In most cases, upgrading a window is not complete without considering the window covering also. Your new hardwood windows look great inside and out, but unless you have no neighbors or a window is made with privacy glass and in a location where no light control is needed, you’ll need some kind of window treatments.
Wooden Window Blinds
Regardless of which style you choose, your selection will have a big impact on the overall look and usefulness of your window.
There are a few broad categories of window treatments to choose from, namely blinds, shades, curtains and shutters, or some combination. After you have chosen a fundamental type of window treatment, there are choices in style and options, and of course price. For all of these decisions, the same primary factors apply.
The sections below are intended to guide you through these considerations to help make the most informed decisions and have the feel and function that you desire, considering the full selection of what is available instead of just what your local decorator may offer.
Shades, Blinds, Curtains and Shutters – Choosing a type of window covering
The overall type of window treatments that you choose may be somewhat of a foregone conclusion. If you are looking for window treatments for a single window and every other window in your home already has horizontal blinds, then you can simply consider styles and options. If your interior style isn’t yet set, we encourage you to consider your style preferences and the functional needs of the window before choosing ‘automatically’.
Identifying your style
The broadest considerations for styling are color, material and construction. Do you already have a color theme for the room? A material selection or a ‘feel’ that the window coverings must integrate with, complement or contrast? Fundamentally, the material selections are: fabric, wood (natural and faux), man-made (fabric-like), natural (bamboo, woods), metal and vinyl.
Materials are specific to a window treatment and are listed here in general:
Material options:
- Fabric options: Roman shades, Curtains
- Wood: Horizontal blinds
- Man-made: Cellular shades, pleated shades
- Natural: Woven wood shades
- Metal: Horizontal mini blinds
Color options are too varied to list-when you are shopping, begin with the feature (color or material) that is most important to you first.
Exterior style
Interior and exterior style do not have to be the same! Some products are available with distinctly different appearances on the inside and outside. Virtually all types of shades are available with a different color on the outside. Typically, roman shades and woven woods have a white or very light color lining available on the outside, or ‘street side’. While blinds are usually uniform on both sides, there are a few aluminum mini window blinds that are available with light colors on one side and a variety on the other (interior side).
Light colors facing the outside have a benefit beyond the aesthetic – since solar energy will be absorbed more by dark colors, a lighter color facing the outside will reduce the heat build up on your windows and in your home.
Energy efficiency
Generally, the window treatments that are the most energy efficient are cellular shades. Cellular shades have air pockets (the cells) that block heat transfer. Also, cellular shades tent to fit snugly in the window frame and do not have gaps like horizontal blinds to. With new, energy-efficient windows, this may be a smaller consideration. Essentially, having great quality windows makes energy efficience a lesser concern and opens up your window treatment options to be more solely based on your style preferences.
Function
The primary function of a window treatment is blocking light, but doing so just the way you like it. Blinds allow variable light blockage and are more than sufficient for light control in most cases. If you prefer shades or have a greater need for privacy, window shades offer privacy linings.
These linings are good for privacy, but not total light blockage. If you want total light blockage, such as for a media room or home theater, you’ll need a shade with a blackout lining.
Options to consider:
* For skylights, arched windows that are high on a wall or simply for luxury, motorized, remote-control is available for many window coverings.
* For households with children and pets, cordless lift is strongly recommended. The cords, especially looped cords, are a proven danger to children and pets and have resulted in recalls and safety warnings from consumer protection agencies. Cordless lift also provides a cleaner look and very simple operation and is normally a no-cost option.
* One type of cordless lift is called top-down, bottom-up. This lift option allows you to open the top of a shade by pulling down in addition to the more common operation of lifting up from the bottom. Often, this is a great way to allow in light without sacrifing privacy.
