Larrys Valances

[Larryjb]

Here are some pictures of my valances so far. I'm avoiding particle board, but trying to keep weight down as well. (Considering how heavy particle board is anyway, that's not too difficult).

Frame made from .5" x 1" wood stock.
15863

15864

trim added to frame:
15865

Close up of corner. (a nail just happened to hit another sideways splitting a brace. :new_Eyecr

15866

15867

I'll varathane, then install with z-clips. This one is the prototype, so hopefully the rest could be made in a day.

[tentcamper]

which windows will you be installing them on?

[Larryjb]

I'll be putting them above all the clear windows. They only extend out about 3". The next step will be to sand off sharp edges, varathane, install Z clips, and hang them up with curtains.

[HoMiPa]

Those are going to look really nice!

[Larryjb]

Thanks Holly! They're not as fancy as yours, it suits my British ancestory of wood tones and dull colours. I like to think of it as not wanting to distract the eye from beautiful curtains my wife will make.

I also figure some one may wish to use my plan for the structur, then use a different type of trim.

[HoMiPa]

Thanks Holly! They're not as fancy as yours, it suits my British ancestory of wood tones and dull colours. I like to think of it as not wanting to distract the eye from beautiful curtains my wife will make.


I think yours are going to look great - slimmer, more 'refined' than mine. And don't get me wrong - I love wood, and generally speaking, absolutely detest when people paint it! My house was built in 1820 - ten Christian doors that I am removing Lord knows how many coats of paint from. Four down, six to go....... Then there is all the wood trim - door frames, window frames, etc, that I am either removing the paint, or completely replacing them.

[Larryjb]

I hear you about painted wood! I would have stained these a touch darker, but I just don't have time.

[Larryjb]

Ugh. I hate messing up. I was almost done gluing and nailing the trim onto the frames pictured above when I noticed that I had glued the trim onto the wrong face of five valances. Unfortunately, it must be fixed.

[HoMiPa]

Ugh. I hate messing up. I was almost done gluing and nailing the trim onto the frames pictured above when I noticed that I had glued the trim onto the wrong face of five valances. Unfortunately, it must be fixed.

Awww, sorry about that. I hope the glue hadn't dried yet, and you can pop them apart!

I messed up on one of mine by somehow cutting one side piece way too short. I ended up having to buy another board, just to cut a new one. Then, it all worked out because I ended up deciding that the bathroom window didn't need a 5 1/2" deep valance, it really only needed 3". So I cut the short side piece narrower (is that a word?), cut a matching one for the other side, so the bathroom valance is smaller (less deep, and not as 'tall' from the side) than all the others. But it's a small window, in a small space, and the full size one would have look ridiculous.

[Larryjb]

Tite-bond is good stuff. The glue had been drying for less than an hour and the wood around the joints separated instead of the joints. I was able to save most of my wood thankfully. I got most of them assembled tonight. All Ineed to do is Varathane, install Z clips, then install in the trailer.

Z clips are not the most ideal for our trailer, I'm finding. They mount below the load so that any weight tends to torque the clip away from the wall. Clips like what are used for the TM cabinets are more ideal because they are secured to the wall above and below the load.

[HoMiPa]

Z clips are not the most ideal for our trailer, I'm finding. They mount below the load so that any weight tends to torque the clip away from the wall. Clips like what are used for the TM cabinets are more ideal because they are secured to the wall above and below the load.

Hmmmm, hadn't thought of that. I am planning (well, may reconsider now) buying a rivet gun this weekend, to remount all the z-clips with rivets. I'm having a problem with one z-clip. The curb side rear bed window, rear z-clip, is being bent out at 90° every time I open the rear shell. Because I've had to remove it a few times to hammer the z-clip flat, the mounting screws no longer hold. Rather than go to a larger diameter screw, I figured rivets would be the way to go. But first, I have to figure out what it is catching on. I can't figure it out, and you would think the z-clip would damage whatever it was catching on - scratch, or rip, or gouge, something.

[Larryjb]

Valances are done! (Well, have to Varathane, but that's easy work now).

15906

15907

15908

15909

My big goals were:
Make something stronger to hang curtains. Those cheapie Walmart style hooks that screw into the wall were breaking off very easily. If I break them that easily, the rest of my family would take care of them in minutes!

Use real solid wood only. The frames are made from 1/2x3/4" stock

Low profile. These are about 2 1/4 high and deep.

[HoMiPa]

Valances are done!

They look great!

[Larryjb]

Thanks Holly!

The curtains were made by the previous owner. I quite like them, but I do need some room darkening fabric too.