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Need help - how to cover 16 ft window - pics included

14 years ago

First time poster here - although I have lurked for years!

We have a large uncovered 16 ft window in our family room that has our only TV. We don't have cable and don't watch a lot of TV so it normally isn't a problem that it is uncovered. However, this time of the year, with football playoffs and 20 degree weather, we watch more tv/movies during the day and my husband is getting really fed up with hanging sheets over the window to eliminate the glare from the window.

I have procrastinated over the years with the solution to this problem because I really don't know how to deal with the length of this window. Plus, I rather like the undressed look of the window. The 2 side windows are about 40 inches and the middle window is about 8.5 feet. I would like as many ideas/suggestions/pics/inspiration photos as possible to help me decide how to cover this window.

Although I know it would be really pretty, I really did not want floor to ceiling drapes because the sofa is up against the window. I guess i could pull the sofa out a bit and when we need to close the drapes, we could easily pull behind the couch.

One of my new years resolutions is to get this problem solved in 2-3 weeks. THANKS for any help you can give me.

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Comments (13)

prairiemom61
14 years ago
I'm facing the same problem. Am thinking about a ceiling height box pleat valance the length of the window with floor-length drapes on the ends, to anchor. I plan to use room-darkening roman shades for those times we need to cut the glare, but they'll hide up under the valance when not needed. Added plus: the roman shades can help cut the cold on these frigid winter days!
emilieva
Original Author
14 years ago
prairie mom - do you have an inspiration pic to show me your idea? I am sure I have seen that on windows before, but not on a 16 ft window almost the entire length of the room. Were you thinking your drapes on the end would just be for decoration and wouldn't be functional? Thanks for your help
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parma42
14 years ago
If you don't like window treatments, you could have anti-glare film installed.
crescent50
14 years ago
I was going to make the same suggestion as parma.

I am considering the same option for the family room in our new home- there seem to be a number of 3M window tinting products available.

From the pictures I have seen, they are not visible- you can still see out but the glare is blocked and people can't see in.

I will look forward to hearing other peoples' suggestions.

Good Luck- your room is very pretty!
ljwrar
14 years ago
I don't have any input on window coverings, but your room makes me want to snuggle up with some hot chocolate and a good book. It looks very cozy and comfortable!

Lisa
boxerpups
14 years ago
I agree with Lisa, I want a warm cup of chocolate with
whip cream on top while watching football.

Okay now to the windows... Here are some ideas
Ihope they can help you.

Are you planning on buying these or making yourself?
2-3 weeks is a little short to sew yourself but it could
be done with hardwork. I lack the sewing talent.
If you are thinking of hiring I recommend Calico Corners,
JCP custom or Ethan Allen. But this is costly.

If you are thinking of going semi custom you can buy
drapes, or shades in made to measure sizes (semi custom)
through places like JCP, Sears, Pottery Barn, Macy's,
Smith and Nobel...
Along with the rods and hardware. It will take a few tools
etc but it can work nicely and less expensive.

Now lets figure out what you like.
movin-on
14 years ago
We have 6'x6' south facing windows. We installed on the exterior the solar screens. They are attached permanently to the windows reduced the heat by at least 50% and helped with the glare. I then put HD roller shades which can be lowered to remove the last of the sun.

So a google sun screens, exterior. There are plenty - this is very popular in the southwest and Texas areas.
emilieva
Original Author
14 years ago
thanks for all your great responses and kind comments on my room. We do enjoy our room! I am going to look into the anti-glare window tinting products. when I did an original search on anti-glare, it came up with a lot of computer screen products. I need to do a bit more searching.

Boxerpups - thanks for posting all of those great inspiration pics. I am definitely not planning on making them myself. as I look at them, I like pics #1, #3 and the last one. I am a bit of a minimalist and too much pattern or frou frou is definitely not for me.

What do you think is on the windows in pic #3? Some sort of roller shade? Also, do you think I can get roman shades like pic #1 in an 8 ft length? Do you have the source for those photos? maybe I can find out what the products are if I know where the pics came from.

I also had another thought - we are planning to upgrade our basement from semi-finished to finished and it will be a great place for watching movies and football on a cold winter day. My husband and I were just down there this weekend discussing ideas for the upgrade. If I take the $$ that I would spend on a window treatment (which I think could end up being rather expensive) and get started on the basement remodel sooner rather than later, I can keep my undressed big window and my DH would still have a place to watch daytime TV (without a glare).

After this thought, I called our contractor next door neighbor and left a message to get some estimates on the things we need done in our basement to make it comfortable. I am going to run this all by my husband and see what he thinks about getting started on the basement right away.
lsst
14 years ago
We did draperies.
Our FR windows face SW and the draperies can be closed to block the afternoon sun.
{{!gwi}}
lsst
14 years ago
I noticed you mentioned difficulty closing drapes due to the sofa.
I had rods built into the panels so that when I close them I do not have to move any furniture. The rods are hidden behind the panels. I just reach over the chair grab the rod and pull.
emilieva
Original Author
14 years ago
lsst

Thanks for your post/pic. your room is beautiful! It is really helpful seeing your drapes because if I do drapes, that is exactly what I was considering. How long is your window? Also, where did you get such a long rod? Is yours 3 separate windows and do you have a support bracket? It looks like you have 2 support brackets on your rod. Thanks for your help!
lsst
14 years ago
Thanks,
My window is 16.5 feet wide.
I used 2 - 10 foot wood rods connected with a threaded dowel.
I do have 2 supports between the windows.
There is about a 1 foot space between each window.

HTH
prairiemom61
14 years ago
emileva, I have just looked at lots of pics online, no one site in particular, but like the minimal look of the box pleat valance in a solid color. I also really like lsst's drapes. I was worried that it might be too much drapery, but it looks really nice and the rods are a great idea. I am looking for room darkening, and plan to hang them at ceiling height. I will try to post a picture soon.

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