Whether you are selecting drapery, curtain rods, vertical-blinds, or horizontal mini-blinds for your window coverings, one important consideration is the product durability you are willing to accept. It is true you do not necessarily have to forfeit durability for price; but, when you purchase a budget or economy product, you should realistically apprise the probable life span of that product. Usually, if the product is made with inferior parts or components, your window coverings will have a relatively limited life span. This is particularly applicable in rental unit situations where tenant abuse frequently can occur. Therefore, a "Real Deal" can turn into a real nightmare if your window coverings have to be replaced after only a few month's usage.

 

Draperies

 

One primary factor to consider when purchasing draperies is whether you will dry-clean them. As costs for dry cleaning have increased, customers have sought alternatives. One alternative is to purchase inexpensive draperies that can be used for a couple of years, then discarded instead of cleaning.

 

Another desirable alternative is to select a fabric that can just be washed. The best fabric composition you can get for this purpose is probably cotton/polyester. Cotton has long been known for its durability and aesthetic qualities (it hangs beautifully). Its sole drawback, however, is its propensity to incur some shrinkage during dry cleaning. These shrinkage problems can be significantly mitigated when polyester is blended in with the cotton. This makes for a very stable product. Even if you just plan to dry-clean your draperies and not wash them, cotton/polyester would be a good choice. A cotton/polyester combination is very resistant to sun rot. This fabric sometimes is available with a backing which provides added insulation and privacy. A new drape called "Oxford" is probably the most washable drapery fabric you can buy.

 

Drapery Rods

 

When purchasing drapery rods, few customers realize that the major drapery rod manufacturers offer several grades of rods with varying qualities. For example, when you ask for a rod, did you know that most rod manufacturers feature rods ranging from lightweight economy models to a heavy duty durable style which is particularly suitable for rental unit situations. Once again, there is quite a difference in durability. A good strong drapery rod will provide you with many years of maintenance-free usage.

 

Mini-Blinds

 

Since a horizontal mini-blind is an entirely mechanical operation, you want to make sure you are buying a durable product that will withstand repeated and harsh usage that can sometimes occur. Remember, if one part of your blind breaks down, you usually end up replacing the whole thing. It is difficult and extremely costly to have someone come out just to restore your blind or repair a slat or two. Here are a few things to look for:

 

Slats – These are probably the most important parts of your mini-blinds. A thin or inferior slat will bend, crimp and be susceptible to overall damage. Make sure you are getting an extra thick slat like .008 or .009 gauge thick only. Don't be misled into believing that .004 or .006 gauge is just as strong as .008 or .009 gauge. If you believe that one, then you should believe 6 pounds is just as heavy as 8 or 9 pounds. Wrong! Many retailers, as well as wholesalers, carry a thinner slat because it is both less expensive for them to do so and, unfortunately, the general public rarely knows the difference. Even nationally known and recognizable blind companies all tend to offer thinner slats that are more applicable to light residential usage. Be sure, therefore, to invest in blinds that are specially constructed to take a beating. To buy this type of blind, it starts with .008 or .009 gauge slats.

 

Headrail – Make sure you get a strong heavy all-steel 1 1/2" headrail at the top of your blind. Smaller headrails will usually indicate that less concern or attention has been paid to the mechanical operation housed in the headrail; that is, larger headrails allow the manufacturer to use larger and better mechanical components. This is important. As mentioned before, a blind is entirely mechanical; therefore, make sure the headrail is 1-1/2" wide and strong steel.

 

Mechanical Components – You also want to select blinds with durable wear resistant metal mechanical components. Some manufacturers reduce their costs by using cheaper plastic mechanical parts in the headrail. This, however, usually results in more mechanical problems and less durability.

 

Make sure to purchase American Made window coverings. Supporting American Made companies as well as products ensures America's financial capital stays within our country. It also decreases America's carbon footprint.

 

Lifetime Warranty – First, invest only in blinds that come with a Lifetime Warranty. What does lifetime mean? It should be for your life and as long as you own the blind. That means 10, 20 or 40 years from now, the manufacturer guarantees to repair or replace the blinds at no extra cost to you, should they not function properly due to either mechanical failure or workmanship.

 

For hundreds of durable, extra thick drapery samples to choose from, the strongest drapery rods on the market, super tough .008 and .009 gauge Hercules mini-blinds with a Lifetime Warranty and a large variety of vertical blinds choices with slats that are 33% thicker than most competitors, be sure to check us out on our website or call us anytime for information or assistance. For further information about mini-blinds and vertical blinds, check out our website or "click to

 

For more information or free fabric samples go to the sample request page on our website or "click to connect" to speak with one of our specialized representatives.