Blinds:
Window treatments made of horizontal or vertical slats. These are held in place with string, cord or fabric tape. They can be made of plastic, metal, or wood.

Curtains:
Curtains are unlined window coverings. They do not move. They are hung with a rod or pole and held back with tiebacks. They are usually made with sheer fabric. They vary in length.

Draperies:
Window treatments made of heavy or light fabric. They can be stationary or mobile. They can be used with tiebacks mounted on the side of a window. They usually fall to the floor. They are usually lined with thermal, privacy or blackout lining.

Apron:
Window Molding found below the window sill.

Arched Valance:
This is a window treatment that is arched along the lower edge of the window.

Austrian Shade:
A fabric window covering with soft scallops that run the length of the shade. They move up and down with cords that are threaded through rings.

Awning Windows: These are windows that are hinged on top and they swing outward when they open. They are specifically made by an awning manufacturer.

Balloon Shades: These are fabric shades with inverted pleats and they fall into rounded shapes at the bottom.

Bay window: This is a window that extends outward from the wall and forms a protrusion on the outside of the home.

Box Pleats: These are deep, inverted and tailored pleats. They give a boxy look.

Brackets: These are installation parts that are mounted on the window frame or wall and are used to install the headrail of a window treatment.

Break: The break is where the drapery panel hangs past the finished floor length. It causes a fold in the fabric.

Cafe Curtains: This is a window treatment that covers the bottom half of a window.

Cafe Rod: This is a narrow metal or plastic rod used to hang lightweight curtains.

Cellular Shades: These are also called honeycomb shades and they are fabric shades. They use air pockets for maximum energy efficiency. They insulate from heat, cold and sound.

Center draw:
This is where the drapery rods open and close from the center.

Cascades:
These are side panels and are usually pleated. They can be long or short.

Clip Rings:
These are small metal, plastic or wood rings with a clip used to hang curtains or draperies.

Continuous Cord Loop:
This is a window treatment mechanism that uses a pulley system to raise or lower the shade.

Controls:
Controls are mechanisms that are used to raise, lower and tilt the window treatment. They are usually wands or cords.

Cordless:
This is the window treatment mechanism that raises and lowers the blinds or shades by pushing or pulling on the bottom rail.

Cornice:
This is a decorative wooden or fabric header which is placed above the window to hide the drapery hardware.

Drapery Hooks:
These hooks are inserted into the back of the pleats of the drapes.

Draping:
This is a technique by which the drapes are looped in curves and folds.

Draw Draperies:
These are drapes that hang from a rod and can be drawn open or closed by a cord system.

Finial:
This is a decorative piece that is used to finish the ends of the drapery rod. They are usually made of wood or metal.

Header:This is the top edge of a rod pocket curtain that forms a ruffle when the curtain is on a rod.

Holdbacks: These allow the curtain or drapery to be pulled to one side of the window. They come in all shapes and designs and materials.

Inside Mount: This is where the window treatment is installed inside the moldings that surround the window.

Jabot: This is a piece of fabric which drapes down either side of a valance. It is often pleated and tapered.

Leading Edge: This is the sewn fabric edge at the opening of a window treatment.

Lining:
This is fabric which is used as a backing for draperies. They add fullness to the drapery and are used to control light and offer privacy.

Louver:
This is the part of the shutter that is used to control the amount of light that enters. It is similar to the slats of the blind.

Overlap:
This is the area where drapery panels lap over each other at the center of the rod.

Pleated Shades:
These are shades that are made of single layers of evening spaced pleated fabric.

Puddling:
A long drape that falls to the floor creating a puddle of fabric which offers a soft, full look.

Projection:
This is the distance from the front of the drapery rod to the wall where it is mounted.

Roller Shades: These are shades which are made of vinyl or fabric. They are attached to spring rollers or cluch operations and mounted to the inside or the outside of a window frame.

Roman Shades: These are shades that are drawn up from the bottom with the use of cords or rings. They create horizontal folds when they are raised. They are also offered as a cordless option. The most popular Roman Shades today is flat.

Satellite Eye:
This is the tiny sensor that works with the remote control on motorized blinds.

Sheer:
This is a drapery panel made of sheer fabric which is usually used underneath the outer drapery.

Shutters:
These are paneled window treatments that use louvers for light control. When closed they offer excellent insulation. Basswood is the best.

Slats:
Slats are the part of the horizontal blind that is used to control the amount of light that passed through.

Swag: These are pieces of fabric which are draped over a rod.

Tension Rod:
These rods are adjustable and are spring loaded. They mount to the inside of a window frame.

Tieback:
A tieback holds the drapery fabric away from the center of the window.

Traverse Rod:
They are usually hidden drapery rods that allow the panels to open and close.

Trim: These are decorative cords, braids or fringes. They are applied to the edges or hems of draperies.

Valance: This is a window treatment that covers the top of the window and also the drapery hardware. It is usually gathered on a curtain rod.

Venetian Blinds: These are blinds made of metal or wood and are attached to cloth tape. They use a pulley or cord system.