Draperies and Top Treatments - Best material for new window panels?

We just had a new home built and of course we purchased some cheaper window panels. They are tab top & 100% cotton. We don't really like the tab top look which is why they need to go. Another reason is since they are made from a very stiff cotton material, the wrinkles won't go away.

We stopped in at Bed, Bath, & Beyond and saw some pretty nice 100% polyester window panels that seemed to be made of nicer material. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=101160&COL=600&RN=128

Anyhow, we wanted to know what's the best kind of material to go with. They will only be used in the family room so they don't need to be room darkening panels or anything of that matter. We just want something that will look real nice and last for years with minimal maintenance.

If I'm making them, I prefer 100% cotton, but that's because it's easiest to work with and yes it does wrinkle, so it needs to be pressed or steamed. However, with readymades, the fabric really doesn't matter much, as long as you like it, and since you're looking for maintenance free, poly is a good choice. It won't wrinkle and won't need ironing!
The ones you're asking about are a faux silk, so they should have a silky feel, not stiff. Sounds like a good choice. :thumbup:

Thanks for the reply, I'm still going round and round about replacing them. Here's a photo of half my family room with the cotton panels. What do you guys think? Keep in mind that our family room is large around 30 feet long. So we're looking for panels that are more "fuller" or "grand" since the space is so large. Behind where those photos are taken are two more large windows that are combined together, not separated like the front windows.

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5828/img0318mn1.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7141/75404855ih0.jpg

Yes, I think they should be fuller. They should also be longer to avoid the high water look, no more than 1/4" to 1/2" off the floor, or even touching the floor.
If you measure the width of your window/s, then multiply by 1.33, you'll have the preferred length of rod that should be on the window, then the panels should be wide enough so they can be closed (but not flat, if they pulled flat then they're not wide enough) or look like they can be closed.
On the two windows that are next to each other, follow the same principle except they'd have to be twice as wide as the single windows or you can hang one smaller one in the center and two smaller ones on each end (the same size as the single windows).