Half Window Treatments Styles and Tips – Know What Suit You Best

Sunshine Drapery sliding glass doors window treatment

Non-Traditional Window Treatments

The most traditional style of window treatment is a panel pair in which one side of the window has a drapery panel and so does the other. To close the treatments you pull them both together into the middle. Most traditional panel pairs also have tiebacks to add softness and frame any window. Any other fabric or materials are considered non-traditional window treatments. Before installing any window treatment make sure to check your windows in case you need window replacement.

Half Window Treatment Styles Explained

Covering half of your windows with treatments or drapery panels is considered a newer work of art in your windows and is also called non-traditional. There are many different styles of covering about half of a window and also mixing and matching other window treatments with them for a unique combination.

#1. Cafe treatments

Cafe treatments are possibly the most common drapery window installation treatment that covers half of a window. This style is very modern and casual at the same time. Most commonly, it involves hanging a drapery rod across the center of the window where the window sash is located when the window is raised. This is in the middle of the entire height of the window. You then hang a fabric treatment or drapery panel on the treatment rod to simply cover the bottom half of the window and leave the top half open for letting some pure natural light inside your home. You may use a single panel to cover the width of the replacement vinyl windows or you can use a panel pair. With a single panel, you can put a tie back on either side of the window and open it fully to either side to create an asymmetrical appearance. This is one of the most commonly used window treatments in a kitchen window above the sink that doesn't get lots of bright sunshine in it. It allows some light to see what you are doing in the kitchen but blocks some of the glare from the bottom half of the window in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low.

#2. The Long Valance

This is another popular idea for a kitchen window above your sink. You usually think of a valance that is maybe one quarter the length of your window and placed at the top over the window frame on a drapery rod. However, it's quite acceptable to have a long valance hung in the same manner as a traditional one that is the length of half of the window. This idea will block out bright sunlight in the middle of the day best when the sun is up high in the sky. It will at the same time allow you to have the light come in the bottom of the window so you can see to do your tasks. The long valance is usually one treatment or drapery panel to fit the width of the window. You can take it a step farther and have scalloped patterns on the bottom of the long valance for a lot of character and interest.

#3. Choosing Fabrics for Half Window treatments

When you are deciding on what fabric you want to choose for your treatments, you should ask yourself how much light do you want to come in through the windows, or do you want no light. Different thicknesses of fabrics will give you different amounts of light and privacy. Sheer fabrics are as the name implies semi-transparent fabrics. Use sheers for a light and flowy feel with the maximum amount of light in your space when they are closed. Basically, sheers are beautiful and decorative but don't provide any other benefits. However, you can add a liner to your sheer drapery panels so they block more light and give you more privacy, and then you still have the delicate and beautiful sheer fabric that you fell in love with. Semi-opaque treatments are a blend between sheer treatments and blackout treatments. They allow some daylight into a room when closed and provide more privacy than unlined sheers. Blackout treatments allow the very least amount of light to enter any room when they're closed. These drapery panels are made of thicker material and may also have a liner. Blackout fabrics give you the ultimate in light control, privacy and energy efficiency. Some homeowners prefer a blackout treatment next to the window with a sheer treatment on the front, so they can open one or both depending on how much light they want in a room.

#4. Treatment or Drapery Headings

The headings on treatments or drapery panels are the manner in which they attach to the drapery rod. You have several choices of headings and some types work best with certain drapery rods. The simplest heading is the rod pocket. It includes a pocket sewn into the top of the fabric panel and you simply slide the drapery rod into it to hang them. Since the entire drapery rod except for the ends is covered by fabric, you can use a simple drapery rod but perhaps choose one with very decorative finials on the ends to add a layer of flair. Eye and grommet treatments have large eyelets on the top of the fabric panel that is reinforced with metal grommets for strength. This type of heading is usually used for heavier fabrics to make it more sturdy and durable. You simply feed a round drapery rod though all of the grommets and mount it to the wall. Although, if you are looking for affordable blinds check out this site. Tab tops are loops of fabric sewn to the top of the fabric panel. The drapery rod hangs through the loops and you will see your drapery rod in between each tab. You can add some extra embellishments to the tabs such as buttons or trim of any sort. Tab top drapery panels are most popular in the casual styles and contemporary country styles.

#5. Determining Treatments Width

The most popular width for treatments is twice the width as your window is. This allows your fabric to have soft folds in it to add charm to the effect. You can go even wider if you choose to do so for a more formal appearance in a half treatment. These items should help you to decide on what type of half window treatments would suit you best. Keep in mind that the thicker the fabric is the better it is at insulation and reducing outdoor noises.