Careful Calculations and Stackback
There’s nothing like a perfectly-sized drapery rod that is wide enough to allow drapery to completely clear the glass when the drapes are open. To accomplish this it’s important to understand stackback.
Notice how the rod extends past the window opening to accommodate the open drapery and still not be in the way of the furniture that is near the window? That takes careful measuring and planning.
What is Stackback?
Stackback is the amount of space that drapery takes up when it is completely pulled back.
Ideally with the drapery opened, you want the view not to be blocked. To achieve this, it’s important to extend the rod beyond the window opening by more than just a few inches. Of course this is not always an option due to a window’s location, but anytime it can be achieved, it should.
Full reveal isn’t always possible. But a tie-back can be one possible solution.
Measuring is key
When measuring, I help designers consider where the stackback will end up and how much wall space beyond the window opening is ideal to use for stackback. The corner of the room is not the only limiting factor. You also have to consider if the stackback will cover light switches (which you may or may not want). Furniture placement matters too. You will need to have room behind any furniture for the stackback if you intend to have the furniture near the windows.
Another thing to consider is symmetry. So often windows are set in a wall so that they look good on the facade of the home, but that sometimes results in the window not being centered on a wall in an interior. Built-ins can result in the same dilemma.
Then come the calculations
Okay, here’s the secret. Typically stackback is one third of the rod. This is not a hard and fast rule, but it is a useful starting point. But it is not just as easy as extending the rod 1/3 of the distance past the window. Remember as the pole gets longer, the more fabric it takes to cover the pole, and the more stackback it will have. What’s the right balance? That is what I am here to help you with.
FAQ
What is stackback?
A: Stackback is the amount of space a drapery takes up when it is fully pulled back.
So how far past the window should a drapery go?
A: The helpful starting point is that stack back takes up about 1/3 of the finished width of the panel.
This is why I do the measuring for all my jobs and consult with you to determine the best distance to take the fabric past the window given the limitations of the wall. There is no guess work on your part in figuring out how long to make a pole and what will need to be ordered from the hardware supplier.