How to Dress Vinyl Windows
Vinyl windows often have a white plastic appearance that surprises homeowners who have only had wood windows in the past. Often vinyl windows are energy efficient and very low maintenance making them a good buy as a new or replacement window. To reduce the inexpensive appearance of the vinyl it is a good idea to dress these windows with fitted blinds, curtains, drapes, cornices or swags. Properly dressed, the window construction style will recede and the decor will make the windows look attractive. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Awl
- Drill
- Power screw driver
- Wall anchors
- Blinds
- Shades
- Curtains
- Draperies
- Curtain rods
- Scarfs
- Swags
Instructions
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Measure your windows for blinds. Unlike wood windows where the window and trim connect, vinyl windows are often recessed as much as 2 to 3 inches and there may be no window trim beyond a sill and apron. This means that you may have sheet rock wall surface lining the recess area. Because the blinds will mount to these side walls, measure the width from one recessed wall to the other. Measure the height from the recessed top surface to the sill.
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Select a blind as your light control choice. Wood style blinds can look like plantation shutters. Honeycomb style can insulate. Pleated shades can ensure privacy. Shades can also be chosen such as roman style for a more formal look.
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Mount your blinds or shades by positioning the hardware at the back top of the recessed areas. Use an awl tapped through the mounting holes to mark drill spot locations. Drill pilot holes with a drill and use the screws provided with the blinds or shades to screw the hardware into position. Use a power screw driver. Slide the blinds or shades into the hardware and close the hardware access panel (usually a small plastic or metal door). Use wall anchors if you do not screw into a stud.
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Measure and mark for curtains or draperies by measuring 3-inches above the window and down to the floor. Measure the width 3-inches to each side of the window. Mark the spot where the 3-inches above and to each side cross for the location of your drapery hardware. Select a curtain or drapery rod that you like. Use your awl, drill, wall anchors and power screw driver to mount your drapery rod.
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Select a curtain or drapery that suits your room color, design style, and the architectural style of your home. A curtain is typically an unlined full or partial length fabric panel. A drapery is typically a lined and weighted full length panel. The drapery is more formal and more functional. The fabric should fall to 1/2 inch above the floor or carpet surface. Drapes that puddle are usually fixed into one position.
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Dress the top of your window with draped scarfs or swags. These are usually a length of fabric that drapes across the top of the curtains or draperies and tucks around the curtain rod finial. The scarf and the swag are similar, the scarf is made of a very light fabric and may be transparent while the swag uses a heavier fabric.
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Tips & Warnings
By layering your window the visibility of the window type will diminish and the focus will center more on decor. Adding layers also creates decorating opportunities to bring accent colors and textures into the room.
