This forum is in permanent archive mode. Our new active community can be found here.

Covering the Windows

edited October 2009 in Everything Else
Of all the things in the world that make moving difficult, who would have expected that the most difficult thing would be finding something to cover the god damned windows?

The apartment I'm moving into has two sets of windows. One set of windows in the living room, and one in the bedroom. The thing is, they aren't normal windows like you find in a house. They are big windows. The window sill is about a foot deep, you can sit on it. The bedroom window is about 77"-80" wide and the living room is about 94"-99" wide or so. They're both about 67" tall"

It's fucking impossible to find anything to put in these fucking windows. Blinds, curtains, drapes, panels, whatever the fuck. I go to Bed Bath and Beyond. They have a million choices of window coverings. Many look nice. They'are all either 63" long or 83" long. 63 is too short, I could have just gotten the 83 and dealt with the extra length. BUT NO. Directly below the window sill in both rooms of my apartment are the heaters and air conditioners. I can't get something that goes all the way to the floor. It has to be the exact right length, or it won't work.

The width is an issue as well. Most of the things I'm seeing are 40"-50" wide. The thing is, everyone says to get enough to cover double the width of the window. That means I have to buy fucking 8 of these things to cover the excessively wide windows. I can't afford that. Some of these are $50 per panel. $400 WTF! that doesn't even include the bar to hang it on.

The thing is, everything I have found fails utterly in some way or another. Most of them will not be effectively at insulating the room or making it sufficiently dark. Many are excessively expensive. Most look like they only belong in old people's houses. Almost none of them will actually fit my windows.

There are some options out there to get custom-sized things. Of course, they are excessively expensive. I'm not going to spend more money on window treatments than I am on an HD television. That's just insane.

Even shopping on the Internet doesn't help. This shouldn't be that hard. I think I'm just going to use trash bags and duct tape. Fuck it.
«134

Comments

  • edited October 2009
    Post edited by Walker on
  • Hereyougo.
    Yeah, no.
  • edited October 2009
    Target has decent stuff for wicked cheap prices.

    You may have to get 3 panels to cover some of those larger windows. Don't forget that most drapes are often left somewhat folded, so the total width may actually be too short. A good rule is to get 50% more curtain width than the width of your windows.

    Also, where are you taking your measurements?

    EDIT: Missed the part where you mentioned the width issue. Go with 50% larger; you won't really notice it. 80" window width = 120" of curtain = 3 panels.
    Post edited by TheWhaleShark on
  • edited October 2009
    Target has decent stuff for wicked cheap prices.
    They had shit at both their store and web site. For the record I've checked Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond in the store. I've check them, JC Penney, Macy's, overstock, Lowes, and a whole bunch of other places online. Nobody has dick for dick.
    You may have to get 3 panels to cover some of those larger windows. Don't forget that most drapes are often left somewhat folded, so the total width may actually be too short. A good rule is to get 50% more curtain width than the width of your windows.
    How do three panels work? How do I open them? Put two on one side and leave one hanging in the middle? Also, the windows are so long, I kind of need to put an extra bracket in the middle to hold up the extra-long bar. The panels can't slide past the bracket, so an odd number of panels really doesn't work. Also, buying three panels means I need six, because I have two rooms. Buying four panels means I need eight. That's ludicrously expensive.
    Also, where are you taking your measurements?
    I took the measurements in every possible location. It really doesn't matter that much. This doesn't need to be ultra-precise. I'll live if they're an inch or two long or short. I'll take anything that's even remotely close to being the right size. The thing is most stores only have two options. 63", which will definitely leave most of the window uncovered, or 83", which will hang in front of the heaters and air conditioners.

    And to conclude, yes, I'm not a moron. I've done all the research on Google. Don't tell me anything that Google tells me, I already know it.
    Post edited by Apreche on
  • edited October 2009
    You said the windows are 67" tall. 63" curtains will leave a small gap, but I wouldn't say "most" of the window will be uncovered. If you're measuring from the top of the molding around the windows to the bottom of the sill, you may be adding several extra inches. Have you thought about mounting curtain rods a little higher than where they are? The exact measurements do matter.
    Buying four panels means I need eight. That's ludicrously expensive.
    You do realize that most places sell serviceable panels as pairs, right? There's absolutely no need to pay $50 per panel. You can easily get a packaged pair for that much.

    EDIT: Your best bet is probably to go with 50 x 63" panels (trivially found at Target) and deal with shorted coverings. For the larger window, you can get away with 40-ish inch panels.

    Nobody's windows are ever a perfect match for drapes. You just sort of have to deal with it.
    Post edited by TheWhaleShark on
  • You said the windows are 67" tall. 63" curtains will leave a small gap, but I wouldn't say "most" of the window will be uncovered. If you're measuring from the top of the molding around the windows to the bottom of the sill, you may be adding several extra inches. Have you thought about mounting curtain rods a little higher than where they are? The exact measurements do matter.
    Yes, the windows are 67" tall. So if I put the bar up above the windows, I actually need the curtains to be more like 70+" long. With a 63" curtain, there will be a very significant portion of the window that is not covered. Also, there isn't much leeway in where I can mount the rod. There's only about 5" of space between the top of the windows and the ceiling.

    Also, my goal here is insulation from light, heat, and cold. The opaque curtains that have insulating properties were all sold individually, and ones that look nice are even more money.

    Also, I could get blinds or shades. I would need three in the living room and two in the bedroom, though the bedroom ones would be wider. However, remember that the window cavity is like a foot deep. Usually these things mount on the wall above the window and them come down in front of it. That's not going to work with a blind or shade here. If I don't do curtains, I need a blind or shade that mounts on the "ceiling" of the window cavity. I have not seen even one such product so far. If I could find one, I would proably be set, and length is not as much of an issue with blinds/shades since adjusting in length is sort of how they work.
  • edited October 2009
    Scott, if you get curtains that are too long, you can hem them or have them hemmed. Heck, I will hem them for you.
    EDIT: Please post the measurements and some detailed pictures for any reasonable recommendations including the ceiling to heater measurements and the "depth" the wall to the window pane.
    Post edited by Kate Monster on
  • There's only about 5" of space between the top of the windows and the ceiling.
    Seriously? How much space have you got below the windows? I'm assuming you have molding around the windows, right? Or are they just cavities recessed into the wall? Irrespective, you should readily have more than 84" of height from the ceiling to the floor.

    If you're looking for insulated drapes, they will cost more, but you should still find them reasonably priced. Seriously, fuck BB&B.; Target is definitely the way to go. You'll want the Energy Efficient coverings; they'll provide good insulation and light blocking.
  • Get a curtain rod and a bed sheet OR make your own. It's not too hard.

    Failing that idea. Check out this pair from IKEA.
    Length: 118 "
    Width: 55 "
    Heavy Duty Material.

    Basic but functional.
  • edited October 2009
    Welcome to the wonderful world of furnishing a home. I went through the same thing when I moved from my house to the townhouse I'm currently living in. To quote a friend of mine regarding furnishings such as window treatments and other similar things, "That shit ain't cheap." Stuff that's light-blocking is going to run you a good chunk of change and if you want insulated as well then you'd better expect to lay out some serious cabbage. Given the size of the windows you're describing, I'm surprised there aren't vertical blinds or something already mounted. Granted vertical blinds don't do shit for cold insulation, what with having to have a huge gap between the blinds and the window, but they do a fair job of blocking light and in turn can help with A/C costs in the summer. Either way, if you're dead-set on curtains then it might end up being cheaper to take the DIY route (as previously mentioned). Surely you know someone who can sew, right? I mean, there has to be someone in the FRC that's into Cosplay to enough of a degree that they make their own stuff, or at least does sewing as a hobby, right? Get the fabric and then con, bribe, cajole, or just outright pay them to sew you a set. You'll likely pay less per yard in fabric costs and you'll get some decent custom curtains out of it to boot.

    EDIT: See, Kate is even volunteering! :)
    Post edited by Techparadox on
  • 118" is way too goddamn long. That will definitely require hemming.
  • edited October 2009
    Tyvek is easily sewn, very cheap, incredibly durable, and has a cool DIY look to it. It'll last way longer than trash bags, and you can get it by the roll or cut to order at the Home Depot/Lowes.
    Post edited by WindUpBird on
  • Solution to window treatment problem:

    1. Start dating a nice girl.

    2. When you inevitably have the sexies with her at your house, wait for her to notice that you have nothing on your windows.

    3. Tell her that you would like to have something covering the windows, but you don't know how to do it. She will offer to do it for you. Graciously accept her offer.

    4. Enjoy your new window treatments. Dump her and move on.

    It works. This is how I accomplished the majority of my domestic house chores/tomfooleries during bachelor life.
  • edited October 2009
    1. Start dating a nice girl.
    Lets not move too fast now. Scott may just skip ahead to part 2 of step 4.

    Also, any girl that gives you sexy time when you have nothing covering the windows in NYC is kind of kinky, and therefore* a keeper. :)

    *Edited for Rym.
    Post edited by Wyatt on
  • their for
    Now come on... Honestly? Really? Not therefore?
  • HJ, do you hate women?
  • Ow, ma petit fille, you done gots me all wrong. Joe, he loves de womens - especially when dey clean Joe's shack for him. Aaaiiieeee!
  • edited October 2009
    Also, any girl that gives you sexy time when you have nothing covering the windows in NYC is kind of kinky, and therefore* a keeper. :)
    Exhibitionists are all over the place around here. There was apparently a lady who would stand naked in the window in the building across from the film center when I was in school, and we would always laugh about it.
    Ow, ma petit fille, you done gots me all wrong. Joe, he loves de womens - especially when dey clean Joe's shack for him. Aaaiiieeee!
    Kate, I am doubting that he is actually serious with these comments. Methinks he is playing some sort of sexist cajun curmudgeon character.
    Post edited by gomidog on
  • OK I have no idea whether this is applicable but IKEA over here sells window blinds and a small cutter that you can use to chop the blinds to the correct length. It's not fun but it works.
  • OK I have no idea whether this is applicable but IKEA over here sells window blindsanda small cutter that you can use to chop the blinds to the correct length. It's not fun but it works.
    I didn't see that when I was there. I can check again. Also, they didn't seem to have anything that would actually make the room dark.
  • edited October 2009
    OK I have no idea whether this is applicable but IKEA over here sells window blindsanda small cutter that you can use to chop the blinds to the correct length. It's not fun but it works.
    I didn't see that when I was there. I can check again. Also, they didn't seem to have anything that would actually make the room dark.
    It's called a venetian blind slat cutter and I couldn't just now find it in the IKEA catalog either, but it should be available at any decent home depot.

    Also for getting a room significantly darker than with blinds / loose drapes, you will need to spend some money. The $400 you mention earlier is really not that much for quality drapes.

    Edit: US slat cutter
    Post edited by Dr. Timo on
  • In Michigan, the houses in which I grew up all had the same, elegant solution. It consists of three parts.

    1. The Shear
    This is a white, translucent gauzy layer hanging between the curtains. It lets a great deal of diffuse light in when closed, but otherwise obscures vision.

    2. The Curtain
    This is the dark curtain, providing insulation and a good deal of (but not total) light stoppage.

    3. The Blind
    This is an opaque plastic sheet that rolls down over the window, blocking ALL light.

    Between these three components, you can use them in various combinations to provide all of your desired lighting options. Fuck Venetian blinds.
  • Home Depot will cut and ship custom sized blinds. If I recall correctly, they will do ginormous windows.
  • edited October 2009
    The question, Scott, is why do you want to block all the light? I don't get it. You have these big windows to let in natural light and then you hide from it like a bat.
    Post edited by gomidog on
  • I don't get it. You have these big windows to let in natural light and then you hide from it like a bat.
    I have no idea why this surprises you. :P
  • Between these three components, you can use them in various combinations to provide all of your desired lighting options. Fuck Venetian blinds.
    This is all true. However, to get those three components for each and every window costs a ginormous amount of money. You'll probably end up paying $300+ per window to get that setup.
    Home Depotwill cut and ship custom sized blinds. If I recall correctly, they will do ginormous windows.
    Many places do the custom size. They're all too expensive.
    The question, Scott, is why do you want to block all the light? I don't get it. You have these big windows to let in natural light and then you hide from it like a bat.
    I don't want to block out all the light all the time. I want the option of blocking out all the light so I can watch a movie or get the glare off the screen, or sleep while the sun is out, etc. Also, it helps keep things cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

    I ended up just getting some from JC Penney's just now. They are too long at 84", but everything else about them was good. The price was also just right. Buy one for $50 get one for $0.88. So about $25.50 each before tax. I'm going to take them to a tailor or something to have them shortened. Of course, they had shit selection for bars, so I'm going to have to get those elsewhere.

    I think the real problem here is that most of what I buy is electronics and books. Look at the book shopping experience on Amazon. It's a beautful thing. You know exactly what you are getting, and you have very powerful searches. Look even better at the electronics shopping experience at Newegg. The searching abilities are so powerful, you can't fail to find exactly what you need. The same goes for Zappos and shoes.

    Compare that to the curtain shopping experience. There isn't a specialist curtain site out there like Newegg. It's just a a bunch of stores that sell all kinds of shit that also happen to sell curtains. The result is that the online shopping experience is extremely weak sauce.

    If I had enough money, I would buy a curtain store. Then I would make a Newegg-like site just for curtains. Then I could rinse and repeat with other product categories. I mean, I could make the site now, but I need the curtain supplier and a curtain expert.
  • The question, Scott, is why do you want to block all the light? I don't get it. You have these big windows to let in natural light and then you hide from it like a bat.
    He also sleeps hanging upside down and eats small insects, but that's neither here nor there.
  • The bedroom window is about 77"-80" wide and the living room is about 94"-99" wide or so. They're both about 67" tall"
    >about
    >about
    >about
    Mankind invented these things called tape measures, they allow you to measure exactly how tall and wide your windows are. If you have windows that vary 3 to 5 inches between places you either are very sloppy at measuring, or you just have abstract art for windows.
    How do three panels work?
    Like any panel.
    How do I open them?
    In general you open curtains by sliding them to a side.
    Put two on one side and leave one hanging in the middle?
    That would look stupid, but if you want that, nobody is stopping you. Though you could also make it look artistic.
    Also, the windows are so long, I kind of need to put an extra bracket in the middle to hold up the extra-long bar.
    You could also opt to use a rail, these don't have obstacles in the path of the curtains. Rails also do not look like they belong in an old person's house.
    The panels can't slide past the bracket, so an odd number of panels really doesn't work.
    They don't have to slide past the bracket. You could be creative, buy 3 panels, cut one in half and hang the two halves on either side of the offending bracket.
    Also, buying three panels means I need six, because I have two rooms. Buying four panels means I need eight. That's ludicrously expensive.
    I'm surprised you thought buying ready made curtains was cheap. I'll enjoy seeing the next thread coming into existence when you want to put a new floor in a house.

    I realize you'd have to perform a little bit of handiwork in my suggestions, but that never killed anyone.
  • Jesus, Scott...just get the long curtains and hem them like Kate said. Or if you're too lazy to do that, put a line of Fray-Check along where you want the bottom to be and just cut off the bottoms of the curtains. Not that hard.

    If you are unhappy with that, go to Home Depot, get some tar paper, and tape it to your windows. Ghetto-fab.

    Rym, since we are calling people out, it's sheer. Shear is what you do to sheep. As amusing as it would be, I don't think that's what Scott is going for on his windows.
  • As amusing as it would be, I don't think that's what Scott is going for on his windows.
    Or maybe it's the perfect solution...
Sign In or Register to comment.