Window coverings on budget

[dyna]

I'm in central FL where the sun is very strong east window that faces street 75" wide x 50" long window. The shortest curtain/ drapes I'm finding are 63" which I can center on the wall have as much above window as below.

I HATE the rod pocket & the back pocket don't think much of the tabs either which leaves the grommets. DH likes the old fashioned pleated on the traverse rods YUCK!

Then there are the rods which are outrageously priced along with the curtains an drapes.

I don't have to have room darkening but I need something that will hold up in the FL sun for a few yrs which to DH is is the rest of his life time say 20 yrs. LOL

Hey at one time they actually made draperies that would hold up that long an ppl used them that long an longer I was 1 of them. Left a pair in IN that I bought in 1985 they was going strong when I left 2 yrs ago they was on a west window. Totally wrong size color & everything for what I need now.

Any ideas? DH just does not do well with any kind of blinds or shades he's not that mechanically inclined or somethin.

 

[LuLuO]

What about roman shades? You'd probably have to do two or three. JCP has one called the Savannah III that seem reasonably priced.

ETA: I know your husband can't work shades, but other than the types of curtains you mentioned that you don't like, I can't seem to think of anything else.

 

[tina.tina]

What about putting a tinted film on the window so your curtains last longer?

 

[dyna]

Yes I've thought about the tinted windows. Guess I need to research that a bit.

The windows in question is my computer room an some how I just not comfy sittin in here at the puter with ppl being able to look in.

Believe it or not right now we using newspaper an black garbage bag over the window LOL that not going to last long I hope.

 

[kkwis2]

I will second JCP. All of the window coverings in our house are from there. We purchased our house about 12 years ago and have refurbed the entire thing. We have a variety of different window coverings depending on the room, including room darkening in the bedrooms, insulated blinds (to help keep out the cold here in MN) and woods slats.

We got all of ours for very reasonable prices, and they had a ton to choose from. I don't know how things are priced now that they have their new pricing stucture.

 

[glss1/2fll]

Can't remember if country curtains is inexpensive or not, but we have gotten blackout curtains from them and they've lasted many years. Their version of blackout isn't terribly dark.

If you can sew or even attach hook and loop tape then the cheapest is to go to a Goodwill type store and buy a sheet and hang that! You can buy blackout fabric at a fabric store (heck, maybe even Walmart). Another thing DH and I did back in the day was buy a colored shower curtain liner and hang that. But I gotta tell ya it smelled plasticky in full sun!

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I also like and have used JC Penney's. Go online to see what they have . Many different lenghths and widths and a variety to choose from. Easy home delivery and returns. Check them out !

 

[Mariep26]

I know you said your husband is not big on blinds/shades but we got honeycomb blinds from Blinds.com and they were super easy to measure and install. We found them the best to keep the sunlight out and help keep the room cool or warm (we are in MA).

 

[dyna]

JCP's quality is nothing like it once was. In fact while shopping online at Walmart an then JCP I noticed that JCP has some of the same curtains that Walmart has It's the ECLISPE brand I believe that JCP an Walmart had the same thing. I found that disheartening that JCP an Walmart had the same thing really makes me question JCP's quality.

I do think that with the window film the curtains will last much longer. It's just finding the window film that we can see thru. This window is the only window in the entire house anyone who does not live here can even see in to the house or that we can see out an see beyond our yard so I'd hate to block it with film.

 

[redrosesix]

Roman shades are super easy to make and you can use any fabric, so at least you would enjoy the look of them if they are always kept closed (although you can leave them open a little bit at the bottom without people being able to see in).

We have some that include a liner for windows that are constantly drafty in winter, so that would also keep the heat out for you.