friend, but keep in mind, you cannot go too cheap and still be happy. Just something to think about...... Cathy
OH, I dearly thank you for your thoughts and advice. This is a condo, and one day I do plan to rent it. But, yes, it's a big window that I must "love" to look at, vs. taking the quick and lesser expensive route.
I'm unsure how long I'm going to live here, maybe 2 more years. But quality is quality. And yes, the window (slider door) is much longer than my 3 cushion couch.... and I just recovered the couch for $800.
Thank you again!
CAROLYN
It is so hard choose and decorate for a place when you are not sure how long you are going to be there. Good luck, and keep us posted! Cathy
I had to pipe in when you mentioned Hunter Douglass. I don't know how their other products are but have been extremely satisfied with their pleated shades that I've had in two of my homes. The honeycomb kind.
I'm interested in what you discover in your search so hope you will share your opinions with us and share what you learn. Mary
MARY: the drapery vendor I spoke with (Orlando) was not very "accommodating" with the "gliding panels" Hunter Douglas product. He knew of the design, but said he had not installed any.
Gliding Panels is what I believe HD calls this design.
I'm unsure if the gliding panels are a new product for HD, or if they aren't that popular ... the reason why I'm talking about it in this forum.
I initially selected this drapery vendor because of how many years he had been in business, what areas he serviced ($ property values), and cities, etc. I initially thought he was a "top dog" vendor.
I decided to investigate a HD product because of the same reasons... quality.
I had first asked about HD product, but the drapery vendor said they'd be expensive, and offered/priced another vendor I had never heard of, and quoted me $1300.
I now wonder how much HD product he does sell.
All in all, this discouraged me. I must find another source. I'm going to talk to my upholstery fabric shops here, and get more info.
CAROLYN
I got my HD window coverings from a friend who is an interior decorator. She moved out of state and we lost track of each other. I needed to replace a part (due to our own mishap) after she'd moved. They didn't want to help me because they only delt in wholesale. When I explained my perdicament, they were very pleasant and were able to help me.
Most dealers will avoid talking about a product they don't care for rather than admit to a problem because it could be detrimental to their vendor and they could be sued. If it's a new product, the person was being honest in saying they hadn't installed them yet, so that could be a positive reflection on him. I hope you are able to find the help you need in pursuing this. Mary
I, for one, love the sliding panels but feel they give a definite look. My daughter made some for her bedroom last month lining them with blackout fabric and they look fabulous! For the 6 panels she used 3 different modern looking fabrics that suit her style. Because of the thickness of the blackout fabric and fashion fabric together she serged the edges rather than turning under for a hem which would have been too bulky. She is a beginner sewist and found the project easy once everything was measured and cut out.
Karen
KAREN: SUPER! idea to make your own. Did you already have the tracks installed and she switched out the fabric to fit her moods and style?
If you can make your own, where do you get the tracks and header? I need an outside mount so a header (valance) is needed.
CAROLYN
My daugher's husband is quite handy so he installed the tracks and findings. She (daughter) is very computer savy and found the tracks online at what she considered a reasonable cost. I'll ask her for the website and post.
Karen
The website my daughter used and purchased is: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/range/10374/13289/
Hope this helps.
Karen
OH WOW! Thank you KAREN, an IKEA product. We have an IKEA store here in Orlando.
Thank you for the information! This may be just the solution, because I priced the curtains just yesterday and the shop wanted $1,300... I just can't stomach that amount!
My sliding door is 100" wide, and that's what they say is the reason for the high expense.
WOW! this was great to ask this in Gatherings! You all have been such a help.
CAROLYN
Hey Carolyn,
More good news, IKEA just announced a big sale! Happy shopping!
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