We’ve talked about using our Ruffino Track Rod to traverse long spans as Option 1.  But sometimes the client’s just heart wants what it wants and if a rod and rings are the answer, that is a good thing. Because our HB Option 2 is to go the distance with a rod and rings using Bypass Brackets and cut rings.

Bypass Brackets and Cut Rings are a good option.

This is a low tech but highly effective Drapery hardware technique. They key is to understand what makes the Bypass bracket-cut ring configuration work. The diagram at left shows a side view of a rod, bypass bracket and cut ring. As you can see, the success of the cut ring depends upon keeping the ring in an upright position. This is done by the weight of the drapery treatment.

Be careful with Sheers!

So if your fabric is sufficiently weighty, the rings will be held in the best position for smooth operation. This is why sheers or unlined casement type fabrics are not always the best choice for bypass brackets. Of course there is a work-around or “hack” for this too. Add a chain weight to the hem of the light weight drapery and that will help add the necessary weight.

There’s a catch – literally!

All this being said, we still run into issue sometimes when traversing draperies over the bypass brackets. When you pull the drapery closed, each ring is sliding over the bypass bracket one at a time. However, when you slide the drapery open, the pleats begin to slide together. As you can see in the illustration, when closely stacked, the width of each pleat may be greater that the width of the ring. As the pleats stack, they can actually lift the rings slightly which can cause catching and clicking as they pass over the bypass bracket.

We build our bypass brackets to allow free movement but there are limitations with our cut rings because we don’t want the cut large enough to let the ring come off of the rod.

Take it easy.

The best way to handle this is to slow down to help the pleats move across the bypass bracket. As long as you explain this to your client in advance and they understand the issue, it should not be a problem. Most clients will take it in stride to get the look and function they want. If not, See Option 1!

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