Insulated Drapes for Fall

Fall is a perfect time to think about investing on insulated drapes. Thermal Drapes, insulated drapes, energy-saving drapes whatever you call them, they can keep your home much warmer and lower your energy costs in these coming cooler months. There’s a lot of insulated drapes available in the market so what makes FactoryDirectDrapes.com’s insulated drapes special?

Our insulated drapes:

1. Use a special all-in-one lining that incorporates Total Room Darkening and Insulation. We use a specially engineered lining made out of 70% polyester / 30% cotton base cloth and provides 100% blackout at the window! (same lining we use for hotels and motels)
2. Fashionable Colors and Patterns. All fabrics we carry can have a blackout / insulated lining attached to it.
3. Custom made. We make your insulated drapes to your specifications so it fits your windows perfectly!
4. Totally dry cleanable.
5. Insulated lining is available as Non-Flame Resistant (Non-FR) or Flame Resistant (FR). Our FR insulated lining meets NFPA 701 flame propagation standards giving an additional protection for your home and family.
6. More Fullness. Our Pinch Pleated drapes for example comes 250% in fullness while our Grommet Top drapes comes 200%. You can customize the fullness of your drapes to achieve the finished look you desire. Fuller drapes generally provide more insulation because they include extra fabric and trap more air (a natural insulator) between the pleats.
7. 100% Handmade in America. We proudly manufacture our products right here in the USA.
8. Factory Direct Price. When you purchase your drapes directly from us the manufacturer, this saves you up to 80% retail mark-up. You simply won't find lower price drapery, curtains and valances online!

To order Insulated Drapes / Thermal Drapes from FactoryDirectDrapes.com, click on SHOP NOW, choose your drapery style, choose LINED, choose a fabric, enter the measurements then choose blackout insulated lining.

You might like to sign up for our email notifications by clicking on Newsletter & Promotions. We send out frequent sale notices that can save you a lot of money.

Call us today at 1-866-713-7273 for more details and information regarding our insulated drapery linings and fabrics for your home or commercial space.

Why Eco-Friendly Drapes are Good for You

A customer came to us in search of organic drapes. She ordered ready-made drapes online and had to return it. She said the smell of the drapes is so strong it permeated her entire bedroom and gave her a headache for two weeks.

It is true that drapes can emit toxic chemical smell. Many imported ready-made drapes and curtains are not only constructed with less fabric and cheaply made materials, the fabrics are also treated with formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical.

Organic drapes don’t emit emissions and other volatile chemicals into your home. Many people believe this creates a healthier environment, especially for small children, elderly and those with chronic issues such as allergies and asthma. There are groups that assert VOC’s and other chemicals released from non organic products can be very harmful, and speculate that such pollutants might be responsible for many chronic childhood disorders.

Organic drapes are not only good for you and your home, it’s also good for the environment. Eco-friendly drapes are produced without dangerous pollutions being released into the environment, including our water and soil. None of the eco-friendly and natural drape fabrics we offer at FactoryDirectDrapes.com were subjected to harsh chemical treatments or harmful dyes during the processing or finishing of the fabric. They are 100% certified organic, American-grown, American-spun, American-milled fabrics. All the finishing, dying etc. also takes place here in America. Our organic drape fabrics include: Organic 100% pure cotton, Hemp and Recycled Cotton. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns and can be lined for superior insulation.

Plus, when you purchase an eco-friendly drapes at FactoryDirectDrapes.com, we voluntarily plant a tree on your behalf through the Arbor Day Foundation. These trees are replanted in our Nations Forests that were damaged by fire, insects, and disease. Each customer receives a complementary card from the Arbor Day Foundation announcing that a tree was planted in your name. We’re excited into this partnership and the outcome so far is 419 trees!

All of us at FactoryDirectDrapes.com look forward to your commitment to go green and support American workers by buying Organic drapes from FactoryDirectDrapes.com.

How to Measure for Custom Drapes

Measuring for custom drapes is relatively easy. There are only few things you need to know to ensure the width and height of the drapes is a proper fit for your windows. Never measure an existing drape because you will not get an accurate measurement this way.

Using a retractable metal tape measure, measure across the front of your existing rod from tip to tip. Do not include in your measurements the finials and end pieces. FactoryDirectDrapes.com automatically adds the fullness and the extra material for the brackets at the ends of the rods where the drape returns back to the wall and for the overlap in the middle. This will be your width. For the height, place your tape measure on the top center of the rod down to where you want it to hang. Generally measure a minimum of 4” past the bottom of the window casing to provide sufficient for coverage for privacy and to reduce incoming light. To create a casual feel to a room, drapes should hang down to 1” above the floor or carpeting.

If a drapery rod has not yet been installed, the width measurement should be taken from the inside of the window casing, from one side to the other side of the window. Add 6 inches to the width measurement. This allows your drapes to extend 3 inches on both side of your window casing. Write the total width measurement. For the height, the measurement should be taken from the top inside of the window casing to the bottom inside casing. Add 8 inches to the height of the measurement then round off. This allows your draperies to extend 4 feet above and 4 feet below your window casing. If you have lower ceilings, you can add height to your room by hanging the drapery more than 4 inches above the casing or from the ceiling and barely touch the floor or pool to the floor. This adds the illusion of height.

Need to know more? Visit us at FactoryDirectDrapes.com and click on How to Measure You can also visit our Video Resource Center and watch the short instructional video “How to Measure.” We also have our experts available on the phone M-F 8am-5pm PST to assist you and answer questions on how to measure for drapes. Call us today at 1-866-713-7273.

Spring Clean your Drapes and Curtains

Spring is almost here. Have you started your spring cleaning yet?
Many people overlook the cleaning of drapes and curtains during their spring cleaning because they may appear clean even if they have been hanging for years. Drapes and curtains may not show soil for years and a lot of people believe they should only be cleaned when they look dirty yet drapes collect an immense amount of dust, oil, pollution, smoke, pollen, exhaust gases and bacteria over time.

Cleaning your drapes is necessary to preserve its life and for a healthier home. Have them cleaned according to the care label. You can also send them to a cleaner with experience and specialization in cleaning drapes. This will not only safely and effectively clean your drapes without damage or shrinkage to the fabric but it will also restore its original beauty and appearance.

As a regular maintenance, you should clean your drapes at least once a month using the brush attachment of your vacuum. While using a brush attachment on your vacuum, run it “lightly”up and down the folds and pleats of the drape to remove dust and particles. You can also “spot clean” most drapes with a damp soft cloth that has been wrung out. Do not use soap or detergent as is may leave staining around the spot. Dab away moisture with a clean cloth, air-dry. If the fabric has water spots, fade them with the steam from the garment steamer or iron. Lightly spray Febreeze fabric refresher to make your drapes smell fresh and clean.

In some cases replacement may be less expensive than cleaning. Buying new drapes directly from the manufacturer like FactoryDirectDrapes.com at wholesale prices ends up saving you more money.

Happy Spring cleaning everyone!

How long should drapes or curtains be?

The majority of windows in homes are actually custom sizes. That is why ready-made drapes rarely fit your windows. Investing in custom drape is very important because each drape can be made into the width and height of your windows. To determine how long your drapes should be, consider the look you want to create in the room.

In order to provide sufficient privacy and to reduce incoming light, drapes should hang 6”-8” past the bottom of the window casing. To create a casual feel to a room, drapes should hang down to 1” above the floor or carpeting. Long drapes can totally transform a room. Too-short of a drape can seem off, like high-water pants. Make sure the drapery rod is mounted at least 4” – 6” on top of the window Measure the height of the drapes from the top center of the rod to where you want it to hang then round off.

Floor to ceiling drapes are drapes that hang from the ceiling and barely touch the floor or pool to the floor. This adds the illusion of height especially on a low ceiling room. If you prefer your drapes to puddle, add 6” of additional fabric to your length. Puddle drapes can look romantic and elegant but is high maintenance. Generally we only recommend puddling for decorative drapes. If your drapes are going to be opened and closed regularly, puddling is not recommended as the bottoms of the drapes will get dirty very quickly or even ruined.You may not also want your drapes to puddle if you have pets like cats or dogs who will most likely lie or roll on top the pooled fabric.

Visit factorydirectdrapes.com and click on How to Measure for step by step directions on measuring for width and height of your drapes. You can also visit our Video Resource Center for a video on “How to Measure for Drapery” Our customer service representatives are also available M-F 8am – 5pm PST to answer any questions.

Tie Top Drapes and Curtains

Tie top drapes and curtains create and casual, modern styling that fits beautifully into a variety of decors. As the name of this style implies, the drapery is literally tied to a stationary decorative rod with shoestring, self-fabric ties reinforced into the top of the drapery. The ties tend to add a delicate, but informal, comfortable feel that draws attention to the top of drape while showcasing and accenting a decorative rod or the window trim. The ties can be tied to the drapery rod like a shoelace or in any number of ways and work nicely as functional panels when used with rings. Since they do not open and close as easily as pinch pleated drapes, we recommend it for stationary applications.

All of our Tie Top Drapes and Curtains are HAND MADE IN AMERICA
by our experienced seamstresses who’s been with our company for more than 20+ and 30+ years!
Our fabrics come from textile manufacturers in the US and are available in different patterns and color to complement your decor. Our Tie Top Drapes and curtains come in three major styles: Lined, Unlined and Sheer. Blackout/insulated lining option is available for superior privacy and insulation. It is constructed with 150% fullness and made with 8” ties that provide its unique simplistic style. Every step of the process from fiber to fabric to manufacturing your drapes takes place in the US! We provide lifetime warranty on all of our work. Visit us today at FactoryDirectDrapes.com!

FactoryDirectDrapes.com’s Video Resource Center

If you haven’t visited our Video Resource Center, you’re missing out on a lot of valuable information about drapes and decorating in general. FactoryDirectDrapes.com’s Drapery Resource Center includes over 10 short instructional videos designed to help you, our customers with common questions such as how to measure for drapes, assist in various steps of the decision making process and highlight some of our most popular drapery styles. As a result of decades of experience in drapery industry, we have learned that breaking information down into short instructional videos enhances understanding and makes information easier to absorb.

Visit our Video Resource Center today and let us guide you through a wide range of topics such as measuring and the benefits of insulated drapes and lined drapes. We also feature informational videos tailored to our hotel, motel, and hospitality customers along with our resellers, decorators and contractors.

Pocket Top Drapes and Curtains

Pocket Top Drape is a simple form of drapery yet elegant in appearance. The fullness and body are easily controlled and distributed by pushing the fabric together on the rod or by allowing them to lay flat for an informal but tailored appearance. The simplicity of this style makes it one of the easiest styles of windows treatments to hang with no additional hooks or pins needed. Due to the style of heading construction, Pocket Top Drape is not recommended for areas that require drapery to open and close often. Perfect solution for french doors and smaller windows.

All of our Pocket Top Drapes and Curtains are proudly HAND MADE IN AMERICA. It is made with 150% fullness and comes with 2” pockets at header for a stationary decorative rod or cafe curtain rod to be thread through. It is available in a wide array of fabrics and colors.

There are major three styles of Pocket Top Drape that we offer:

• Lined Pocket Top Drape – They are recommended because of their fuller look, superior insulation, privacy. They also last up to 10-15 years longer than unlined drapes.


• Unlined Pocket Top Drapes – They are a great budget window covering providing superb value. Moreover, if you have to dry clean, unlined drapes are usually less expensive than lined.


• Sheer Pocket Top Drape – They let the light come into your home while giving you the privacy you need. They also provide an airy feel to a room and very economical.

Since 1954 FactoryDirectDrapes.com has specialized in custom drapery, curtains, and valances well known for high quality craftsmanship and long lasting durability. We provide a lifetime warranty on all of our custom drapes.

Grommet Top Drapes

Grommet Top Drapes and Curtains offer a stylish and trendy appearance to compliment your décor. The top of the drapery is accented with functional heavy-duty circular silver or brass grommets which also serve to showcase a clean, decorative rod and finials.

The stationary rod glides through the grommets spreading the drapery evenly along the rod and allowing them to manually open and close with ease. Once installed, the weight of the fabric allows the curtain to fall into subtle rounded folds or pleats. Unlike pinch pleated drapes, Grommet Top Drapes continue the pleat all the way to the top of the drapery hem. This draws your attention upward toward the ceiling and gives a great visual appeal to any room.

We usually recommend Grommet Top Drapes for people who will leave it as a stationary, non-functioning side panels. If the drapes are for areas that require for it to open and close often, Pinch Pleated Drapes are one of the easiest styles to operate. If you love the look of Grommet Top Drapes but are concerned about the functionality, add a shade behind it and consider using it as stationary panels only. This will give you the functionality you require while still getting the look of this beautiful and trendy drapery style.

FactoryDirectDrapes.com's custom Grommet Top Drapes and Curtains are proudly HAND MADE IN AMERICA since 1954. Our high quality Grommet Top Drapes are well known for its craftsmanship, long lasting durability and factory-direct prices. Choose from over a hundred different fabrics and colors and three major styles: Lined, Unlined and Sheer. Grommets are hand pressed to the fabric of your choice allowing it to slide easily along any window rod. Custom widths, lengths and lining options ensure a perfect fit. Choose blackout lining for superior insulation and privacy.

10 Last-minute cleaning tips for the Holidays

Christmas is only a few days away. Is your home ready for Christmas?
Ideally, you’d want to clean days before the holidays with major tasks accomplished daily. If you’re like me, you’d wait until the last minute to finish cleaning up your home. Here are 10 last minute cleaning tips you can do with a little help from family members:

1. Pick up clutter as you walk throughout the house. Put everything in its proper place or throw away stuff you don’t need.


2. Wash windows, clean drapes using the soft brush attachment on your vacuum. Use Febreeze to make it smell fresh.


3. Deep clean bathrooms, brush toilet bowl, wipe mirrors, counters and floors with damp towels. Hang fresh hand towels and put out new hand soap.


4. Clean kitchen. Clean stove top, clean out fridge, discarding leftovers and expired food. Wipe down all large and small appliances. Clean and deodorize kitchen sink and garbage disposal.


5. Vacuum carpets, sweep entry way. Use wet cloths like the ones from Swifter to quickly clean hardwood and laminate floors. It’s easier and more effective than a wet mop.


6. Empty all the trash bins inside the house, clean it up by soaking it in a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. Wipe it dry with a paper towel or let it dry under the sun.


7. Vacuum upholstered sofa and furniture to remove surface dirt. Fluff them after cleaning, this helps keep them in shape.


8. Straighten bedrooms, change and wash bed sheets, comforters or bedspreads. Store personal items out of sight.


9. Clean mirrors and all glass surfaces in the house including front door glass. A convenient and fast way to give your mirrors a beautiful streak-free shine is by using glass wipes.


10. Sweep front steps, put out holiday mat.

Time to pary!

Spruce up your drapes for the holidays

Need to spruce up your drapes for the holidays? Remove dust and particles from your drapes using a brush attachment on your vacuum. Simply place the brush attachment on the end of the accessory hose and run it “lightly” up and down the folds of the drape. You can also “spot clean” most drapes with a damp soft cloth that has been wrung out using distilled water. Do not use soap or detergent as is may leave staining around the spot. Dab away moisture with a clean cloth, air-dry. If the fabric has water spots, fade them with the steam from the garment steamer or iron. Use Febreeze to make it smell fresh.

Most drapes should only be cleaned professionally. NEVER wash your draperies if they labeled “dry-clean only” or they are pleated. If your draperies are labeled “dry clean only,” you should take them to a dry cleaner that has some specialization and experience in cleaning drapes. You can also have an on-site drape cleaning specialist come in to your house to clean and freshen your drapes. These professionals inject a specially formulated solvent into your drapery under pressure and extract the chemical, leaving your drapes clean. This special process results in no damage or shrinkage to the fabric.

Finally, gather the drapes at the top, form the pleats and smooth your hands down the fabric, keeping the pleats extending from the top to bottom. Continue until you have straighten each pleat in the drapes.

Your drapes should now be ready to impress your family and friends for the holidays.

(photo courtesy of bhg.com)

Announcing our New Fabric Arrivals!

We’ve added eight new luxurious fabrics to our collection.
These fabrics are absolutely gorgeous!

Deauville Hunter

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Fiji Antique

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Fiji Celery

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Fiji Hunter

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Isabella Candlelight

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Isabella Platinum

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Kashmir Topaz

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Rafael Silver

Check our Fabrics page often as we are continually adding new fabrics. Since 1954, our family at Factory Direct Drapes™ has specialized in providing products that are well known for high quality and long lasting durability. However, our commitment doesn’t stop there. We are also completely dedicated to excellent customer service and satisfaction.

45% OFF Drapes, Curtains, Rods

For a limited time we are offering 45% Off Everything!! Drapes, Drapery, Draperies, Curtains, Pinch Pleated Drapes, Rods.....everything......

Use the special discount code: 45off0111

We are planting trees!

We want every day to be Earth Day, and by planting a tree for every eco-friendly product ordered we hope to plant 10,000 trees over the next 10 years.

We are planting trees to help make a difference!

With the help of the Arbor Day Foundation, we support Green initiatives by planting a tree in American National Forests for every eco-friendly product order.

We maintain a long standing commitment to consumer safe products, recycling, and using environmentally friendly materials. We strive to protect the integrity of all organic, eco-friendly, and recycled production materials.

Factory Direct Drapes ™ has been committed to going green by:

• Replacing all lights with energy efficient lighting
• Compacting trash to reduce waste disposal frequency
• Recycling paper, cardboard, and our own product manufacturing waste
• Conserving water
  
  Using recycled water and products for manufacturing, and cleaning in addition to using recycled office products.

Benefits of Planting Trees

• Moderate the climate
• Improve air quality
• Conserve water
• Harboring wildlife
• Improve the quality of life'

Drapes - Eco-Friendly, Hand Made in America, Factory Direct

Happy New Year - Customer Testimonial

We thought we'd share a recent testimonial we received from a satisfied customer - complete with picture.


"Beautiful, Beautiful drapes!  They are perfect!  Perfect color, perfect size and I love them.  Thank you so much for all your help...I will definitely pass on the web site to my friends and family.  We have more rooms to remodel, so I'm sure we will be ordering more. Thanks again, and Happy New Year!"

-Beth

This Halloween we are offering 15% Off All Orders! In addition, we are donating $5 per order toward breast cancer research and support.

Use the discount code BOO2009 when you place your order.

Thank you for buying American Made! You are saving American Jobs!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Designer Drapery Tips

Drapery From Floor to Ceiling

Floor to ceiling drapes can be used to add a visual appearance of height to low ceiling spaces. Floor height drapes also "dress up" your room, providing elegant decor to the surroundings.

Free Shipping All Weekend! 

Take advantage of this limited time offer.

Decorating Tip:

One of today's hot trends is to add tall stationary drapery panels that puddle on the floor. This adds class and elegance and makes a beautiful focal point. Just be adding 10" to the length of the drapery will create this look.

Please visit Factory Direct Drapes website at http://www.factorydirectdrapes.com to order the custom made draperies for your home.