Types of Window Blinds: How to know which Window treatment to use

Once you have installed your new windows in your home, the next thing you may be thinking of is the type of window treatment you may want to use in your home.

Window treatments are an essential part of your home and often influence the ambiance of your home. They are grouped into two broad categories, hard and soft window treatments. Hard window treatments use hard materials like wood, vinyl, shades, shutters, while soft window treatments use soft materials such as curtains, sheers, valances, etc.

In this article, we will explain the difference between a window blind and a window shade, you will also learn how to pick the best one that suits your needs as a homeowner.

Understanding the Difference Between Window Blinds and Window Shades

Window blinds and window shades have often been used interchangeably but they are not the same. If you are new to window treatment you may be confused about the difference.

A window blind is made up of slats that can control the entrance of light into your home from the top of the window to the bottom. Window blinds are good because they give you the flexibility to control the amount of light that comes into your home, they also enable you to control your privacy. The slats can act like shutters and are controlled with a cord.

A windows shade however is made from a hard fabric or bamboo material and can be either up, halfway, or down. A cord is usually the control element. It does not allow a top to bottom light control as you find in window blinds.

Window blinds and shades come in a variety of types, here are examples.

Types of Window Blinds

Window blinds come in a variety of formats and are made with different types of materials, here are the types available

1. Wooden blinds

These are blinds made from wooden slats that are usually horizontal and controlled with a cord. Current innovations use remote controls for safety measures. Mostly used in bedrooms and living rooms because of their ability to control room temperature.

2. Vinyl

These are blinds that are made from vinyl materials. These types of blinds can be horizontal or vertical and come in a variety of colors, and sizes.

3. Faux Wooden Blinds

These blinds are made from a composite of PVC, foam wood, and vinyl, they are stained to look like wooden blinds. They are cheaper and often used in kitchens and bathrooms.

Types of Window Shades

While window blinds are great, their variety is limited when compared to window shades, here are the types of window shades available.

Sliding panels: Typically used in large balconies to control light entry, it works as a sliding door would.
Roman Shades: Made up of light filtering fabric that can fold up into large pleats when you want to control the amount of light that comes into your home
Solar shades: Used on large windows to block out UV rays
Roller shades: These are made from a single line of fabric that can roll up into its casing when in use
Natural Shades: These types of shade are made from bamboo, jute, reed, or grass, used typically to for its light-filtering effects, you can roll up the shades to control light entry into your home.
Cellular Shades: Made from 3D honeycombed-shaped cells that are designed to help insulate your home while in use.

Other types of shades include Sheer shades, layered shades, etc.

When deciding what type of blinds and shades you want to use in your home, you should consider the following factors; the amount of light you want in your home, privacy, durability, maintenance, cost, and safety.

Recommendations on Blinds for Black Windows

Black window frames have become more popular and have drawn a lot of debates on what types of blinds should be used on them. Popular deference insists that dark-colored blinds do well with black windows because they align with the already dark windows and also helps to blend the design. When choosing blinds for dark windows, choose one that filters and disperses light in the room evenly.

Most Popular Window Treatments

As a homeowner, you may want to know the most popular window treatments that people use in their homes. According to this research, 39.5% of the window treatment market goes to Blinds and Shades, this is driven by technological advancements such as the use of automatic remote controls for blinds and shades and also light sensors that control the amount of light in a home. By popular demand, these types of Blinds and Shades are in vogue.

Roller Shades
Cordless Blinds
Automatic Blinds
Cellular Shades
Dual shade systems
Roman Shades
Plantation shutters
Layered look

Who sells Window Blinds

Now that you have an idea of what blinds and shades are and their uses, you may be want to know who sells window blinds and where to buy them. There are many places you can buy your blinds from, both online and offline, but the more popular stores in North Texas are

The Shade Store: Located at Preston Royal Dallas Texas, you can book appointments on their website↗
Blind Depot: Located at Pavilions east Shopping center Richardson Texas, you can either order online↗ or request for consultation
Budget Blinds of Southeast Dallas: You can schedule a consultation online↗
Lonestar Blinds and Shutters: Located in Dallas Forth Worth, you can check out their website↗

Window blinds impact the ambiance of your home, it is therefore important that you know what types of blinds you want to install in your home. Getting the right type will not only enhance the value of your home but also help you enjoy your home and get maximum benefit.