Homeowners building custom residences often overlook window treatments until construction concludes, but industry experts warn this approach leads to expensive retrofits and design limitations. Adrette Window Coverings emphasizes that quality window treatments function as integrated systems requiring coordination with framing, wiring, ductwork, and architectural proportions from the earliest planning stages.
According to the company, waiting until after construction creates multiple challenges. Tall windows and heavy drapery require reinforced framing that must be incorporated during structural phases. Motorized shades need precise electrical wiring installed in exact locations before walls are closed. Ductwork and structural elements must be carefully coordinated to avoid conflicts that become difficult to address once drywall is installed.
Adrette documented these principles in a detailed case study available at https://www.adrette.com/blog/how-to-conquer-the-challenges-of-designing-window-treatments-for-a-custom-built-home. The project involved a custom-designed home with soaring showcase windows, curved interior walls, and a dramatic modern fireplace where window treatments served as unifying elements in an eclectic interior design.
Early collaboration during blueprint review allowed Adrette's Window Fashion Designer Marlys Wiegand to anticipate challenges and plan solutions proactively. Site visits during framing proved critical when ductwork was discovered running through an area intended to support an 18-foot drapery installation. Identifying this conflict before drywall installation enabled the builder to coordinate a solution without delays or redesigns.
The phased design process allowed adjustments as the home took shape. When furniture selections changed room layouts in an office space, the original plan for gliding panels was refined to support the new arrangement without sacrificing functionality. Material testing also proved essential when a selected velvet fabric repeatedly arrived with uncorrectable creasing, leading to selection of an alternative fabric tested in Ripplefold construction before full fabrication.
As custom homes grow larger and more architecturally ambitious, window treatments play increasingly critical roles in privacy, automation, energy efficiency, and visual harmony. The company's website at https://adrette.com provides additional information about their approach. Early planning protects homeowners' vision and ensures all elements work together seamlessly, preventing limited design options, missed automation opportunities, visible compromises, and increased costs that often result from late consideration of window treatments.
