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Blinds or Shades? Which Window Treatment is Right for You?
7051134169 • June 1, 2024

Blinds or Shades? Which Window Treatment is Right for You?

What to Consider When Selecting New Window Coverings 


When it comes to window coverings, there are so many options out there it can be overwhelming. So if you are trying to decide between blinds and shades, you’ve come to the right place. Both of these window treatments are very popular and each have their own unique set of benefits for your home. 


In this guide, we’ll be diving into the differences and benefits of both blinds and shades, plus things you should consider when deciding between these two fantastic window treatment options. 


Blinds vs. Shades: What’s the Difference?

It is common for people to use the terms shades and blinds interchangeably. But these are actually two distinct types of window coverings. 


Blinds

Blinds are considered a “hard window treatment” because they are made from rigid materials (wood, faux wood composite, or aluminum). They also have slats that can be tilted to control light filtering. 


Shades

Shades, on the other hand, are considered a “soft window treatment” because they are made of fabric. They only have two positions, open or closed, however, depending on the fabric weave openness, light can filter through while still remaining closed for privacy.


Blinds vs. Shades: What are the Benefits and Downsides of Each?

We touched on this just a bit above when discussing the features and differences of each of these window covering options, but let’s delve into this a bit further.


Blinds

Blinds are perhaps the most popular window covering, and for good reason. You get full light filtering and privacy control thanks to the slatted design. Tilt the slats to an angle and you get gentle light filtering. But you can also tilt them fully open for a nearly unobstructed view and plenty of light. Want a completely unobstructed view? Simply pull your blinds up!


You can also choose from a variety of materials and color/stain options to suit your tastes and home decor style. With wood blinds, you can opt to color match the existing woods in your home. You can also choose cordless or corded. (We recommend cordless for homes with pets or small children, as cords can pose a strangulation hazard.)


Blinds are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Simply dust the slats, cords, and valance to keep your blinds in good working order. Faux wood blinds are great for homes with kids and pets because they are easy to clean; you can even soak them in your tub or take them outside to hose them off! Wood blinds, however, do require a little more upkeep with routine oiling to condition the wood. You also are limited to the rooms you can install wood blinds in. Humidity can warp and discolor wood, so we do not recommend hanging real wood blinds in kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms.


Shades

Shades offer endless variety when it comes to color, pattern, and material/texture. You can opt for bold, colorful patterns or neutral solids. Shades also come in a variety of styles, including roman shades, honeycomb or cellular shades, solar shades, roller shades, pleated shades, sheer shades, and natural woven shades (often made of bamboo or grasses). 


You can also add a liner to the back of your shades, including room darkening or blackout. This makes shades great for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms. Like blinds, you can opt for corded or cordless. The only drawback to the functionality of shades is that they only have two options, open or closed, and do not offer fine-tuning of light control that blinds offer. 


Because shades come in a wide variety of fabric options, cleaning varies. Some fabrics and shade styles are washable, while others are dry clean only. Make sure that you choose a fabric that is right for your needs. Regular dusting with a vacuum and upholstery hose attachment can keep dust at bay. We always recommend spot testing cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous spot, and to never select a fabric that can’t be washed to hang in kitchens, where grease splatters could stain your shades.


Blinds or Shades? What to Consider.

Now let’s talk about what to consider when choosing between blinds and shades. You want to take into account some things about your lifestyle and preferences, so consider these factors when making your decision:

  • Cleaning: blinds can be easily cleaned while shades are a bit more complicated and require different types of care.
  • Durability: because blinds are made of rigid materials, they withstand wear and tear better compared to shades. Faux wood shades are known for their durability! If you have young children or pets, we recommend taking wear and tear into account.
  • Style: both window coverings offer a variety of style options, from classic to modern!
  • Insulation: if energy efficiency is important to you, cellular shades or shades with a blackout or room darkening lining might be right for you.
  • Child Safety: both window treatments offer cordless options; if you have pets or small children, we highly recommend going cordless to help avoid strangulation.
  • Price: the cost can vary for both window coverings depending on style and customizations, however, real wood treatments tend to be the priciest. 


Ready to Buy? Need Help Deciding?

Whether you are ready to buy, or you still need help deciding which window covering is right for you, Elevated Views can help! Our experts help you from design selection to installation, making choosing and installing your new window treatments a breeze! Schedule your free in-home consultation and quote today and we’ll bring the showroom to you! 

By 7051134169 December 2, 2024
Blinds are perhaps the most ubiquitous window treatment out there. And it’s not just because they are what most big-box stores offer. It’s because blinds are amazing and so versatile, especially custom made blinds! Here is why we love blinds and why you should too. 1 | Blinds Give You Full Light Filtering Control With blinds, you get absolute control. If you want as much sunlight as possible, pull the cord up and fully open them. You want to darken your room to watch a movie or go to bed? Fully close and tilt the slats. If you want something in between, then tilt your slats to get just the perfect amount of sunlight. 2 | You Get Enhanced Privacy with Blinds Blinds also deliver enhanced privacy that most other window coverings just don’t have. Because blinds can be completely closed, you get maximum privacy. If you want privacy but still want light filtering, such as in a bathroom, we recommend top-down bottom-up blinds, which will allow you to have the slats closed at the bottom but bring the blinds down from the top to have a bit of your window open for light. You can’t get much more perfect than that! 3 | Blinds are Easy Maintenance Blinds are relatively easy to clean, especially faux wood and aluminum options. Occasional dusting with a damp cloth will keep the slats clean and grime free. Be sure to use a vacuum hose attachment to remove dust from the strings and mechanism to keep your blinds looking like new for years to come. Need a deeper clean? Faux wood blinds can be soaked in the bathtub or hosed off outside. If you opt for real wood, just be sure to oil them once in a while to keep the wood shiny and hydrated. 4 | Blinds Come in Many Styles and Options Blinds offer many different options to choose from including: Slat width (the thinner the slat, the more modern looking they are) Material (aluminum, faux wood, and real wood) Color/stain Horizontal or vertical (vertical is ideal for large windows and sliding glass doors) Regular top down mechanism, or top-down bottom-up mechanism Corded or cordless (we recommend cordless for homes with pets and small children) Adding a cornice or decorative valance to cover the mechanism housing Adding a motor for control at the touch of a button or by voice command 5 | You can Layer Blinds with Soft Treatments Blinds are considered a hard window treatment, which means you can layer them with soft fabric treatments such as custom drapes. This gives a more luxurious feel to your room, perfect for formal living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. This can also maximize light control, privacy, temperature control, and noise control even more than you already get with blinds! Install New Custom Blinds in Your Home with Elevated Views! Elevated Views is your trusted custom window covering company of the Pikes Peak Region! Whether you are looking for faux wood, vertical, real wood blinds, or even blinds for your bay window, we have you covered! Our expert team will help you select the right option for your needs and budget. Schedule your complimentary in-home consultation and quote today and we’ll bring the showroom to you.
By 7051134169 December 2, 2024
Houses come in all shapes and sizes from small one level ranches with small cottage style windows, to multi-level homes with spacious rooms and oversized windows. Add in bay windows, those little octagon-shaped windows, short ceilings, and other oddities, and it can get overwhelming trying to find the right window covering for your needs and budget. But fear not! We’ve literally seen every type of window and style home and there’s always the perfect window treatment for your home, needs, and budget. Here are our top picks for 5 of the most common window and home issues. Issue: Small Windows Small windows may leave you feeling less than inspired when it comes to finding the right treatment. Your canvas isn’t as large here, but it’s possible to work some magic and even make your window feel larger with the right treatment! Our top solutions for small windows are treatments that keep your room feeling light and airy. Some of our favorite coverings for small windows include interior shutters, sheer shades, roller shades, and blinds. Issue: Oversized Windows and Hard-to-Reach Windows Large windows present a weight issue; you don’t want the mechanism housing your window treatment to be too heavy or it will literally rip away from your wall. Hard-to-reach windows shouldn’t be out of your reach for controlling light filtering and privacy either. Our solutions for oversized windows are treatments that offer a lighter housing mechanism, such as vertical blinds, vertical slats, and roller shades. For hard-to-reach windows, we recommend upgrading to a motorized control, which allows you to open and close your window treatment at the touch of a button on a remote control. Issue: Low Ceilings or Small Clearance Above Your Window Low ceilings or a short clearance between the top of your window and your ceiling can bring some challenges. However, there are plenty of window covering options and even tips to help your ceilings appear higher than they actually are. Let’s start with solutions for a small clearance. If you can hang the mechanism inside the window casement, then your problem is solved. But if for some reason you can’t, knowing how much room you have for mounting the mechanism above your window is important. Just be sure that your design center helps you find the right treatment to fit your specs for an outside mount. For short ceilings, we recommend selecting treatments that are more simple, such as blinds, shutters, and fabric shades with simple pleating. Treatments with more voluminous pleats add bulk to the top of your window and can make a ceiling appear heavy and even lower. Another trick is to use vertical stripes to help the walls appear taller. Or you can try an outside mount, hanging the treatment as high as you can above the window (which is great for custom drapes, which can be layered over other hard treatments like blinds or interior shutters). Issue: Casement Windows Casement windows typically hinge open on the side, rather than being opened and closed by pulling or pushing a part of the window up and down. While this has its advantages, it can mean you need to take extra consideration when it comes to window coverings. The best window treatments give you access to the mechanism to easily open and close your window. Some of our favorite options include blinds and interior shutters. Another good option is top-down bottom-up cellular shades. Issue: That Odd-Shaped Window Whether it’s a bay window, an arch, a sidelight, or an octagon, these odd windows can be a problem to cover for privacy and light filtering reasons. Odd shapes present more of a challenge than your basic square or rectangle. The solution is to buy custom window treatments for your odd windows. Custom window treatments are made and cut to fit your exact window dimensions so you won’t have to worry about having a set of mini blinds to cover an octagon-shaped window in your bedroom. There are some treatments that work better for these odd windows. We’ve got an entire article dedicated to these odd and problematic windows that you can check out here. Work with the Best Custom Window Covering Company in the Pikes Peak Region Elevated Views understands that the right window treatment can literally change your point of view! Our no-pressure process is designed to create a fun experience of choosing your new window covering, plus help you find the perfect window treatment for your needs, style, and budget! Check out our family and locally owned business and experience the Elevated difference!
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