Blinds and shades are terms that many people use interchangeably, but you may be surprised to know that they are two different types of window which come in a wide variety of styles and with lots of options. When deciding between the two and selecting any type of window treatment you need to consider these factors:
- Privacy & Light Control
- Climate and Natural light
- Architectural Details & Room Décor
- Views
- Cleaning and Maintenance
Blinds are “hard” window coverings, composed of slats or vanes that tumble down the blind as it is lowered or can be pulled across a window to stack lengthwise, to the side. These louvers or slats are individually formed together to create the complete blind and are usually controlled by a manual pull cord. These slats are meant to stay closed tightly for privacy and for light control, but they can also be adjusted or tilted at different angles to allow you to control the amount of light needed.
Wood, Faux-Wood, Woven Wood, Mini Blinds and Vertical Blinds are the most popular “blinds” and are usually made of wood, metal, a composite or a woven grass or bamboo. These materials exude a tactile feeling of hard or bumpy; hence the name, hard window treatments. All of these blinds offer a traditional and classic look and match any decor style–always a handsome, architectural, clean look for your windows.
Shades are “soft” window treatments which are made of materials on a continuous roll to cover a large swath of a window opening, fitting snugly into your window and stacking neatly at the top. Shades are drawn up and down by cords or rolled up with a spring device. Shades have no slats or vanes and offer a smooth look to your windows; hence, they are called soft window treatments as the fabric and feeling of the shade is warm and flowing. Although you cannot adjust for light filtering, as with blinds, you can choose different levels of opacity for light preferences. Roller Shades, Roman
Shades and Cellular Shades are the most popular “shades,” with cellular shades topping the list as a favourite window treatment.
It’s important to consider how much light and privacy you need for your indoor and then from there, you can decide what you need, either Blinds or Shades. Take your time to decide and choose accordingly to get maximum benefits. Remember; choosing the right Blind or Shade can change your indoor decor significantly. Depending on your needs, blinds or shades can provide the window coverage you desire with a style that matches your design taste.
