Board Mounted Valances
Gallant Board Mounted Valance
Gallant Board Mounted Valance in Colburn, color Mineral with spa blue fringe
$227.20
Custom Board Mounted Valances – Maryland, Virginia and DC Homes
A board mounted valance is the final touch that makes a functional window treatment into an architectural quality window treatment. Draped over the bare window or stacked over the current window treatments like blinds, shades, or curtain panels, these custom window treatments are mounted directly onto a fabric-wrapped board above the window frame, they provide hardware coverage, visual height, colour, texture and structure, creating a sense of cohesion and harmony in the room.
Buy Home Blinds is a Maryland, VA & DC custom board mounted valance company. Each valance features a unique window width, hem style, fabric and lining which are custom-made to fit your window exactly, something that window toppers can’t offer.
Free shipping on all orders. All products with limited lifetime warranty. Design consultation available in the DC metro area free of charge.
Shop our board mounted valance collection above, request free fabric samples, or call 301-847-7000 to speak with a window treatment specialist today.
Board Mounted Valances vs. Cornice Boards vs. Rod Pocket Valances
Knowing the difference between the Top Treatment Types, you can select the best treatment for your window and room.
A board mounted valance is a fabric wrapped board mounted as the face fabric and finished in the front and sides of the board. The outcome is a soft and draping fabric with a structured and wall mounted installation. It is securely placed above the window, will wrap around the header and any hardware below, and will form an architectural “straight line” at the top of the window opening.
A cornice board (also called an upholstered cornice) is a box-shaped structure (all fabric or wood-framed) that is attached to the window with hard, defined edges on each side. It offers more of an architectural, stiff appearance than valance and works best in rooms where a boxy, tailored appearance is desired over softness in the fabric.
A rod pocket or valance mounted to a rod that can be gathered into soft folds. It’s the least serious of the three, and can’t be used for long runs of track systems or heavy equipment.
If you are looking for a look that is more custom than standard, professional hardware coverage, and a variety of fabric styles and hem options, a board mounted valance is the most versatile and practical choice for most Maryland homeowners, Virginia, and DC homeowners.
Sizing and Drop: How to Measure for a Board Mounted Valance
When it comes to a board mounted valance installation that’s professional and not a guess at size, correct sizing is the most critical attribute. Here are the key guidelines:
Width: A board mounted valance should be at least two inches wider on each side than the window trim to cover and create a finished appearance. If layering over drapery panels, run the valance board 4-6 inches wider on both sides to prevent curtain panels from touching the glass.
Drop (length): One-fifth to one-sixth of the overall window height from the top of the board to the sill, is the standard valance drop. The average valance drop is 10 to 12 inches for windows that are 60 inches tall. Scalloped and swag should be measured at the bottom of the hem. If the valance hangs over drapery panels, the drop should be about 1/6 of the curtain drop.
Board depth: A standard board with a valance has a 3.5″ to 4” deep mounting board. This depth ensures that there is clearance over most of the roller shade, cellular shade and blind hardware installed under them.
During the free window design consultation, our in-home experts measure each window and determine the width, drop and board depth for each valance.
Layering Board Mounted Valances with Blinds and Shades
Board mounted valances have their best effect when layered over an effective window cover. The most common layering options when it comes to homes in Maryland, Virginia and DC are:
Board Mounted Valance Over Roller Shades
Shade to filter or blackout light during the day, and the valance to cover the roller mechanism, and to add colour and texture at the top of the window.
Board Mounted Valance Over Cellular Shades
Cellular Shades provide insulation and room darkening, and valance provides a decorative, custom designed finish to make the shade the complete window treatment.
Board Mounted Valance Over Faux Wood Blinds
Valance is used to cover the headrail and will add softness to the hard lines created by the wood blinds, providing a layered effect of hard and soft elements.
Board Mounted Valance With Drapery Panels
Valance spans top of window over stationary or functional drapery panels to provide a complete window treatment that is fully composed of board.
Room-by-Room Board Mounted Valance Recommendations
Living Room
A box pleated or flat board mounted valance in a medium weight linen or cotton fabric over a roller shade or cellular shade. A straight or arched hem will maintain a clean and transitional look. Select a fabric that matches your sofa or accent cushions, to help tie in the room.
Dining Room
A swag and cascade valance hangs above drapery side panels using a formal fabric with a silk blend, textured velvet, or structured jacquard to create a fully dressed window treatment to match the importance of the dining room.
Bedroom
A pleated board mount valance in blackout fabric (with or without blackout roller shades) creates a clean and tailored look while offering the ultimate light control. A scalloped or arched hem tone down any room without making it too formal.
Kitchen
A flat or scalloped board that is mounted valance in a performance cotton or polyester fabric with no layered shade underneath. Short drop, which is 8 to 10 inches, will leave the valance off the countertop. Fabrics are suggested that are easy to spot clean.
Why Maryland, Virginia, and DC Homeowners Choose BuyHomeBlinds for Custom Board Mounted Valances
We operate from our office in Beltsville, MD and provide service throughout the entire Washington DC metro area including Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Chevy Chase, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Washington DC. All boards mounted on valances we provide are custom-made to your window width, board depth, hem style, fabric and lining; there’s no approximation of a standard size.
- Expert fabrication to your precise dimensions, every order
- Free shipping on all purchases, no minimum order required
- All products are covered by limited life warranties
- In-home design consultation, free of charge (expert comes to your home, measures all windows, shows you fabric samples, recommends styles, hem shape, drop, and layering)
- Our own staff professionally installs – no subcontractors
- Finding coordinating decorative hardware and trim options
Give us a call today at 301-847-7000 or schedule your complimentary in-home consultation online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Board Mounted Valances
What is a board mounted valance and how is it different from a cornice board?
A board mounted valance is a fabric-wrapped mounting board on which the face fabric is attached and finished to provide a soft, defined top treatment that helps to combine fabric drape with a rigid wall mount. It is common for cornice boards to be fully enclosed, and to have hard defined edges on all sides giving a more architectural and rigid look; this is a cornice board (upholstered cornice). Cornices are more boxy and rigid, board mounted valances are more fabric and soft. Both add visual height to windows and hide the hardware.
How wide should a board mounted valance be?
To cover the window and to ensure a finished appearance, a board mounted valance should be at least 2 inches wider on both sides of the window trim. If used to cover a drapery panel or wide roller shades, add four to six inches to each side of the board so treatments below will not bunch. During a free window design consultation, our in-home experts recommend what the ideal window width should be for each window.
How do I choose the right drop length for my board mounted valance?
The rule of thumb for valance drop is to drop the valance one-fifth to one-sixth of the total window height. That equates to 10 to 12 inches drop on a window that’s 60 inches tall. In scalloped and swag styles: measure the drop from the bottom of the hem. If using drapery with layers, the valance drop is around 1/6 of the total curtain drop. These are just starting points, which will depend on personal preference, ceiling height and room scale. During the in-home consultation our professionals recommend what drop is best for each room.
Can board mounted valances be used alone without a shade or blind underneath?
Yes. Single window valances can be hung in a formal room or on a window that is not primarily a window of glass; such as a picture window, a window with a high transom or a window in a room that is not functional. If the fabric used is the only consideration, then any incoming light will go through the fabric or over the top of it, but not under the valance, so it is not a functioning shade.
What fabrics work best for board mounted valances?
Cotton, linen and cotton linen are the most popular fabrics for board mounted valances because they drape nicely, press well, and stand up on the board. Bold prints, geometric patterns and large scale fabrics are readable on the smooth face for flat and scalloped styles. Solid fabrics and subtle textures facilitate building the valance itself, especially for the pleated and swag styles where less is more. In kitchen and bathroom valances, since moisture and easy cleaning are important, performance polyester blends are recommended. Request free fabric samples to view fabric options in your home prior to ordering your custom fabric.
How are board mounted valances installed?
Board mounted valances are attached to the wall over the window frame by the use of the L-bracket or angle iron. The board is usually mounted 3–6 inches above the window sill so as to impart an elevation to the window frame. The valance is then stapled or looped on top and below the board. Correct mounting is essential; the board should be level, secure, and the appropriate height to provide the desired look. As part of our complete installation service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC, our professional installation team will handle mounting and levelling.
Can board mounted valances be layered over motorized shades?
Yes. Board mounted valances work great with motorized roller shades, cellular shades or solar shades installed underneath. The shade’s motorized headrail is hidden by the mounting board which is above and forward. We install both motorized shade and board-mounted valance as a coordinated layered system, with proper valance to shade system clearance.
How do I coordinate a board mounted valance with my existing decor?
When ordering the most sure-fired way is to bring a swatch of your existing fabric, the upholstery or predominant color from your room. Valance fabric can be a coordinating solid or a subtle texture in the same color to balance and complement patterned upholstery or patterned wallpaper. A valance fabric with a pattern or texture adds interest to the room when the furniture is solid or neutral. We have a fabric coordination service that is included in our in-home design consultation where our specialist brings samples to your home and helps you figure out the combination of fabrics for each room.
Ready to Add the Finishing Touch to Your Windows?
Say goodbye to mundane, run-of-the-mill window treatments and hello to a custom designed valance that is built exactly the way you want, shipped to your Maryland, Virginia, or Washington DC home for free and backed by a limited lifetime warranty from Buy Home Blinds.
Shop our board mounted valance collection above, order free fabric samples, or call 301-847-7000 to book your free in-home design consultation today.