Blinds or Shades: Choosing Window Treatments for your Home | Blinds Couture

Choosing Window Treatments for your Home

Having great windows is all well and good. However, it’s incomplete without the right treatments. Choosing window treatments for your home might be tricky, especially when you discover the many options available on the market. When you understand each window treatment’s different functions, you can narrow down your choices. 

Most of you have heard about window blinds and shades as window treatments.  However, how can you be confident that one of these options is the best for your home? It’s time for you to take a deep dive into the details of these window treatment options before you make that purchase.

Blinds vs. Shades: which works best for you?

Blinds

Wood and faux wood blinds are the most practical options for window coverings. These blinds give the appearance of a plantation shutter and are easier to clean because of their larger slats. Fabric to sheer vertical blinds are your best possibilities if you’re looking for something contemporary yet functional to mitigate direct light. 

Wood blinds come in a variety of colors and styles. These blinds are durable, require minimum maintenance, and versatile enough to fit any room design type. 

Faux wood blinds are also cost-effective, easy to clean, and moisture-resistant. They are durable, environment-friendly, and flexible.

Shades

Shades are most efficient to darken your room, give you more privacy, and block sunlight. You can choose from a variety of colors, fabrics, and weaves for your window shades. There are varied types of shades as well, including roller, cellular, and roman shades.

Roller shades are usually the traditional option, fitted onto a roller bar and placed at the top of the window. 

Meanwhile, roman shades are made of fabric evenly stacked when lowered or raised. Roman shades are trending because they are made from lightweight fabric, allowing more natural light into your room. Additionally, you can fully customize your shade so it fits your home’s style and design. 

Another favorite choice is the cellular shade that comes with a variety of decor styles. Cellular shades are an excellent choice for keeping the summertime heat and even the winter cold out of your home. As a result, you save on your energy bill.

5 important features to consider when choosing window treatments for your home

Before you acquire your window treatments, you need to think about their purpose. Here are five important features that you need to consider before purchasing window blinds or shades.

Light blocking properties

You want to ensure that your window coverings function the way you want for each room. Do you want a darker room so you can sleep better at night, or do you need complete privacy? Then window blinds with wider slats will do the job. Your other option would be shades constructed with thicker fabrics because they provide full window coverage while blocking light better. This selection is very suitable if you don’t want to be woken up by the morning light entering your window.

Thermal insulation

Many homeowners deal with keeping their rooms heated during the winter months and keeping heat out during summertime. When you’re considering getting window blinds for your home, think about the thermal insulation value of the type that you choose. With blinds, you can tilt them down to allow more light to come in during cold weather, or you can tilt them away to block the sunlight. While shades might be perfect during the summer, it’s important to note they keep the heat out by blocking the whole window. It’s up to you to decide what look and functionality you want for your home.

Privacy

Different rooms in your home have different privacy needs. The level of privacy you need will also determine the type of window treatments you choose. For example, your bedroom and bathroom require more privacy, so you need shades that block any visual when shut. Meanwhile, for your living room and kitchen, you might need some level of visibility when you’re outside the house. In this case, window blinds are an ideal option.

Cordless operation

Traditional window blind models have a stick on the side to angle the slats and a cord to lift and lower the blinds. Contemporary blinds offer cordless operation, so you don’t need to pull a cord to adjust the slats. For modern blinds, you simply have to pull down the blinds and lock them in place for them to stay down. If you need to lift it again, just unlock it and let it float up to the top, adjusting it if necessary to ensure alignment.

Automatic or manual

You have the option to open or close your blinds manually or operate them using a remote. Modern blinds now come with automatic systems, so you don’t have to get up from your bed to open or close the blinds. This great feature adds a level of convenience that was previously not available. 

Upgrading your home’s interiors can be achieved by simply adding window treatments, either blinds or shades. Contact a knowledgeable team for a professional consultation to assist you in designing, planning, and installing.