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| | | Cloth curtains (also called drapes or draperies) are the most common and easily purchased window treatments. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Curtains can cost $7 -$1,500 per panel and up, depending on the size fabric used, construction quality, style, designer or brand name. A standard sized panel can range from 15 inches to 50 inches wide. The most common length for standard window panels is 84 inches, and 36 inches for kitchen and bathroom curtains.
- Curtains made with low-end fabrics in stock sizes cost $7 -$20 per panel. Pairs of panels cost $15 -$40. For inexpensive curtains, shop at Target or Wal-Mart.
- Silk, brocade, linen and other high-end material curtains in stock sizes cost $20 -$150 per panel, and up to $250 for a set of 2 panels. Big-box home stores like Bed Bath & Beyond sell curtain panels in fine fabrics. Higher end department stores with Home departments also sell curtains. Macy's offers a wide range of fabrics, styles, and prices.
- Custom-sized (made-to-measure) curtains created to your specifications from a retail or designer window treatment retailer cost $250 -$1500 per panel. Custom-sized curtains can be cut to within 1/8 of an inch; sizes range from 15-177 inches wide and 10-177 inches long, and be made from single-layer inexpensive cottons, midpriced materials, or designers silks and velvets with linings and interlinings and extra accessories. Smith + Noble and JCPenney offer custom-sized curtains both online and at their stores.
- Energy efficient curtains cost $20 -$150 per panel and up for designer labels or custom-made curtains. Check with your favorite curtain store for energy efficient selections -- most retailers offer them in a number of styles.
- Sheers are ultra-thin translucent curtain panels that filter sunlight and provide minimal privacy, and are often used with thicker curtains to create a multi-layered effect. They cost $10 -$100 per panel or more, depending on material, size and designer name.
What should be included: | - Out-of-package curtains include one fabric panel with pleats, a pocket, or grommets for hanging.
- A set may include two panels and possibly a matching fabric valance and fabric tie-backs.
- Expensive custom-sized curtains may include clips or rings, weights at the bottom corners of the curtains, linings and other accessories.
Additional costs: | - The curtain rod should include all hardware necessary to install the rod, including screws, for $5 -$200 depending on size, style, material and designer. A curtain rod might not include rings or clips to hang the curtains.
- Rings or clips to hang curtains from the rod cost from $5 -$600 per set of ten rings, depending on the material (metal, plastic, blown glass), quality, style, and brand name. Typical sets of rings cost $5 -$25. Only the fanciest handmade rings from top designers cost up to $600 per set.
- Valances are additional fabric curtains that decorate the top of a window. Inexpensive valances cost from $10 -$50, but they can run up to $600, depending on size, quality and brand name. Some window treatment sets include matching valances.
- Cornices are constructed boxes, sometimes upholstered with fabric, that decorate the top of a window. A cornice costs from $150 -$600.
- Holdbacks (also called tiebacks) attach to the wall on each side of the window to gracefully hold curtains back from the window. Holdbacks often match decorative curtain rods or the curtains themselves, and may be sold with the rods or curtains as sets. On their own, holdbacks cost $7 -$70 per pair.
- Finials, the decorative end caps for curtain rods, can be made from wood, metal, glass, or plastic, and cost $10 -$80 per pair. Finials may also be included with a curtain rod as a set.
Discounts: | - Overstock.com offers higher quality curtains for discounted prices, usually $30 -$170, plus shipping.
- Most curtains are easy to install without professional assistance. IronHardware.com gives detailed instructions.
- Experienced amateur tailors can make their own curtains for the cost of fabric, thread, and hanging hardware. Homemade curtains can cost from $5 -$50 per panel, depending on the size of the curtain and the type of fabric. Fabric-Store.com sells machine-washable linen for $5 -$20 per yard of 36-58 inch wide fabric.
Shopping for curtains and drapes: | - The Macy's Measuring Guide provides a description of the necessary measurements, plus an overview of curtain and hardware styles, fabric choices and design considerations.
- Bed Bath & Beyond provides a Shopping Guide with detailed descriptions of different types of curtains, hardware, and accessories.
- The article on How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost provides information about hiring an interior designer.
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Article updated January 2010 |
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