Draperies and Top Treatments - Sheers on rings

Hi all,

I have a large living room window that I plan on hanging either pinch pleat drapes or pole top drapes on a pole rod hung with rings. I also want to use sheers to filter out the sunlight. My question is, would I hang the sheers the same as I would the drapes? Would they be hung all on the same rod or would two rods be a better choice? I'm a rookie so forgive me if the questions sound silly. I have been trying to decide on a window treatment for the past 4 yrs. however it can get costly and I don't want to make the wrong choices! I was shopping at JC Penny's checking out all the choices they have, from fabrics to colors; styles; lengths; widths; hardware...:confused:you get the picture. It can get be pretty overwhelming. :helpme 2: I'd appreciate any words of wisdom on how to approach this.

Thanks,

Eroz

I prefer to hang sheers and panels on two rods or a double rod, if possible. You can hang both on rings, but I would use smaller rings with a smaller rod (if you go the two rod route) for the sheers.
They both can have a rodpocket, shirred on the rod or you can hang the panels on rings and the sheers shirred on a rod.
Try to have the tops of the panels and sheers pretty even, if possible.
If you shir the sheers on a rod and they'll always be closed, you can just use a plain, white rod, but if not, you'd want one at least somewhat attractive. Double rods are usually not too attractive.
If you go with two rods, you'll have to get the front one with a larger projection, since it needs to extend out 2 more inches the the back rod.
There are a lot of choices and it can be overwhelming. You might want to go to a store and look thru the decorating magazines and books to get some ideas.

Thanks Shadeladie, I appreciate the input. Any websites with plenty of pics, that you might recommend?

Eroz

Here's a few sites that I like looking thru.
BHG (http://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/)
HGTV (http://www.hgtv.com/topics/window-treatments/index.html)
Maybe a few things here CountryCurtains (http://www.countrycurtains.com/jump.jsp?itemType=GATEWAY&itemID=104)

There's a couple of others, but can't think of them right now. I'll post back if I do.

I know kirsh has a few options for using a wood pole with a standard traverse rod behind it.. I have seen it done in faux rod/ring traversing rod or real wood rod for the drape with a standard white traverse behind it for the sheer, both utilizing the same hardware.

Its a nice clean look for the perfectionist but most people wont care if you have 2 separate rods, especially since if done right you should only see 1 or 2 of the center brackets for your sheer.

whatever you decise you will need a drape bracket with a 6.5'' + projection and your drape needs to be made with wall returns of the same projection so you dont have a giant gap on the left and right of your curtain. Ideally the sheer behind it should be made a 1/4'' shorter than your drape to prevent the sheer from peeking out from under your drape.

Getting the ideal lengths exactly right is not an easy task for someone trying to do this on their own when dealing with 2 different styles of hardware/drapes.

whatever route you take I would recommend getting both your rods up first and hanging the curtain. Then have your sheer made or altered to the exact size you need.