Why Are Grommet Panels So Costly?



Why are Grommet Top Panels so Expensive?

 

I get asked this question A. LOT. Grommet top curtains are beautiful! They can take a set of curtains from casual to formal.

 

Grommets come in a variety of finishes: Nickel, Brass, Bronze, etc.

 

 

You can also get them in either metal or plastic with metal, obviously, being the more costly option. At Window Treatments by Melissa, I only use metal grommets. I will use plastic upon request, but metal is the highest quality.

 

 

Grommets are also available in a variety of sizes. 1 3/8", 1 3/4", 1 7/8" and many others. This is where the expensive part comes in. . . 

 

 

To attach the grommets to the curtain, it requires a special tool. This tool is about $500 before all the attachments, which are another $300 or so depending on size. The attachments are bought in a set unique to just one size of grommets. I use 1 1/2" grommets, so the attachment for the machine for 1 1/2" is $300. To use 1 3/4" grommets would require purchasing another set of attachments for $300. To have a variety of sizes would be extremely costly. Additionally, attaching the grommets is extremely labor intensive.

 

Then, the grommets themselves run around $40, +/-, for just one curtain panel.

 

My customers are sometimes shocked when they asked for a quote for curtain panels and I say $44, then they ask to add grommets and the price changes by $100.

 



 

Plastic grommets are a much more affordable option and function just as well. They do not require a special machine and are not labor intensive. They also run about $15 for a set to cover one panel.

 

We only use the metal grommets. I have had many people request grommet tops and it just isn't in the budget. I wanted to present another options to you so you can still have the beautiful look of grommets without the added fees of custom work.

 

 

Swags Galore offers a variety of beautiful grommet top window treatments. They are stylish, more than affordable and there are a few on closeout this week!! Check them out to get your grommet top panels NEXT WEEK! Most of their items are in stock and ready to ship.

 

 

 

If I can't help to provide you custom window treatments, I recommend trying Swags Galore to fulfill your window treatments needs.

 

Happy browsing and shopping. Enjoy!

A more in depth look at the fabrics you choose for your home decor

Here is a more in depth look at the most commonly used fabrics in home décor, how they function, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Cotton- When you are searching for your fabric to use for your custom window treatments, pillow covers or poufs, you if you see any of the following words in the product description it will be made rom cotton: broadcloth, chintz, corduroy, denim, canvas, seersucker, or velveteen names a few.




Cotton is a great choice for home décor because it is absorbent, cool and resists both static cling and moths. It is easy to care for as it can be machine washed, spot cleaned, ironed and bleached.








However, cotton does wrinkle easily, is subject to shrinkage and can be damaged by mildew or sunlight. There are special finishes that can be applied to your fabric to minimize these disadvantages and maximize the performance of your fabric choice.



Polyester- Polyester will be listed in the product description of a fabric either alone or in a blend with the following: cotton, silk or wool-like fabrics including batiste, taffeta, faille or percale. 






Polyester is strong, durable, warm; resists moths, mildew, pollution and wrinkles. It is a great choice either indoor or out as it stands up well to sun damage and fading. It is very easy to care for as it can be machine washed, spot cleaned and does not require ironing.




 
 
 
 
However, polyester is subject to static cling, can stain and attracts lint. But there are finishing products that can be applied to polyester and polyester blends to minimize these disadvantages and maximize the performance of your polyester fabrics.

Linen - Products containing any of the following words will have linen in them: Chambray, lawn, damask or it will be listed alone as linen.

Linen is an absorbent product that is cool and strong while resisting static cling, moths and stains. You can have it dry cleaned to keep its crispness or you can wash it to soften it.

Linen, is subject to wrinkles, shrinkage and mildew and can yellow with age. There are products that can be applied to minimize the yellowing and affects of mildew. 

 

Rayon- Rayon products will contain the following fibers: faille, challis, linen or it can stand alone as Rayon.

Rayon is easy to clean as it can be machine washed and bleached. But it is recommended to dry clean. It is warm, absorbent, drapes beautifully and resists moths.

However, rayon is considered fragile, is subject to wrinkles  and shrinkage, and is not sun or mildew resistant.

 

Acrylic- Fabrics containing acrylic typically are not blended with other fibers and usually stands alone as acrylic.

 

Acrylic is a lighter weight fabric that is soft and warm, but stable. It is durable and resists mildew, moths and oily stains and wrinkles. Care is easy as it can be machine washed and does not require ironing.

However, Acrylic fabrics are subject to static cling, are sensitive to heat and the fibers pill.

 

 

Melissa Recommends!





Trina Turk Kalaheo Print Sulfur from Lynn Chalk

Floor Poufs from Rainey Creek Home

Pre made 84" long semi-sheer curtain panel from Swags Galore



Zippy in Navy and White Slub
 from Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory

Decorating with Polyester

Green and white branch fabric background from Joy By The Yard

Polyester has a bad reputation. It is thought that polyester is cheap in look and quality because it is less natural looking than a cotton or linen. But, polyester is actually a great option for home decor.

 Polyester drapes beautifully and, on curtains, we can usually get away with not lining them. Not only is polyester an affordable option for curtains, but being able to omit the lining will save you an additional $30 per set.

Feder in Ebony from Lynn Chalk

Polyester is a synthetic fiber and is known for being light weight, strong and weather resistant.

Picture from Lynn Chalk

Polyester is also wrinkle free!

Blue and White vertical stripe from Decorate23

While being wrinkle free, stain resistant and draping well because of it's weight, polyester is a great choice for your home decor.

Red Quatrafoil from Joy By The Yard

The shade below is made from two polyester fabrics.

Polyester has come a long way in the past few decades. It is now widely used in home decor and is a great choice for getting the look you want and the print you want at an affordable price.

Look what I found!!

I was looking for some fabric last week for a client. What I was looking for was something bold, bright and expensive looking. The client said, "I want this to look expensive." :) And I found Christine at  Joy By The Yard.

Cream on Green branches

Joy By The Yard caries stylish home decor fabrics, the highest quality. The patterns are bold and modern. Check them out!

Red and Orange stripe

And they have designer pillow covers!

Enjoy the find!

Happy Monday, everyone!

Red Red Red!

New Mom Designs Fabric Store

We are proud to present to our readers a special find in the etsy world. We recently discovered Elvina from New Mom Designs. I came across her shop and was sucked in by all the unique fabrics. I sruck around for a while looking at all the bright colors and different patterns only to discover that SHE MAKES THE DESIGNS HERSELF!

I am absolutely in LOVE with the bold shades of orange and gray in her versions of the chevron stripe. You can either by them by the fat quarter OR by the yard.



And some of my personal favorites

Clover Flower, Blue Cotton

Art Deco Tulip

Magical Fruit


Any of New Mom Designs fabrics will add color and style to your home. Check out her shop and see what you can find!!

Almost everything from her shop is suitable for window treatments.

Enjoy!