Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I speak to someone in person?
- Of course! We are available to answer your questions (Monday - Friday) via chat, telephone, or email. When you get in touch you'll be assigned a personal member from our design team who will take care of your questions or your order, from the initial enquiry to the final stages.
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How are the draperies made?
- Our draperies are made from 100% European Linen sourced from some of Belgium’s finest linen mills. Each drapery is stitched on demand in Mexico and we’re very proud of the positive economic impact we are making there. We scoured the globe to find the the most gifted artisans and their families to produce a mix of traditional and modern style to create a truly unique window covering. We found what we were looking for in Mexico, and now we work harmoniously together, improving economic opportunity to the people who craft our products.
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What’s the difference between standard drapery and custom drapery?
- We can’t tell you how many times clients, friends, or neighbors of ours express how their draperies have completely changed the look and feel of their space for the better. Drapery can not only frame your windows, but can give your home that cozy, finished feel that we all crave. Although standard drapery comes in standard sizes, the unfortunate fact is that custom draperies for most times are just not affordable. Until now!
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What drapery styles do you offer?
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We currently offer six styles: Ripple Fold Drapery & Sheers, Metal Grommet, Pinch Pleat, Euro Pleat. & Inverted Pleat. Below are descriptions of each of them:
- The Ripple Fold Draperies & Sheers from ALVA are truly one of a kind! They are incredibly functional, easy to operate, and glide effortlessly along a track (included). Ripple Fold Draperies come in 200% fullness, while our Ripple Fold Sheers are designed with 220% fullness.
- The Grommet style comes in 180% fullness, & features hand-pressed grommets in Chrome, Satin Nickel, Polished Brass, & Antique Brass. If your design style lends itself to be more modern then this is definitely the style of drapery for you!
- Our Pinch Pleat style draperies feature pleats pinched (4") inches from the top & comes in a 200% fullness. It provides a structured and formal look. Great for living rooms or formal dining rooms.
- The Euro Pleat style draperies are pinched at the top for a waterfall effect, and gives your space a contemporary, yet timeless look. The style is more casual than a traditional pinch pleat, but still has a nice tailored look. This style drape is good for a living room, formal living room, master bedroom, and/or dining room.
- The Inverted Pleat style drapery features hand-stitched inverted pleats, creating a more relaxed style. Also constructed with 200% fullness, this styles is primarily a decorative style, & not ideal for frequent use.
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What’s the ideal length of a drapery panel?
- Your drapery length should reflect the style of the room—whether it's a dramatic entryway or a thought-provoking kitchen. Drapery panels designed to hang to ½” above the floor are usually considered the most casual, while those that puddle on the floor give a more romantic, bohemian look. You may also choose a length that just breaks at the floor. Remember to consider if the location is a low traffic area, or will be around pets & kids.
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Do you sell drapery rods and rings?
- We currently sell drapery rods only for Ripple Fold Drapery & Sheers, manufactured in Germany. We're working with manufacturers all over the world to enhance our rod selection for our other styles, and are sure you're going to love what what we come up with! We do provide the metal hooks that attach to the back of the drapery panel in order to hang from the rings.
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How many rings will I need, and how do I attach them to the drapery?
- We provide 8 metal hooks for every 50" wide panel. So if your panel is 100" wide, you would be receiving 16 hooks. Insert the pointed edge of each hook into the back tape. We recommend that you place each hook about 6" apart.
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What situations are Roman Shades best used?
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Where a more streamlined look is desired or space is at a premium, Roman shades — fabric window treatments that stack neatly at the top of the window when retracted — may be an excellent solution. Whichever fabric and style you choose, you can be confident in making a dramatic statement for windows that call for color on the inside and a white or tan backing on the outside.
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Are Roman Shades easy to use?
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For the most part, yes. But it does depend on the style. Certain styles of Roman Shades (Flat, Cascade, Pleated and Front Slat) are very easy to operate and ideal for everyday use. However, our other styles of Roman Shades (Tulip and Relaxed) are more decorative and a little more high-maintenance to operate on a daily basis. Consider what’s more important to you before making your decision.
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What are the Roman Shades styles you offer?
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We currently offer six styles: Flat, Cascade, Relaxed, Front Slat, Pleated, & Tulip style. Below are descriptions of each of them:
- The Flat style has no horizontal seams & is an excellent choice when using fabrics with large patterns because of support rods that allow it to fold neater and lie flatter than other shades.
- The Cascade style is crafted with pleats and dowels stitched to create a well structured look. When raised, it folds to form a single stack. Please note that back pockets will slightly interrupt the pattern of the fabric.
- The Relaxed style lies flat when lowered and will always have a gentle, decorative, inverted arch at the bottom. All stitching to attach the cord rings are hand sewn into the fabric. A slight threading may be noticed on the front of the shade. Please note, this options is designed for an outside mount only. Manual adjustment may be needed to achieve the desired arch at the bottom.
- The Front Slat style features horizontal dowels on the front of the shade to create a more defined structured look. Rings are then attached to the underside of the pocket and flexible rods are added to give the shade more weight to enhance the visual effect as well as its functionality.
- The Pleated style falls in soft folds at 6” intervals. Each fold has a hidden rod on the back for additional support. The fabric design may be interrupted when folded, take this into consideration when picking a fabric for your Hobbled Shade.
- The Tulip style adds a touch of sophisticated elegance to any room. Characterized by two inverted pleats that sweep the lower edge into a curve, this decorative design is requires skilled craftsmanship to look its best.
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Is the Roman Shade hardware included with the shade?
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Absolutely. We provide all the necessary mounting hardware to install your new custom roman shades. The side portions of the hardware is covered with the roman shade fabric to create a consistent continuous look when looked from the side.
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Do you make custom draperies?
- Each drapery is custom made and hand-assembled specifically for your project. Our process will allow you to customize the length and width, pleat style and lining preference.
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Why do your custom draperies cost less than that of other high-end home decor retailers?
- For too long, beautifully made drapery meant a premium price to accommodate the high margins of traditional retailers. With Alva, we set out to reinvent that process by directly working with factories & mills. We visit them often, and build strong personal relationships with the owners and craftsmen. Our hands-on approach is the most effective way to ensure our products integrity, at a fraction of the going price.
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I don't want my drapery to look flat when drawn in. How do determine fullness of the panel?
- With drapery, the rule of thumb is always to get appropriate fullness (recommended 2x or more fullness) to make sure the folds and pleats form well, creating a well gathered look. Here's how you calculate it: For Soft top draperies, measure the entire length of the drapery rod (if you have rods installed). If you don't have rods installed, measure the horizontal width of the window/door and add 8-10" on each side for rod to extent. The width you get should be the width of each of your panel to achieve a 2x fullness (always recommended for a well gathered, fuller look). You could choose to go with 1.5x fullness too.
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Do you offer Installation Services?
- Yes, we do offer installation services in specific zip codes. To find out if the service is available in your area, please email us at support@helloalva.com
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Are all your draperies lined?
- Except for Sheer Linens, all of our drapery panels are privacy lined by default. The lining is always sewn directly to the drapery. We use blackout lining as well if you prefer complete sun blockage. You can choose to line your sheer linen panels, too.
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What types of lining do you offer?
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We offer:
Privacy Lining that provides privacy and partial sun blockage. We also use Blackout Lining that blocks out light entirely. Since blackout lining is thicker than privacy lining, it results in added volume to the drapery panel. Caution: Do not to iron directly on the blackout liner
Blackout Lining: Blocks 99% of light for complete privacy and great insulation adds body, weight and protects the material from fading. This lining is works well for rooms where light blockage is desired, like a nursery or bedroom. -
Do liners have any impact on drapery how a drapery looks?
- Yes. Linings on lightweight fabrics ensure they hang well. Thicker fabrics are given an extra boost, resulting in a more tailored effect. If your thinking of going with sheers for the “airy” look, then we suggest you go without a liner.
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Can sheers be lined?
- Yes. Sheers can be lined for additional privacy. For our sheer linens, we offer off-white lining that complements the fabric.
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Can I change my shipping address once my order is placed?
- Contact us within 30 minutes of placing your order during normal business hours Monday – Friday 10:00am – 5:30pm EST
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How much does shipping cost?
- We are pleased to offer complimentary domestic ground shipping on all US orders. For oversized products (94" or over in width), we'll contact you by phone and email to collect a shipping fee.
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When can I expect to receive my order?
- All draperies are custom stitched and shipped to you within 10 business days. For fabrics that are out of stock, it may take longer. All other products ship within 2 business days.
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What is the Home Try-Out program?
- We realize that it is not always easy to make a selection from a small fabric swatch. With our HOME TRY-OUT Program you can rent our sample panels for $10 each, keep it for 7 days, see how it plays with your decor and make a decision based on that. You may keep the panel for 7 days and upon return of the panel, we will issue a refund if you decide to place your order with us. Sample panels are 25"W x 50"L
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Do you offer services for business or interior designers?
- We are proud to offer exclusive trade pricing and services. To learn more or to sign up for our trade email newsletter, please visit our Trade Page.
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Are you hiring?
- To learn more about current opportunities at Alva, please visit our Careers Page.
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How do I apply for a trade account?
- Click here to complete our partners application. You will receive notification of your membership status within two business days.
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Who qualifies to join your trade program?
- Our program is open to real estate agents, developers, interior designers, architects and professionals in the hospitality industry.
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What credentials do I need to apply to the trade program?
- You will need to submit one or more of the following: Real Estate License, Resale License, Business License, membership to a major design organization (i.e. ASID) or Interior Design Certification (i.e. NCIDQ).
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Do you have a minimum order quantity to open a trade account?
- No.
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What is your trade discount?
- We offer 15% off retail prices. Members also enjoy free shipping and returns, complimentary swatches and access to exclusive trade events and product previews.
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What is The Alva Happiness Guarantee?
- ‘Satisfaction guaranteed’ is all fine and dandy. But we'd much rather you be absolutely THRILLED with your order, so we go to great lengths to make that happen.
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What if I measure incorrectly?
- Measure twice, cut once is a good adage but it isn’t always true. If you find that your measurements were slightly off don't fret! We will work with you to find the best solution. Your window treatment may qualify for a free cutdown. If it cannot be re-sized we will replace the product in the right size and give you a 50% discount (offer valid for 30 days after your installation).
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What if I don’t like what I ordered?
- If you receive something that you don’t like, we will do everything possible to rectify the issue. For starters, we will remake or repair the product to your liking. If you simply feel you selected the wrong product or material, we will let you choose something else and give you 50% off the new product (offer valid for 30 days after your installation). Bottom line, it is our mission to satisfy each and every customer and we will do whatever is necessary to accomplish that goal.
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What does the Lifetime Guarantee cover?
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What’s COVERED:
- Alva window treatment products are covered for defects in materials, workmanship or failure to operate for as long as the original retail purchaser owns the product.
- All internal mechanisms.
- Components and brackets.
- Fabric delamination.
- Operational cords for a full 3 years from the date of purchase.
- Repairs and/or replacements will be made with like or similar parts or products.
What’s NOT covered:
- Any conditions caused by normal wear and tear.
- Abuse, accidents, misuse or alterations to the product.
- Exposure to the elements (sun damage, wind, water/ moisture) and discoloration or fading over time.
- Failure to follow our instructions with respect to measurement, proper installation, cleaning or maintenance.
- Shipping charges, cost of removal and reinstallation.