Introduction to Cornices

Cornice Detail There are two types of manufactured cornices which look similar, but upon closer inspection, differ in a few critical areas. They are known as the cornice and soft cornice.

A cornice is a padded frame made of plywood or particle board for the face. The top, or dust cap, and sides are constructed from ¾” solid board, which is then padded and upholstered.

Soft cornices are constructed in a similar fashion to cornices, except there is no plywood or particle board for the face. The face is soft and has some type of stiffener between the fabric and the lining to give it something of a cornice effect.

There are business rules when talking about cornices, just like the other categories. When the term “cornice” is used, the workroom is advised that the face, top, and sides are made from solid wood and then upholstered. If the face needs to be soft, call it a “soft cornice”. The soft cornice is not a widely used manufacturing method, and therefore it is advisable to check with the workroom regarding their policies for manufacturing them. Cornices are installed with angle irons or L-brackets.

Fabric allowances are the same for both types of cornices, but the quality of the construction is totally different from one to the other, and therefore prices vary from hard to soft.

To learn more about designing and specifying cornices, refer to chapter 6 in the book Elements of Soft Treatments

Cornices are divided up into sub-categories which consist of:

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Plain Straight	This is the most basic cornice style, where the top and bottom of the cornice is straight and it has straight sides.
Shaped Bottom - Repeating Patterns	This cornice style has a straight top and sides with a shaped bottom pattern that is the same and repeats itself along the width of the cornice.
Shaped Bottoms - Proportional Shapes	This cornice style has a straight top and sides with a shaped bottom pattern that is one single pattern and scaled to fit along the width of the cornice.
Shaped Ends	Cornices in this category will have sides which are shaped. The side shaping may or may not include the cornice returns, this specification must be specified separately as a workroom detail. Bottoms of these styles may or may not be shaped.
Rounded Ends	This style usually has a straight bottom but the ends are rounded.
Shaped Tops	Any cornice with a shape along the top edge will be in this category
Specialty Cornices	Specialty cornices include any cornice styles of an unusual nature which have been numbered and identified as commonly used styles, but which do not fall into any of the other previously established categories. Some examples would be cornices which require multiple layers of framework, mouldings, or other unusual features.
Cantonniere	A Cantonniere has side legs that extend most or all the way to the window sill or apron, but do not go all the way to the floor.
Lambrequins	A Lambrequin has side legs that extend all the way to the floor.

General Information

Dust caps of cornices are typically constructed of 3/4” pine board
Dust caps are covered in lining unless otherwise specified
Face of cornice is typically constructed of plywood or particle board
Face of cornice uses a padding of some type
Inside of cornices are covered in lining
Communicate closely with the workroom regarding measurements
If the cornice is inside mounted, specify cording application method on the work order
Remember to add both returns to face width when figuring width for labor and yardage

Pricing can be: (Check with your current drapery workroom)

Cornice labor is usually priced per linear foot
Linear foot pricing includes face width plus returns
Railroaded fabric will need to be converted into widths in order to find the cost
There is typically a minimum per foot charge
Face width + both returns divided by 12, round up = number of linear feet and also is the billable footage (e.g. 100 + (3.5 × 2 =7) = 107 divided by 12 = 8.91 round to 9)
Add-on items such as banding, cording, cascades, bows, rosettes, etc., are billed as separate items, usually per linear foot or per each.

Tips when Measuring

Measure to mount above the window approximately 6"
Cornices are hard treatments with little or no flexibility. Measure and make allowances accordingly.
Allow face width to extend 1-1/2" - 2" on each side of the under treatment
Allow returns to extend 1-1/2" - 2-1/2" to clear the under treatment
To find the finished length for ceiling mounted:
Take the overall finished length of the window treatment (including under treatments) and divide by 5, then add 2". This will equal your recommended cornice finished length. For example: 108 divided by 5 = 21.6
(round up) = 21.75 + 2 = 23.75". This is the recommended finished length of the top treatment.
To find the finished length for above the window:
Take the overall finished length of the window treatment (including under treatments) and divide by 6, then add 2". This will equal your recommended cornice finished length. For example: 84 divided by 6 = 16.8
(round up) = 17 + 2 = 19". This is the recommended finished length of the top treatment

Kirk Axelson

Precision Draperies Education

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