Comparison of our Cord Drops
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Item |
CDL |
CDW |
CDF |
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Price |
$4.50 |
$2.50 |
$12.50 |
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Length |
2-1/8” |
2-1/2” |
1-3/4” |
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Diameter at
Widest Point |
1-5/8” |
3/4” |
1-1/4” |
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Diameter of
Top Hole |
3/16” |
1/4” |
3/16” |
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Diameter of
Bottom Hole |
1-3/8” |
3/8” |
7/8” |
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Maximum # of 0.9 mm cords |
16 cords |
20 cords |
15 cords |
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Maximum # of 1.4 mm cords |
8 cords |
12 cords |
8 cords |
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Maximum # of 1.8 mm cords |
4 cords |
6 cords |
5 cords |
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Top View of Cord Drops |
Bottom View of Cord Drops |
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Why do we carry more than one type of Cord Drop? Isn’t this just confusing? Each of our Cord Drops is a “best fit” in certain situations.
What to consider when picking a cord drop:
· Color of lift cord – if you are using white lift cord, the white cord drops blend in nicely
· Size of lift cord and number of lift lines – the 1.4 mm lift cord works well with all of our cord drops; the 1.8 mm lift cord presents the biggest challenge since the number of cords that will fit into each cord drop is limited.
· The hardware and wood type on your windows – sometimes you want to match or coordinate the cord drop.
Comparison of Cord Drops
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Item CDL – Large Weighted Cord Drop
This cord drop is made from heavy white plastic, and the center is filled with a metal weight. The top hole is larger than that of the small cord drop, so you can use it on shades that have more than 4 lift cords. I like the fact that it is the same color as the lift cord since it blends in and is unobtrusive. |
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Item CDW – Wood Cord Drop
made of natural pine and has a good feel to it. You could easily paint or stain this drop. One customer paints them to coordinate with her shades and tells me her clients just love them. Even though there is no metal weight inside this drop, the wood body is thick enough that it hangs nicely. The only odd thing about this cord drop is that the bottom hole isn’t much larger than the top hole. You have to work at making an elongated knot with the cords in order to get them up inside the housing. |
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Item CDF – Metal Fluted Cord Drop
This cord drop is a beautiful, heavy decorative cord pull, in a shiny antique brass finish. It goes well with a Roman shade made with decorator fabric. Note that it is quite heavy and I have had this item returned because the customer was afraid it would damage the window if it banged into it. |
Threading Cord into the Cord Drops – The Ice Pick Method
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Braid the lift cords until about 3” to 4” are left on the end where you will be attaching the Cord Drop. Spread the cords out and carefully melt the end of each cord using a match. I run the match along about an inch at the end. This stiffens the polyester cord making it easy to insert into the top of the Cord Drop. Have an ice pick handy. Start poking the cords into the top of the Cord Drop. You can usually get three cords into any of the Cord Drops easily. It is the fourth, fifth and sixth cords that are sometimes hard to insert into the top hole. You can carefully poke those cords into the hole using an ice pick. Be patient and don’t let the cords that are already through slip out. Once all of the cords are threaded through the Cord Drop, knot all of the cords together at the ends, pull tight and cut off any excess. Now pull the Cord Drop down over the knot so that it is hidden inside the body of the Cord Drop.
I suppose I should add the required Safety Notice to the above instructions:
· Be careful to not burn your fingers with the lighted match.
· The polyester cord takes 5 – 120 seconds to cool off, so wait before you touch the end after you melt the tip.
· Don’t poke yourself with the ice pick.
A Comment on Flimsy Cord Drops
I have seen flimsy cord drops that do not have a weight inside of them. They only fulfill one function as far as I am concerned: they keep the end of the cords together and clean. You have gone to a lot to time and expense making your Roman shade. Spend a few extra dollars and finish off the cords with a professional-quality Cord Drop.
