article

Choosing Window Treatments: Pros and Cons

By Jaymi Naciri via Realty Times

bluehammer

Deciding on the right size, color, fabric and pillow configuration for your couch took three weeks. You still haven't decided on the paint color for the bedroom, despite having seven different shades of blue in swatches up on the wall. It seems like every design decision you've made in your home was critical, but the one that will help pull it all together hasn't garnered a moment of thought.

"Of all the design decisions homeowners make when decorating a home - paint color, furniture, fabrics, rugs, lighting, accessories - window treatments often get overlooked or receive inadequate attention," said Karen Egly-Thompson on Houzz.

Perhaps it's because choosing the right window treatment is just too overwhelming. These pros and cons will help.

Wood Blinds

These natural wood slats are either painted or stained and are a popular choice for today's homeowners.

Pros:

They come in a variety of stains and paint grades "from light pine to bamboo to richly stained ebony," so they complement "many decorative styles," said Blinds Galore. Also, "their simple construction makes them easy to operate" and different slat sizes mean you can control how much light you want coming through.

bluehammer Blinds Mart

Cons:

Wood blinds can be pricy depending on the material, and can sometimes feel a little uninspired without being layered with another window treatment like drapes.

Faux wood blinds

Faux wood blinds are generally made of vinyl or a composite of vinyl and wood.

Pros:

These blinds offer a similar look and function to real wood, often at a lower cost. They're also super low maintenance, making them a favorite of designers and homeowners, and are great in rooms like kitchens and bathrooms where a high moisture content might warp real wood.

Cons:

They can look cheap depending on the material, and bargain-basement options have been known to have function issues with the cording, so be sure to check the quality before purchasing.

Panel Track Blinds

Panel track blinds are a modern, attractive alternative to vertical blinds and a great choice for sliding glass doors.

Pros:

Panel track blinds allow for light control and privacy without having to resort to vertical blinds.

Cons:

Not as sturdy as some other window treatments.

Plantation Shutters

Shutters are a homeowner favorite, offering an upscale look that can elevate the elegance of a space. They are also among the most expensive window treatments - but well worth it to fans of this classic option.

bluehammer AAA Blinds

"Shutters are dynamic as an architectural statement and are not only functional and beautiful window treatments, but they can also add value to your home," said Blinds Galore. "Shutters help to control incoming light, offer privacy when closed and help to insulate against heat, cold, and sound. Shutters add timeless, traditional sophistication to any room."

Pros:

Shutters offer great light control and insulation and are among a handful of items that can increase the value of a home - a homebuyer might not remember the color of your walls but she will remember if you have shutters.

Cons:

The expense is often beyond that of other window treatments.

Drapes

Hanging drapes can frame windows and bring life to a space - coordinating with furnishings or providing contrast. But color and pattern are just two of the important factors when choosing drapes. Consideration should be given to climate - are you in a warm climate where you need protection from the sun or a cold climate which calls for insulated drapes? Do you have a lot of morning or late afternoon sun, and how much do you want filtering into the room? Do you want a quality fabric that will last for years, or are you the type who wants to update on a regular basis?

"Set aside style considerations for a moment; function comes first and will limit your curtain choices, in a good way," said Real Simple. "If you want treatments that provide privacy or total darkness, you need lined curtains. If you're OK with light filtering through or if your curtains are simply decorative, unlined will work."

Pros:

Drapes are one of the few window coverings that almost anyone can DIY depending on how and where they're being hung. They're also easy to change out seasonally or on a whim and are among the most affordable options for those on a budget.

Cons:

The sheer variety of drapes (pun intended) can also make it challenging to choose the right one, and drapes can sometimes feel not as finished as other options depending on the product chosen and the installation. Layering window coverings and using the drapes for framing instead of function can help.

bluehammer Pinterest

Shades

A variety of shades provide coverage for windows in styles ranging from contemporary to classic to traditional. Options include:

  • Cellular or honeycomb shades
  • Roller shades
  • Roman shades
  • Motorized shades

When installing shades, you'll also want to consider corded or cordless versions, whether to mount them inside the window or out, and have them open from the top or bottom.

bluehammer Harbor View Blinds

Pros:

Offered in a variety of styles, fabrics, and price points, shades can provide everything from temporary, inexpensive coverage for those who have not yet found a permanent window covering solution to custom solutions that bring a sense of grandeur to a space. Motorized shades also provide smart solutions for windows that are out of reach.

Cons:

Shades on the low end of the pricing spectrum can feel cheap with flimsy materials. Some shades can also have an institutional feel.

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


8 Amazingly Easy Tips For A Pet-Friendly Home

For many of us, it's an absolute pleasure to share our homes with our four-legged best friends. But there's no denying that our pets can sometimes lead to wear and tear on our homes. Yet with careful planning and some redesigned elements, we can enhance our house so that it's conducive to our pets and ourselves. If you live with a beloved pet, the following design trends and home-living tips are sure to promote a home that's comfortable for everyone -- and everything -- that lives there.

Find The Right Interior Doors For Your Home

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

10 Ways To Transform Your Trashy Old Furniture Into Standout Pieces

We know. That antique sideboard or set of chairs you got after your grandma died is sentimental, but also completely clashy with every other piece of furniture you own, not to mention out of touch with your general sense of style.

Nontraditional Places to Use Pendant Lights

When you picture pendant lights, where do you see them in a house? Close your eyes and imagine it.

Creative Ways To Keep Your Home Cool Without Running Your Air Conditioning 24-7

Heat wave! Are you feeling it? Are you over it? Are you dreading this month's electric bill that will rival your monthly grocery budget? There are a few tricks that can help you keep cool at home without running your air conditioning all day.

Tips For Selecting An Interior Door

Take a minute to count the number of doors in your house. Surprising, right? Consider then, the impact that a little attention to the doors can have on the overall style and design of your home. Whether you're just moving in or staging for a sale, new doors are a simple way to dramatically update the space. The good news is that there are as many styles of doors as there are doors in your home. Making the decision is the toughest part.

8 Laundry Rooms That'll Make You Want To Fluff And Fold

Let's face it. Laundry is no fun. In fact, it's often counted among our most hated chores. But since running around in stinky, soiled clothes is not an option for most of us, it's gotta get done.

New Windows Changed My House - and My Mind

It was exciting to contemplate city life after living in smaller towns. Apparently, everyone else thought so too, because by the time I decided I liked a house, it was gone from the market.

How To Cut Your Costs Building A Pool

Having a pool can be one of the most enjoyable parts of homeownership, but building it can be an expensive undertaking. "If you're planning to install a pool, be prepared to open your wallet," said US News. "PK Data reports that the average cost of a residential in-ground swimming pool was $39,084 last year."

How To Safely Remove Window Glass

Why would you need to remove glass from your window? In most cases, it's because the glass is cracked or broken, or it is an insulated pane that's no longer sealed properly. Or maybe it's time to upgrade your windows with tinted or smart glass. Professional glass shops can help you choose and size the right glass for the job, but first you'll have to remove the window glass and bring in the sash. If there is a break on a stationary window or the sash and it isn't budging, you may need to hire a professional glass installation expert.

See More Articles