Both valances and cornices are a form of window treatments with distinct difference to aesthetic appeal and functional features.
Cornice window treatments are projecting crown moulding, especially on a building or veranda. Cornices can be used to add a touch of elegance to a room, as a visual interest or simply to block unwanted light.
A valance is also a window treatment. It gives a decorative touch for the top of a window that consists of a wood top board, a fabric front and sides that dangle from the top board, featuring both flat swages and pinch pleats.
Cornices might prove a more decorative architectural component than a simple valence, but they blend naturally with the existing design of your room. And since a wood fascia board and soffit around an exterior wall could function as a highly decorative cornice without any supporting structure above or below it. Valances that would hang loose to the entire length of a wall were especially popular on high-style Victorian houses from around 1870 to 1900, but also found some popularity in other styles of architecture as well as with designers of interiors for public buildings such as hotels and railroad stations.Modern architects sometimes reject cornices because they want buildings to have an "open" feel. They don't like the way structural components such as beams, columns, and moulding follow each other up to the roofline. In modern designs, this architectural element is no longer present, but rather replaced with simple composite material panels that are functional for insulation.
Valances are suitable in traditional designs with good support from the ceiling, floor, or walls. The only structural element that supports valances is their attachment to an angle-in this way they are comparable to cornices because there is no need for additional support structures. Valances can be beautiful when used appropriately on windows, but are often thought of as unnecessary by modern standards.
Valances are practical choices in situations where aesthetics and visual interest are desired without added bulkiness. For instance they add texture to a room and give windows more of an open feeling than using blinds and curtains alone with a fully decked out window and also help to hide window treatment hardware underneath. They also add softness and provide protection from drafts while letting light shine through, which makes them most useful for windows that are not on the ground level. Designers suggest layering window treatments to mirror the aesthetic look of a valances that also provides more privacy than other window coverings, so they are best suited for rooms where more seclusion is desired. Valances instantly create interest when hung around a bed allowing light to enter without disrupting sleep, and their placement over an elevated window keeps sunlight out. These can be used in kitchens where cooking odours, grease splatters, or steam may accumulate on windowsills if left untreated. This way they can protect furniture from damage while adding some style to rooms.
Victorian designs tend to have a soft appearance using ornate cornices and decorative details with unnecessary supports.
Themed valances follow a specific theme from their material attached to the amount of detail used. Typically, themed designs use different fabrics with various shapes, patterns and colour shade option that would not usually be combined in any other capacity. While popular for decorating bedrooms or offices, these designs help make a space feel more cohesive and less "messy" providing a soft feel.
With fabric hanging freely from the window, a simple valance can increase the aesthetics of a room when complemented with other window treatments too. Such as you can install wood blinds as a primary window treatment with your valances. For a handy guide to blinds and curtains, take a look at this guide from the New South Wales Department of Fair Trading.Valance fabrics are usually made of cotton, polyester, or silk. While most drapes are made of high-quality synthetic fibres that are stain-resistant, provide a soft feel, and are easy to wash, traditional admirers may prefer cotton valances because they look more "natural" and less fake than many other valance designs. Silk is also a popular material for valances because it has the advantage of being both durable and attractive. It can be used on its own or with other fabrics. Polyester blends are cheaper but tend to look more artificial than others. Window treatment valances can hang from top plates, drapery panels or cornices using attachment methods such as clips, rings, ties, tacks, ribbons or cords. Valance attachments help determine how much versatility is available for hanging valances. Attachment methods do not affect the appearance of valances, but it is important to pick one that will work best with all styles and structures in your home. For example, curtain or drapery rod (also known as a drapery panel) and clip attachments are easier to use with many different fabrics because they only require clips placed on top of each other where they overlap; however rings make it possible to move the cloth around more easily by sliding it up and down the cornice. Many modern designs also include adjustable fasteners for maximum flexibility.
As with any fabric covering, valances give rooms their own unique style depending on the type of cloth used and can make the room as beautiful as with a fully decked out window. Some materials look natural and have a soft appearance while others can appear heavy or rigid depending on how they are made and what they are attached to. Natural and neutral fabrics work best in rooms where a classy or romantic look is desired, but bolder styles can be used in kitchens for a more functional design while concealing window treatment hardware. Valance widths vary widely depending on the kind of window covering being hung, as well as aesthetic tastes. In most cases, valances are longer than curtains. With fabric hanging freely from the top of the windows, they are often twice as tall as drapes made from the same material would be. For instance, if curtains make the room look too dark an opaque fabric should be avoided. Instead, try matching them with valances that will increase light coverage without overpowering a room's other decorating choices.
The first step to hanging valances with a curtain or drapery rod is to ensure that the window frame will accommodate them. A valance with a cornice that is larger than the window's frame needs to have enough extra fabric to cover the sides without being too baggy or tight when tied back. This can be achieved by making sure there are adequate amounts of excess fabric on both ends of the valance, which can be hidden by hanging it near the ceiling. When the valance is attached to a ring, adding clip-on loops helps make up for any variation in the size of the window frame. The next step is to determine how much space you want between your valance and your curtains, if you choose to use them together. This decision mostly depends on what look the client wants; if they don't want their room overwhelmed by fabric, then they might opt for a narrow gap between them. If luxury and elegance are desired, try having even amounts of space above and below through each layer so that it appears as though there is no wall at all.