Drapery Series #3: Accommodating Drapery Hardware

When purchasing side panels in our shop, you will need to be sure you have the appropriate hardware for installation. Drapery rods and drapery rings are not included with purchase, but the drapery pins that are needed to hook to drapery rings do come already installed on the panels. Pin setting is 1/4" to accommodate rings.

There are many different types of drapery rods available on the market. Regardless of the rod you choose, you will need to be sure the rod you purchase is wider than your window.

You may also need to consider the functionality of the side panels when determining the rod length.

For stationary panels, the rod length measurement is not as important as it is if the panels should be functional. You will need to be sure the overlap or leading edge of the panel can be stationed on the rod to cover a small portion of the window space so the casing and the wall adjacent to the window are not visible.

For functional panels, you will need to be sure the length of the rod you purchase still allows for the panels to cover the window when fully closed. A drapery rod that is too long or one that extends too far beyond the window casing may not allow for the panels to close fully. Read more about how to measure for functional drapes here.

One Width Panels

One width panels are sewn with 5 pleats and have 7 drapery pins installed: one pin for each of the pleats, and then one pin each for the overlap (leading edge) and return (edge at the end of the rod).

The number of rings you will need depends on the hardware you are using and if you will hook the return edge to the wall with an eye hook or will hook it to a drapery ring. If you are using a French or bent return rod, we recommend using a drapery ring for the return edge. For straight rods, hooking the return edge to an eye hook anchored to the wall blocks more light that might come through the window. However, hooking the return edge to an additional drapery pin allows for the panels to cover more of the width of the window.

If using an eye hook for the return edge, you will need 6 drapery rings per panel. If using a drapery ring for each pin, you will need 7 drapery rings per panel.

One width panels have a stack back measurement of ~8". This means when fully open and compressed to the side of the rod, they measure ~8" wide. Consider this when determining the length of your rod. If your drapery rod extends >8" beyond the window, the window casing and the wall will be visible when the drapes are fully open.

For stationary panels, the length of your rod can certainly extend >8" beyond the window especially if trying to give the appearance of a wider window. You just want to be sure to station the panels on the rod to hide the wall adjacent to the window as well as the window casing.

Two Width Panels

Two width panels are sewn with 10 pleats and have 12 drapery pins installed: one pin for each of the pleats, and then one pin each for the overlap (leading edge) and return (edge at the end of the rod).

The number of rings you will need depends on the hardware you are using and if you will hook the return edge to the wall with an eye hook or will hook it to a drapery ring. If you are using a French or bent return rod, we recommend using a drapery ring for the return edge. For straight rods, hooking the return edge to an eye hook anchored to the wall blocks more light that might come through the window. Hooking the return edge to an additional drapery pin allows for the panels to have more window coverage.

If using an eye hook for the return edge, you will need 11 drapery rings per panel. If using a drapery ring for each pin, you will need 12 drapery rings per panel.

Two width panels have a stack back measurement of ~13". This means when fully open and compressed to the side of the rod, they measure ~13" wide. Consider this when determining the length of your rod. If your drapery rod extends >13" beyond the window, the window casing and the wall will be visible when the drapes are fully open.

For stationary panels, the length of your rod can certainly extend >13" beyond the window especially if trying to give the appearance of a wider window. You just want to be sure to station the panels on the rod to hide the wall adjacent to the window as well as the window casing.