Need curtain help. I'm a hardware man, lost in the world of soft ware, at home.?

Don't worry, the old style stuff is mostly still available. Not always identical to what it was, so replacing a missing piece isn't always possible, but you can get hardware that does what you want. It sounds like what your mom has is vertical blinds, which are the single strips that attach at the top. It may be that the plastic hardware has deteriorated in sunlight and keeps breaking, and often the chain and weights that are supposed to be on the bottom edge aren't doing what they should for the same reason. If they slide off the ends, then the hardware that's supposed to prevent that is missing or broken. If you have talked her into completely new draperies only because you're tired of dealing with them but she's still okay with the vertical blinds, it should be possible to have new sliders and blinds installed on the old track. Making sure you have the right replacement parts is the hard part. Vertical blinds have some advantages on a sliding door if you want to have a bit of breeze come in without opening an entire drapery.

If you want someone to walk you through it so you can install it all yourself, or even someone to just come and hang the damn curtains for you, look in your phone book under "drapery", or possibly "window coverings" or "blinds". Many companies do anything that covers a window. There are companies out there that will do it all, from making the drapes to installing the hardware and the drapes, and in many cases you don't even have to leave the house. They will come and consult as to what you want, go away and get it all ready, then come back and install. Of course all that service comes with a price. It might be worth it to you. Hanging drapes can be a trial if you're not used to that sort of thing. So can ordering or buying the right length. An inch or two off and your drapes puddle unbecomingly on the floor or they have that flood pants look.

The same companies will probably also sell the hardware for hanging drapes. You can also buy it at many stores like Wal-mart, and at fabric stores, but often their product range is limited. And you won't get much advice at Wal-mart. Home Depot does window coverings too, and they have people there who can advise. I haven't checked but I'm sure they install too. Note that if you want to expose the entire window when the drapes are open, you'll need drapes and rod that cover at least a foot either side of the slider opening.

What a great son you are!!! You are doing her a favor by getting rid of those vertical blinds. Draw draperies & draw drapery rods are definitely still available at Penney's. I suggest getting a decorative draw rod. You can also get a decorative double draw rod if she would like to hand sheers under the drapery. The draperies are called pinch pleat, & there are even several styles of pinch pleat. JC Penney has a free in home drapery consultation service - simply call them & ask for them to connect you. For an 8' expanse, she may need their help. I recommend Penney's all the time to my clients - they do a great job. BTW, draw draperies are still very much in style & are very elegant. Call them today @ 1.877.509.4636.

i know which ones you are talking about but the better ones that last long are the curtains that have eyelet holes built in and the slide through the pole so no clips or rubbish is needed

they are easier to install, look really sleek and to wash them you just slide them off the pole, they are a reasonable price heres a link to some good images

http://search.next.co.uk/shop/atttype-eyelet-cat-c...

but if you want to stick with the cutains as described try amazon they do all sorts there

Lots of curtain panels here.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/stylePage.asp?RN=2...