Stoneside Custom Valance

Different Types of Valances

Updated: 2/11/2026

If you feel like something is missing from the window treatments in your living room, dining room, or bedroom, you may want to consider installing a valance. A valance is a decorative piece of fabric designed to hide the rails and hardware of your window treatments. This stylish add-on offers a polished, put-together look, often found in traditional and contemporary home designs.

Before making the investment, you'll want to explore the types of window valances to find the best solution for your home. Here's everything you need to know.

What is a Valance?

A valance is a decorative fabric installed across the top of the window and paired with a window covering of your choice. There are many benefits to incorporating valances in your home. This includes:

  • Hide Hardware: A decorative valance will hide hardware, rods, and rails from plain sight. This will keep the focus on the window treatment and the space's decor.
  • Make Windows Appear Larger: A valance can make a window appear larger, making it an ideal choice for smaller dining rooms, kitchens, or living rooms.
  • Decorative Appeal: You can get as creative as you want with the fabric, color, and materials. This allows you to get creative with the design in every room in your home.

When exploring types of valances, consider your window dimensions, room size, and overall interior design to ensure you choose a style that complements your space.

The Different Types of Valances

The two most popular valence types are rod-mounted and board-mounted. Here's how the two options compare.

Rod-Mounted Valance

A rod-mounted valance is hung over the window opening, using a curtain rod. This style is less structured, making it great for flowy or lightweight fabrics. It's also easier to install, especially if you want to change out the fabrics with the season. The fabric is designed to either slide onto the rod or to be clipped in place. This is typically seen as a more affordable and casual valance type.

The Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Add depth and dimension with flowy fabrics
  • Versatile design, great for modern, contemporary, and rustic home designs
  • Works well with cellular shades, roller shades, and wooden blinds

The Cons

  • More casual appearance, not ideal for traditional or classic interiors
  • Rods and other hardware may still be visible, depending on the fabric
  • Not ideal for Roman shades or thick drapery panels
Stoneside Custom Rod-Mounted Valance

Board-Mounted Valance

Board-mounted valances are custom pieces of fabric mounted on a board. The board is attached to the top of the window using plywood or medium-density fiberboard. These types of window valances are sleeker, more put-together. However, since the fabric is mounted to a solid wood board, it's less customizable if you want to change the fabric later.

The Pros

  • Structured and tailored appeal, best suited for traditional and professional interior designs
  • Hardware is fully hidden behind the board
  • Works well with roller shades, solar shades, and drapery

The Cons

  • Typically requires professional installation
  • More expensive than a rod-mounted valance
  • Less flexible if you want to change the design later
  • Not ideal for cellular shades
Stoneside Custom Board-Mounted Valance

While a fabric cornice isn't technically a valance, it is a popular alternative for some home designs. Fabric cornices have a construction similar to that of a board-mounted valance. However, they are designed to offer more depth, texture, and contrast to a space. One of the main differences between a fabric cornice and a bouard-mounted valance is that the box is deeper, between 4 and 8 inches deep. A board-mounted valance is only around 1 to 2 inches deep.

The Pros

  • Best for rooms with high ceilings and large windows
  • Designed to hide hardware seamlessly Works well with roman shades or roller shades

The Cons

  • Not ideal for smaller windows or smaller spaces
  • Works best with thicker fabrics
Stoneside Custom Fabric Cornice

Shop Custom-Made Valances With Stoneside

A high-end valance can completely transform your space and provide a professional, put-together finish in every room in your home. At Stoneside, we specialize in custom-made solutions, designed to complement your interior design and favorite window treatments. We offer over 300+ fashionable fabrics in five to six distinct styles. Once we decide on the best valence type for your home, we also provide professional installation services.

Schedule a schedule a free design consultation today to get started.