Displaying Curtains The Parts of a Window Helpful Tips Panels: Arguably the most important part of a window. Panels are usually sold individually, and come in a variety of fabrics and pa erns. Before displaying them, all panels and sheers must be ironed or steamed. There is an iron and a steamer in the back of the store. All panels and sheers must also be signed appropriately, with a 5” by 3” sign, hanging at waist-height. When displaying curtains in window towers, the panels that are hung on the long side of the tower are bestsellers. These panels are placed on the top shelf of the tower. This panel will not be displayed on the short side of the tower with the other colors. The other curtains of the program are hung lightest to darkest. They are also on the shelves in this order. Panels and sheers in the wall are also hung in order lightest to darkest within their sec ons. They do not have full sized display sec ons, so they are not displayed with matching sheers and hardware. Remember that display curtains are also for sale. We oﬀer a 10% discount to our customers when they purchase our displays. The displays are only for sale when we have no more of that par cular panel or sheer on the shelves. Sheers: Similar to panels, but are usually translucent. Sheers hang under the panels to allow light in while s ll giving privacy. Shades: Hang right over the glass of the window. They are used primarily for blocking out sunlight. Valances: Used mostly as decora on. Valances hang along the top of the window, and are usually only a foot or so long. Tie‐backs: Used to hold panels back from the window to allow in sunlight. Tie-backs are a good alterna ve to pu ng metal hold-backs into walls. Hardware: Usually consists of a rod and finials. There are several diﬀerent types of hardware, but these two are the most common ones customers buy. Valance Qualifying Questions Hardware Sheers Panels Learning Learning the the Windows Room: A Guide to Selling Panels and and Hardware Hardware When asking customers ques ons about what they are looking for, it is important to remember one main ques on in windows: fashion or funcƟon? This will determine if the customer is seeking window treatments that are simply visually a rac ve, or if they need something that blocks light or saves energy. Asking this ques on right away will help narrow down what ques ons need to be asked next. Other ques ons to keep in mind:  What type of room are you buying for?  What type of windows are you covering (bay, sliding glass doors, tradi onal, etc.)?  How long will your panels need to be?  Are you trying to match these panels to anything you already have?  Once you have your panels, will you be needing new hardware, or matching sheers?  Regarding hardware, do you have any fixtures already in your house that you would like to match? Windows at a Glance Panels h p://www.amazon.com/Luxury-Embroidered-CurtainBacking-Valance/dp/B00B896HM2 Designed by Jessica Taber, 2014 Desk Shades Panel Towers Valances/ Café Panels Sheers Tie‐back Hardware Towers Hardware The Basics Know Know the the Product Product Panels and Sheers Hardware Shades Length: The panels in our store are usually 84” long. This is the default length of both panels and sheers. Many of our programs can be ordered in other lengths, such as 63” or 95” through the online store. Tops: Panels vary in ways that they are made to be hung on rods. There are four diﬀerent styles of panel tops. Rod Length: Rods come in many adjustable lengths, which helps the customer tremendously. Rods can come in sizes such as 28-48 inches, or 48-88 inches, or even 88-108 inches. Longer rods can be ordered through the online store. The best part about hese rods being adjustable is that even when a customer does not have exact measurements of their window, they can s ll buy a rod that will fit their window with ease. Finials: These decora ve pieces are made to a ach onto the end of the rods, to make the window look more polished. While they are not a necessity in hanging window panels, they do create a great look when paired with matching rods (see right). Rod Circumference: It is important to take rod circumference into considera on when selling panels because some rods are thinner and more lightweight, and therefore will not hold up heavy or lined curtains. Take no ce of the size of the rod, too, because some grommet or tab top curtains will not fit onto larger rods. Length: Shades come in a large variety of widths and lengths, since they are made to custom-fit most windows. Shades are sized by inches, and are ordered as such. There are several diﬀerent sizes in store, and even more online. Corded and Cordless Shades: In our store, we only carry cordless shades; corded shades are becoming out of style, as their cords can o en cause harm to children or pets. We do carry corded shades online, though the selec on is not nearly as wide. Materials: Our shades in-store are all fabric, but our online store oﬀers our customers plas c or bamboo blinds as well. Grommets: Make the curtains easy to open and close frequently. Pinch Pleat: Designed for a traverse rod, and can be opened by pulling a string. They are a ached to the rod with hooks. Tradi onal vs. Traverse : Tradi onal rods are the most common rods; they are simply long and narrow poles mounted to the wall. Traverse rods, however, have a hollowed out groove along the bo om with is fi ed with hooks, so that pinch pleat curtains and their rings can be a ached to them. Tradi onal Rod Traverse Rod Rod Rocket: Do not open as easily, but make the curtain look thicker and fuller than other styles. Tab Top: Easy to open, but hard to keep open. Tab tops are o en less expensive than other styles. Fabric: Diﬀerent panels are made of diﬀerent materials. Some are light and flowy, while some are heavy and lined. The lined panels are o en energy eﬃcient or sound blocking. Look for the yellow energy eﬃcient s cker on these panels’ packages. Bay Windows/Corner Windows: We sell a small piece of hardware that allows customers to connect their rods together at many diﬀerent angles, so that they can properly curtain a bay window or corner window. The angle adjuster rotates easily, and is used by screwing it into the end of a rod where a finial would go (see right). Moun ng Hardware: All rods in our store have moun ng hardware included. We also sell replacement moun ng hardware for certain brands in-store. Single vs. Double Rods: Single rods are used to hang one set of curtains. Depending on the style of curtain, some valances can also be hung from a single rod. Double rods, however, are made so that sheers can hang behind the panels (see right). This gives our customers the op on to have light come in through the sheers, but s ll have the privacy of closing their panels. Valances Length: Each valance for each program varies in length. The most common length is between 15 and 20 inches long. Café Panels: These special-sized panels are o en referred to as kitchen curtains, as they are made for small windows. They come in either 24 or 36 inch lengths. Scarf Valances: Used to drape over and around rods, these valances require no addi onal hardware and measure around six feet . h p://rubiesnsapphire.com/ pictures/curtains/Scarf% 20valance.jpg Tie-Backs Tie-backs come in many materials, including rope, strips of fabric, beads, or metal (which mount onto the wall).