As they stand, windows are essentially windows in the wall. But add a window covering like shades, blinds or shutters and you suddenly are in control of privacy, the amount of light that is reflected in the space and a more attractive room. When choosing window shades for just one window or the entire house, you’ll need to consider the size and shape of the windows, how you use the room and the amount of sun you’d like to let in and block out.
Blinds can be purchased at the home furnishings stores or home centers, paint and tile stores and through an interior designer. All allow you to see and feel the blinds, and these outlets often provide swatches and samples (for a refundable fee) for you to check out selections at home. If you’re concerned about accurately measuring your windows, decorators, and some retailers will do the job. If the blinds don’t fit well, they’ll put adjustments at no cost.
Blinds purchased through catalogs for mail-order or via phone (many homes magazines feature tiny ads that offer “direct from the manufacturer” prices) means you’re responsible in the exactness of the measurements. If the blinds aren’t fitted properly, it’s your problem. While you’ll save money this way but the quality of blinds can vary; beware of brands that aren’t well-known and inquire if the blinds are first- or second-quality. You may not have the same selection of blinds as you will at a home center. Check out return policies and warranties carefully before purchasing. But before you shop you should know what you want to purchase.
Not Just For Windows
Blinds and shutters are a part of the house that extend beyond windows. Hinged together, tall shutters could be used to create room partitions. Hung from the ceiling, blinds can be used to separate rooms and hide messy laundry and work spaces.
Honeycomb Shades
Made from spun polyester, honeycomb shades are extremely pliable, making them a good option to use on windows of an unique shapes. They are available in single, double , or triple combs (see photo below). These combs not only give the shade their distinct appearance, but they also trap air, making the shades very sound and also thermally insulators. For example, Hunter Douglas’ triple-cell honeycomb is rated at 4.8–at the middle of the shade. Light in weight, honeycombs can be installed vertically or, more conventionally horizontally. They also provide varying levels of control over light. For windows that face west it is possible to keep out light on hot days; if your bedroom is facing east, you may prefer to keep the sun’s early morning rays out of your eyes. For other windows, sheer or translucent shades may be more appropriate.
Sizes for pleats start at about 3/8 inch. and grow to 2 in. With their crisp, tailored lines honeycomb shades look great in contemporary surroundings and in windows with no molding. A lot of people love the soft style of honeycomb shades. They blend in with the wall color However, you can make a dramatic effect by contrasting the shade’s color with walls. If you prefer a more soft shade, opt for a fabric-look and pair them with boldly decorated draperies or an draped Valance.
Horizontal Blinds Horizontal
Although these blinds can be a pain to clear, their louvers with adjustable tilts give you great control over light. The more slats you have per foot, the less light will get across the shutter. Blinds with cord holes on the back of blinds can be closed more tightly. It’s a good feature to consider if want them to be light-tight. As for cleaning, some newer products have a factory-applied antistatic-electricity treatment to keep dust from building up.
The vanes of blinds are available in metal, wood and vinyl, and come in a variety of shades and finishes. Ladders– the nylon lift cords that go through both the edges of the blind– can be left alone or adorned with tapes of decorative design that match with or contrast the blind or interior color scheme.
Horizontal blinds made of faux wood and wood priced higher than vinyl and metal counterparts, are very sought-after these days. They can be found in traditional paneled or rustic-style homes as well as more contemporary spaces. Wood blinds intended to be used in rooms with high humidity are required to be warp and mildew-resistant.
Select the width of the slat that is equal to the dimension of your window. A 1/2- or 1-in. slat will work well for small or average windows, whereas a 2-in. vane is best for bigger windows or for a more striking look. Better blinds have a smaller stack when open; a number of manufacturers offer models with they completely cover the louvers. This is perfect for contemporary interiors.
Window Shadings
A relatively new mix of horizontal and honeycomb blinds The shadings have opaque louvers sandwiched between sheer fabric panels. This lets light through while keeping glare to a minimal. Shadings can be particularly beneficial on windows that face to the east or south. Once the shade is fully reduced, the slats with no ladder can be tilted, opened to filter light and a partial views or closed to provide complete privacy with the cord. With an inside mount, they can be fitted into windows that have arch- or angled-tops.
While they’re stylish, the shades can be adapted to different styles, from informal to formal. They can be hung on their own to create an elegant and refined look. For a more dramatic look it is possible to layer them over curtains, just as you would normal sheers.
Roller Shades
Prior to the introduction of mini-blinds, roller shades were the standard for simple, quick window treatments. While they’re made of translucent fabric and films as well as traditional opaque fabrics, they’ren’t the most effective option when it comes to control of light. The shades are either horizontal or vertical, and has neither direction nor diffusion.
There have been some improvements. The spring-loaded roller of the past is now updated with a clutch mechanism , as well as continuous cord and pulley which allow more precise positioning of the shade with no clumsy snapback. There are now options for installation that include a reverse roll, where the shade material slides across the upper surface of the roll, obscuring the roller and giving it a cleaner look. Shades made of rollers give rooms a homey, retro feeling, reminiscent of a weekend cottage. Prices differ based on the materials used for the shade.
Vertical Blinds
They are most often used to cover sliding glass doors Vertical blinds can also be in good use with tall casement windowsthat are fixed-glass windows or bow windows and also with arched windows and angular ones. A long typecast, which is used as a commercial window covering, vertical blinds can provide a sense of drama to your space with their striking lines. As with any other window treatment They can enhance the height of a room–something to think about should ceilings be low in your home. In vinyl, fabric or even in a match to wallpaper (by sliding strips of the material on its front) vertical blinds offer good air circulation and are an outstanding choice when it comes to shielding against UV radiation, which could be a challenge in south-facing and west-facing windows. The decorative vanes can be inserted into plastic backs that shield them from UV damage and provide a uniform look to passers-by.
Free-hanging slats, loaded with weights at the bottom to ensure they are in order, are an alternative. To hide their hardware, you can cover vertical blinds off by putting on a headrail that matches the vanes.
Shutters
Shutters, with their unique design, bring a lot of character into an area. The width of the slats is much to do with the appearance. Vanes can be as wide as 5 1/2 in. (these are often referred to “plantation shutters”) and even down to 3/4 in. Stained or painted solid-wood versions are the traditional options. The white, smooth louvers, typically constructed of vinyl, look more contemporary, particularly when they’re mounted in an angled- or arch-top-style window. The majority of shutters are flat with their ends cut at 90deg. For something a little more unique, choose slats with rounded ends and beaded and S-shaped blades. With louvers that are adjustable and control rods that can be adjusted to be centered, offset or concealed away from view.
Hinged shutters are typically installed on windows. However, for door treatment they’re usually hung from a track , allowing them to roll or fold away. Framed shutters offer a more polished look to an installation. If you want shutters in an outside of the norm finish or paint be aware that it’s a difficult painting project; Pinecrest offers this service for customers who pay an additional fee. With the low sun levels of winter shutters might block more light than you’d prefer; consider installing them on the lowest portion of your window, rather than its full height. They require little maintenance, a simple dusting will suffice. Shutters can be priced in various ways such as by the square inch or square foot, or by the panel.
Measuring and mounting
If you choose to measure your openings for blinds on your own, you’ll need to first decide to put them in either an inside either outside or inside mount. An inside mount shows off a window’s casing and its form, akin to the distinct look of a bay window. An outside mount can disguise windows that are not equal in size while balancing and unifying their appearance. To ensure that the results are accurate, use a tape measure with a stiff metal rule.
Cord Safety
Aware of the dangers of strangulation accidental caused by control cords hanging from the ceiling, blinds manufacturers have addressed safety issues in several ways. Break-apart tassels, like Hunter Douglas’ Break-Thru (shown) are able to split open when stressed. Another advancement is the single-cord control, where the loop design is cut out. Wand controls can also take the role of loops on cords. The most secure option is a remote-controlled blind that has an automatic-stop feature, similar to that of garage doors. If your blinds don’t have any of these features be sure to put in an upper cleat to stow loose cords out of the reach of young children.
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